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Michael has a BA in History & American Studies and an MSc in American History from the University of Edinburgh. He comes from a proud military family and has spent most of his career as an educator in the Middle East and Asia. His passion is travel, and he seizes any opportunity to share his experiences in the most immersive way possible, whether at sea or on the land.

Part of our in-depth series exploring the forts of Comancheria

Picture of the Will Rogers Museum
Will Rogers Museum
Will Rogers Memorial Museum
1720 West Will Rogers Boulevard
Claremore, Oklahoma 74017
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 157
Claremore, Oklahoma 74018-0157
918.341.0719
800.324.9455 Toll Free
918.343.8119 Fax
[email protected] E-mail
Museum Construction

The 16,652-square-foot, eight-gallery museum was built of fossilized limestone quarried nearby. Opened in 1938, the main building was financed by a $200,000 appropriation by the Oklahoma Legislature. The east wing was added in 1982 using additional legislative appropriations. During the 1990-95 period, the entire museum was remodeled with $3 million in private and public funds.

The Site

The museum frames the family tomb in the sunken garden. Spread across the southern horizon is the Tiawah Valley. The twenty-acre museum grounds, purchased by Will Rogers in 1911 for $500 an acre, was his planned retirement home site. Following his untimely death, his widow and children donated the land, along with great parts of the collection.

Picture of Will Rogers
Will Rogers
The Library

The 2,400-square-foot library serves as offices for the staff of the Will Rogers Memorial. Research space also is available for scholars and writers. Included in the library are more than 2,000 volumes by, about or referencing Will Rogers, in addition to texts on Indians, vaudeville, early motion pictures and the 1879-1935 era.

The Archives

The carefully protected archives, the world's largest collection of documents related to Will Rogers, include 18,000 photographs and thousands of original manuscripts, private letters, contracts and personal papers.

Exhibits:

* Will Rogers' artifacts
* Memorabilia
* Saddle collection
* Photographs and manuscripts depicting a career as
   Trick roper
   Vaudeville and Ziegfeld Follies performer
   Movie star
   Radio commentator
   Syndicated newspaper columnist
   Author and philosopher
* Rogers family tomb
* Research library and archives

Hours of Operations

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., March through mid-November. Museum is open during the rest of the year but closes Monday/Tuesday and is also closed for Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Admissions

$7 for adults, $5 for 62+, $5 for military members, $3 for 6-17, under 5s are free. Inquire for school and tour group rates.

Related Links
Will Rogers Memorial Museum
Will Rogers Web Site


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