GILCREASE MUSEUM
In a unique partnership, the Gilcrease Museum (located about an hour and a half from the metro) is owned by the City of Tulsa and cared for by the University of Tulsa. As a result, the Gilcrease owns the largest public holdings of American West art as well as hundreds of pieces representing Indigenous cultures from across North and South America. But it might surprise you to know the museum also houses a collection of manuscripts, photographs, maps and rare books related to the history of North America from the 15th to the 20th centuries. The diverse archive includes a certified copy of the Declaration of Independence signed by Benjamin Franklin and an authorized edition of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln as well as beautifully illustrated personal letters. The Gilcrease possesses more than 350,000 objects in its permanent collection, many of which have been digitized for families to interact with online. Museum staff has crafted a fun way for kids to explore art virtually, which is a great way to get your kids excited about an upcoming visit. “Our Seek and Find activities encourage kids to look closer,” explained Alison Rossi, director of learning and community engagement.
A “Where’s Waldo” type hunt sets the focus on the often overlooked details, and is a great way for parents to engage kids while inside the museum, too! Rather than racing through the collections, families can slow down and search for the treasures tucked away by the artist. “The educational goal is to get people to look closer, to imagine and wonder,” said Rossi. “Kids are really great at that.” Another fun feature at the Gilcrease is scavenger hunts that lead families on self-guided adventures both inside and outside the museum. The Gilcrease sits on 460 acres with curated gardens that complement the museum’s collections by mirroring styles and techniques from the American West. The scavenger hunts change seasonally and often coordinate with monthly themes and exhibitions. “We have wonderful grounds for children and families to explore,” said Rossi. “Our upper grounds gardens have picnic tables and lots of places to hang out and run around. Adjacent to the museum is Stuart Park, and it's a great place to see wildlife and enjoy nature. I've seen lots of deer, a blue heron and many turtles and frogs. You can see a beautiful view of the Osage Hills from Stuart Park.”
DON’T MISS On display until late February, Landscapes on Fire: Paintings by Michael Scott highlights elemental forces of nature and the fragile beauty of the land. An ongoing rotating exhibition called Americans All! showcases paintings and sculpture by first generation immigrant artists, including those from the Tulsa area. PLAN YOUR VISIT The Gilcrease is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is $8 for adults and children under 18 are free. The museum is open with limited capacity and visitors are encouraged to make reservations in advance at gilcrease.org. The gardens and park areas are free and open to the public from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
42 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2020
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