Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 29.019 W 097° 31.558
14S E 633716 N 3927678
This is a high-tech, interactive museum telling Oklahoma's story through its people.
Waymark Code: WMANJY
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 02/04/2011
Views: 3
Built in 1926 by the Mid-Continental Life Insurance Company, this beautiful building which was placed on the National Register in 1979 (#79002009) was purchased by the Oklahoma Heritage Association in 2001. It was renovated in 2004 with funding from philanthropists Boone Pickens and Edward L. Gaylord and on May 10, 2007, 80 years to the date when first opened, it re-opened as the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.
The museum entrance is on the north side of this building. But be sure to walk around to the main South entrance to enjoy the beauty of this building. It stands as a monument to the prosperity and forward thinking in Oklahoma during the boom days of the 1920s, which is part of the theme of this museum.
This is a four-story Neoclassic building, designed by the well-known and prolific architects, Layton, Hicks and Forsyth. Above the formal entrance on the South side are the words "MID-CONTINENT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY" are carved into the limestone. Above the double-door is the date "1926."
This museum has many permanent exhibits, including a touch-screen, interactive tour through the lives of Oklahomans like Reba McEntire, Wiley Post and Shannon Lucid. There is also a booth set up to encourage visitors to share their own Oklahoma memories.
Special exhibits come to the museum for three to four months at a time. One of the current exhibits at this posting time highlights Greg Burns, an Oklahoma artist disabled with muscle and joint disease, who paints and draws with his hand, and with his teeth.
The museum's website is very informative and includes several videos describing the offerings of the museum.
Space in the building is available for rent by individuals. A large meeting/classroom, seating 50; a hall for receptions, seating 300; and a grand hall which makes a wonderful wedding venue. There is an online store featuring many Oklahoma-related gifts. The museum can also be accessed through Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.
Museum Phone: 405-235-4458 or 888-501-2059
Online are links to contact various members of the museum staff.
The museum hours are:
Sun-Mon - Closed
Tue-Fri 9-5
Sat 10-5
Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Dad, Thanksgiving, New Years Day
Museum Costs:
Adults: $7
Senior over 62: $5
Students (6 to 17): $5
Children under 5: Free
Theme:
Oklahoma History through its People
Street Address:
1400 Classen
(N.W. 13th and Shartel)
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Food Court: no
Gift Shop: yes
Hours of Operation:
See narrative
Cost: 7.00 (listed in local currency)
Museum Size: Large
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
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