The Gilcrease Museum is one of Tulsa’s most fascinating cultural attractions. Come to this sprawling museum, housed within beautiful ornamental gardens, to spend hours perusing its extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, rare books and more. Home to over 12,000 significant artworks of the American West, the museum is among the most important of its kind anywhere in the world.
Walk the galleries of the museum and marvel at the fact that this vast collection sprang from the personal belongings of one man. Thomas Gilcrease founded the museum in 1949 as a home for the many pieces of art he owned. Gilcrease came from humble beginnings. After discovering oil on his land, he became a wealthy businessman who had the opportunity to travel widely. It was during his time in Europe that he realized he had a passion for art and started the collection that would turn into the museum.
The number of items owned by the museum is immense and only a small amount can be displayed at any one time, with the collections regularly updated and rotated. See works by famed artists of the American West including Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt, Olaf Seltzer and Joseph Henry Sharp.
Look for particularly notable pieces, such as the 18 bronze sculptures created by Frederic Remington, the iconic sculpture Sacred Rain Arrow by Allan Houser and the world’s only remaining handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
Uncover the fascinating history of the American West as you explore the museum’s rich collection of Native American art. Gain a deeper insight into the historical and social context of the art on display as you view some of the 250,000 archaeological and ethnographical pieces owned by the museum.
Drive to the Gilcrease Museum from downtown Tulsa in less than 10 minutes. Be prepared to spend several hours here, viewing the collections, wandering the lovely grounds and relaxing at the museum’s welcoming restaurant.
