Tulsa Museums

[RecycleMichael]

Let's do a children's museum!

How about the Abundant Life building?

[Mrs.B]

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.

[pmcalk]

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.

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

Let's do a children's museum!

How about the Abundant Life building?

Great minds think alike[].

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote: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.

[LilMikey]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

Let's do a children's museum!

How about the Abundant Life building?

Stuffed children on exhibit?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote: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.

[PonderInc]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

quote: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).

[pmcalk]

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.

[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.  


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.

[pmcalk]

quote: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.

[Conan71]

quote: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?

[si_uk_lon_ok]

quote: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.

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by si_uk_lon_ok

quote: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?

[si_uk_lon_ok]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

quote:Originally posted by si_uk_lon_ok

quote: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.