Gilcrease Museum
Gilcrease Museum, in Tulsa, OK, is known for one of the biggest and broadest collections of American West art anywhere, along with a growing set of Central and South American art and artifacts. It carries the name of Thomas Gilcrease, a Muscogee Creek oilman who founded it and gave it to the city. It lies about 2 miles off the old road, northwest of downtown, and suits travelers who love Western art and history.
What is Gilcrease Museum?
The museum's official name describes it as an institute for American history and art. Its core is American West art, gathered on a scale few museums match. Alongside it is an expanding collection from Central and South America.
There is also a serious research side. The Helmerich Center, a research wing added in 2014, gives scholars a secure archive of over 100,000 items, among them books, maps, documents and unpublished papers gathered by the museum over the years.
History of Gilcrease Museum
Records give 1943 as the museum's founding year. Thomas Gilcrease, the oilman behind it, handed the collection, the building and the land over to Tulsa's city government in 1958. Starting July 1, 2008, the city and the University of Tulsa have run it together in a public-private partnership. The research wing was added in 2014.
Visiting Gilcrease Museum: tips
The museum lies about 2 miles off the old road, northwest of downtown Tulsa. Plan on two hours or more if you like to linger with paintings, and leave some time for the grounds outside. Restrooms are on site, it is listed as wheelchair accessible and it is considered kid-friendly. Check its website before going, as programs and access can change.
The Woody Guthrie Center is about 2 miles away and the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame about 2.1 miles away, both downtown. The Cities Service Station No. 8 is about 2.7 miles off.
Practical info
- Address
- Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N Gilcrease Museum Rd, Tulsa
- Phone
- +1 918-596-2700
- Website
- gilcrease.org
- Hours
- We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Gilcrease Museum
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
Full mapGilcrease Museum with the 6 closest stops and a place to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.
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Stops near Gilcrease Museum
All of Oklahoma
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3.2 mi from Gilcrease Museum
Questions about Gilcrease Museum
What is Gilcrease Museum known for?
Its very large collection of American West art, plus a growing Central and South American collection.
Who was Thomas Gilcrease?
A Muscogee Creek oilman who founded the museum and gave its collection, building and land to Tulsa in 1958.
Own or run Gilcrease Museum? Send us a photo or a correction.