What kind of museums do you think Tulsa is missing?
Natural History Museum
Museum of Modern Art
Native American Museum of History
Oil Capitol of the World Museum
City/County History Museum
The list goes on
I'd love to see a city history museum. Thanks to Tulsan Beryl Ford we have a great collection of all things Tulsa. Why do I keep thinking that the Tulsa Historical Society would have a Tulsa museum in their new digs by Woodward Park?
My top pick would be a Modern Art museum. The old abundant life building downtown would make a great place for one. It has a fun style, great visibility,plenty of parking, and would bring people downtown. Bit of some retrofittng, add some windows where some of those diamond shapes are and you would be set. The building just "looks" like a modern art museum.
Either that or get one of those huge old manufacturing buildings that are just NE of downtown.
I also like the idea of a Natural History Museum.
I had never thought of an Oil Capitol Museum, it could focus on Tulsa and its heyday, give people a sense of what things were like here during that time. A lot of newer people to the area dont have a clue. It may not have lasted long but those times were quite amazing. Perhaps instilling a sense of what Tulsa was, it can lend a sense of uniqueness and direction for what it can be. That identitiy/branding thing. Those people had a collective dream and ideal for where they wanted this city to go. We have lost that. When Alice was lost and asked the Cheshire cat which way she should go, the cat asked her where she wanted to go. Alice said "I dont care where, anywhere is fine." The cat replied "Well it doesnt matter which way you go then does it?" Sounds like Tulsa, no identity, no direction.
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My top pick would be a Modern Art museum.
That would be my top pick as well despite the fact I really dislike most modern art. Frankly a lot of it is just crud that could easily be duplicated by a kindergartener. I went to the IMA about a month ago and strolled around the modern art section. One of the exhibits was a piece of yarn strung from the floor to the wall. I was like pancakes is that! Another exhibit was oddly shaped brightly colored foam core. I mean come on, what is that!
I think Tulsa could also benefit from a hands on children's museum and a Tulsa history museum.
I'll tell you one thing... the city museum would not be difficult to do. I worked as an interviewer for Greenville County's museum in South Carolina. That town managed to get the money to build their own museum (390,000 in the entire county... keep in mind that their county is almost twice the size of Tulsa County), so it shouldn't be that hard for Tulsa to do the same. Honestly, any of the suggestions I have made I would love to see show up in Tulsa.
Definitely a children's science museum... Has anyone ever been to Enterprise Square(??) in OKC. A museum about capitalism - I remember going there as a kid and thinking it was the coolest!
Is there such a thing as a country music hall of fame? Oklahoma has definitely had its share of country music stars.
Anyone remember the Harmon (sp) Science Center? Why didn't it last?
Nashville has had a Country Music Hall of Fame for a few years now. I went there in 2004.
^ Yeah the Tulsa Historical Museum is quite nice in its new digs by the garden center. They had an interesting exhibit the last time I went about Tulsa's history as a French fur trading outpost in the 18th century.
In order of importance...
1. Modern/Contemporary Art Museum - somewhere downtown in an innovative structure. Nothing huge and it would need a niche and some large private donations.
2. Science Museum - again downtown in a modern building. Something like the old Harmon Science Center but better. Exhibits about energy and aerospace and its history/science would be cool and could be sponsored by local companies.
3. Architecture/Art Deco Museum - renovate the first and second floors of one of the old Art Deco gems downtown into museum space. It wouldn't have to be all about Art Deco but architecture in general and the different styles not only in Tulsa but the U.S. as a whole.
Why put these downtown? Downtown has the most hotel rooms and if we want to attract more retails and restaurants visitors (and Tulsan's) need attractions. Unique museums like these make great urban attractions. Our other two museums, Philbrook and Gilcrease, are not far either.
I like the idea of a Modern art museum and an Art-Deco museum being downtown. But, how about having a Science museum near the Air and Space museum and Zoo to help build a concentration of "complimentary" sites in that area as well? A Natural History museum would do well in both the Downtown or the Zoo area.
I like the idea of a Modern art museum and an Art-Deco museum being downtown. But, how about having a Science museum near the Air and Space museum and Zoo to help build a concentration of "complimentary" sites in that area as well? A Natural History museum would do well in both the Downtown or the Zoo area.
I think that a modern art/art deco center could be combined and that the current central library is a good location and building for such a center.
Tulsa still needs a new central library and the current central library is a pretty cool building, or would be fully restored. Nice placement too near the arena and the proposed "Mayo Place"
I saw that this time last year there was some discussion of the need for a childrens museum. This is a must for Tulsa and I am ready to get together with other who want it to make it happen. Anyone?
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Originally posted by Mrs.B
I saw that this time last year there was some discussion of the need for a childrens museum. This is a must for Tulsa and I am ready to get together with other who want it to make it happen. Anyone?
I agree on a childrens museum. The Omniplex in OKC is getting tossed by the wayside due to lack of updates. A children's sciene & hisotry museum would be nice. Put it on the west bank, soth of 21st street. I would like to see it jut out over the river (observation deck) and possibly even have a portion where you can walk or ride an elevator into the river.
Let's do a children's museum!
How about the Abundant Life building?
I saw in my researching that Stillwater is going to have one in 2007. DO you think that is too close to home?
Look at the website, childrensmuseums.org. I think this is a good place to start. You can see how the Stillwater museum came into being and how they went about promoting it.
We need to figure out how big or small we want to be. Maybe we don't go huge at first but build up to that. I think it needs to be highly interacive wth exhibits that change at least every 3 months but with some that are more permanant.
Another good site to check out is:
http://www.astc.org/conference/index.htm
It has information about science museums throughout the country. Interestingly, there are not many science museums that are dedicated to energy. From what I saw, Oak Ridge is the only city with one, and it deals primarily with nuclear energy. Actually, Oak Ridge recieves money from the Dep't of Energy for its museum. Perhaps there are federal dollars available for another energy museum. Either way, I would imagine there are companies here in Tulsa that might be willing to donate to such a museum.
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Originally posted by recyclemichael
Let's do a children's museum!
How about the Abundant Life building?
Great minds think alike[;)].
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Originally posted by sgrizzle
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Originally posted by Mrs.B
I saw that this time last year there was some discussion of the need for a childrens museum. This is a must for Tulsa and I am ready to get together with other who want it to make it happen. Anyone?
I agree on a childrens museum. The Omniplex in OKC is getting tossed by the wayside due to lack of updates. A children's sciene & hisotry museum would be nice. Put it on the west bank, soth of 21st street. I would like to see it jut out over the river (observation deck) and possibly even have a portion where you can walk or ride an elevator into the river.
Possibly the most beautiful view of the river at that point. And easy access. However, the depth there is quite shallow. The area due West of there is public works land and would also be a good location.
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Originally posted by recyclemichael
Let's do a children's museum!
How about the Abundant Life building?
Stuffed children on exhibit?
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Originally posted by waterboy
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Originally posted by sgrizzle
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Originally posted by Mrs.B
I saw that this time last year there was some discussion of the need for a childrens museum. This is a must for Tulsa and I am ready to get together with other who want it to make it happen. Anyone?
I agree on a childrens museum. The Omniplex in OKC is getting tossed by the wayside due to lack of updates. A children's sciene & hisotry museum would be nice. Put it on the west bank, soth of 21st street. I would like to see it jut out over the river (observation deck) and possibly even have a portion where you can walk or ride an elevator into the river.
Possibly the most beautiful view of the river at that point. And easy access. However, the depth there is quite shallow. The area due West of there is public works land and would also be a good location.
Ahh..
I think it would be nice for people to have an idea of what the water looks like. Dirt, occasional fish. Rather them see it via a museum than jump in.
Now an underwater pedestrian bridge, THAT would be cool. (And pricey) but you would have to build it near a low-water dam so you could keep it underwater.
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Originally posted by pmcalk
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Originally posted by recyclemichael
Let's do a children's museum!
How about the Abundant Life building?
Great minds think alike[;)].
OK, so RM got me thinking about a children's museum the other day. So, of course, I woke up at 3:00 AM (thanks, RM) with the following idea:
Let's say the Drillers move to the East End in a few years. This would free up space where the current stadium is located. What if we put a children's museum there...along with a really cool community-built playground/park space. (If you've ever seen that amazing playground in Enid, you know what I'm talking about. Here's the architect that specializes in these projects: http://www.leathersassociates.com/index.html where they let children do the brainstorming/visioning, they do the designing, and the community does the building.) Then, you could tie in with Big Splash and Bell's, and it would be centrally located to all areas of town. You could even have pony rides near the museum/playground/park (easy access to the stables at the fairgrounds).
Just to clarify, IMO, what Tulsa needs is a Science Museum, not a children's museum. While I would appreciate either, a science museum is more age-inclusive. A children's museum generally is aimed at elementary school kids, a place where most teenagers wouldn't be caught dead in. Its hands-on, of course, but not necessarily related to science--it can be art-centered, play-centered, etc.... An example of a children's museum would be the DC Children's Museum.
A science museum, on the other hand, is generally geared at slightly older kids, though the displays are such that younger children can enjoy it as well. The are intended to further scientific concepts in a interactive environment. Some of my favorite science museums include the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, New York's Museum of Natural history, and the Smithsonian Air & Space museum.
Anyway, I would love to see a science museum in Tulsa--more specifically an Energy museum. Not just oil & gas, but an museum on energy in all of its forms--human, alternative, etc... While a Children's musuem would be nice, a museum devoted to energy (something that no other city has) could actually be a destination point--not something you see anywhere else. And it could spur Tulsa's future as a city with "a new kind of Energy."
The fairground would be a good location, as would Mohawk park. Still, my choice would be in the Abundant Life building--I like the location and I like the idea of saving a building while creating something fantastic for the city.
I would love to see a science museum with emphasis on energy or geology in the zoo or on the same campus as the air and space museum. I think all of those things compliment each other and would anchor those areas as more of a destination and educational opportunity for school field trips.
I think a great museum for downtown would be a Modern Art Museum.
Went to the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art a while back. They have an impressive collection and it is well done. My only complaint is that it needs some paintings, some color, felt kind of depressing without that kind of art.
Keep forgetting to check out the Richardson Asian Art Museum. I wish it were in a better location. Wouldn't it be great to have that collection in an authentic looking pagoda style building where that vacant lot is south of Philbrook. They could have beautiful asian gardens that flow down towards Philbrooks gardens. What a great compliment and would make for a full half day of enjoyment.
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Originally posted by TheArtist
I would love to see a science museum with emphasis on energy or geology in the zoo or on the same campus as the air and space museum. I think all of those things compliment each other and would anchor those areas as more of a destination and educational opportunity for school field trips.
I think a great museum for downtown would be a Modern Art Museum.
Went to the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art a while back. They have an impressive collection and it is well done. My only complaint is that it needs some paintings, some color, felt kind of depressing without that kind of art.
While I would like to see a Science/energy museum anywhere, I don't think that placing it near the zoo or the air & space museum is necessary. Not that it would be bad, but I don't think museums, like restaurants & bars, require some sort of critical mass to be successful. Usually, when you go to a museum, provided it's a decent size museum, you do so with the expectation of remaining the entire time at one museum. Rarely do I museum hop with my kids.
My hope would be for a science museum that becomes a significant attraction, which is why I would like it downtown. I would love to see people coming from out of town to the museum, and then walking through a (soon-to-be) vibrant downtown. Maybe shopping a little, getting lunch or dinner, etc.... Unfortunately, Mohawk and vicinity have very little to offer outside a great zoo and air & space museum.
A modern art museum would be good downtown, too, though it could work near Philbrook or Gilcrease as well.
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Originally posted by TheArtist
My top pick would be a Modern Art museum. The old abundant life building downtown would make a great place for one. It has a fun style, great visibility,plenty of parking, and would bring people downtown. Bit of some retrofittng, add some windows where some of those diamond shapes are and you would be set. The building just "looks" like a modern art museum.
Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!
Sorry I missed this when it was first posted. Definitely not practical for an office building, but how many windows do you need in a museum anyhow?
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Originally posted by Johnboy976
Native American Museum of History
I really like this idea. I think Tulsa has the potential to house a museum that really could become the national collection for Native American history and artefacts. It could be combined with the sizable collection at the Gilcrease and could extend to a history of all the Native Americans including the Aztecs, Mayans and more. I bet we could get some amazing stuff on loan for it from other museums in central and South America.
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Originally posted by si_uk_lon_ok
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Originally posted by Johnboy976
Native American Museum of History
I really like this idea. I think Tulsa has the potential to house a museum that really could become the national collection for Native American history and artefacts. It could be combined with the sizable collection at the Gilcrease and could extend to a history of all the Native Americans including the Aztecs, Mayans and more. I bet we could get some amazing stuff on loan for it from other museums in central and South America.
Was this what was invisioned for the Native American Culture Center that was suppose to be on Turkey Mountain?
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Originally posted by pmcalk
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Originally posted by si_uk_lon_ok
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Originally posted by Johnboy976
Native American Museum of History
I really like this idea. I think Tulsa has the potential to house a museum that really could become the national collection for Native American history and artefacts. It could be combined with the sizable collection at the Gilcrease and could extend to a history of all the Native Americans including the Aztecs, Mayans and more. I bet we could get some amazing stuff on loan for it from other museums in central and South America.
Was this what was invisioned for the Native American Culture Center that was suppose to be on Turkey Mountain?
Maybe, I've never heard of that though.
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Originally posted by pmcalk
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Originally posted by TheArtist
I would love to see a science museum with emphasis on energy or geology in the zoo or on the same campus as the air and space museum. I think all of those things compliment each other and would anchor those areas as more of a destination and educational opportunity for school field trips.
I think a great museum for downtown would be a Modern Art Museum.
Went to the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art a while back. They have an impressive collection and it is well done. My only complaint is that it needs some paintings, some color, felt kind of depressing without that kind of art.
While I would like to see a Science/energy museum anywhere, I don't think that placing it near the zoo or the air & space museum is necessary. Not that it would be bad, but I don't think museums, like restaurants & bars, require some sort of critical mass to be successful. Usually, when you go to a museum, provided it's a decent size museum, you do so with the expectation of remaining the entire time at one museum. Rarely do I museum hop with my kids.
My hope would be for a science museum that becomes a significant attraction, which is why I would like it downtown. I would love to see people coming from out of town to the museum, and then walking through a (soon-to-be) vibrant downtown. Maybe shopping a little, getting lunch or dinner, etc.... Unfortunately, Mohawk and vicinity have very little to offer outside a great zoo and air & space museum.
A modern art museum would be good downtown, too, though it could work near Philbrook or Gilcrease as well.
When I think of downtowns and museums It usually conjures up either modern art or a Natural History Museum in my mind. So perhaps a Natural History Museum that has a section for children and energy/geology. Or the best scenario for a science museum at the planetarium, would be for them to be connected, not down the block a ways so you are not really museum hopping but just enjoying different sections of a larger museum. Our air and space museum is new and fairly small but with the added interest of a science museum it could become a bigger attraction. Either way, an expanded Natural History museum downtown or adding on to the air and space museum would be great. It just seems that Tulsa is unlikely to have any of those museums be huge attractions so combining a couple of similar things together would make that one destination more interesting and attractive vrs having lots of small, so so museums that you can walk through in an hour or two.
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Originally posted by si_uk_lon_ok
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Originally posted by pmcalk
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Originally posted by si_uk_lon_ok
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Originally posted by Johnboy976
Native American Museum of History
I really like this idea. I think Tulsa has the potential to house a museum that really could become the national collection for Native American history and artefacts. It could be combined with the sizable collection at the Gilcrease and could extend to a history of all the Native Americans including the Aztecs, Mayans and more. I bet we could get some amazing stuff on loan for it from other museums in central and South America.
Was this what was invisioned for the Native American Culture Center that was suppose to be on Turkey Mountain?
Maybe, I've never heard of that though.
This is what I was referring to:
http://www.vision2025.info/category.php?mode=&category=americanindianculturalcenter,
http://www.indianmonument.org/
I don't know what the status is with respect to fundraising.
Has anyone been to City Museum in St. Louis? If you haven't, its kind of a funky giant adult jungle gym interactive art gallery. I know it sounds strange but its very cool and a lot of fun. Check it out at http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp
I'd like to see us create something like City Museum in Tulsa. Not a replica, but along those lines with a mix of elements that reflect our city history and culture. It could include science, natural history, stuff about oil production, Indian and pioneer heritage, architecture and Modern Art all in one big imaginative interactive package.
I'm sure the more creative people in town could make it something amazing, and much more unique than a traditional museum dedicated to any one of those subjects.
BTW, I like the idea of using the Abundant Life Building for any of the museums being suggested.
^Wow that St Louis Museum is like a breath of fresh air that breaks the traditional mold for museum/entertainment/dining. Its a wild, quirky, whimsical, educational, fun jumble of so many things. You could definitely take that idea, pump it up and run with it in so many directions.