Up and Running
Brandi Glasscock from Collinsville was among the first to try out the new Enhanced Tour dimension added to Will Rogers Memorial Museum as she checks out a replica of Will’s Study in California. She brought Colorado relatives to visit the Museum and was able to get a new awareness of Will.
“Say, if you want to visit the most beautiful country in the United States, don’t overlook these Ozark Mountains. In these are where I grabbed off my only wife. So you will pardon me for bragging on Arkansas.” – Will Rogers Daily Telegrams, February 22, 1927
You are about to enter into a new dimension. An “Enhanced Tour” of Will Rogers Memorial Museums brings a new level of reality or information to visiting the Claremore Memorial and Oologah Birthplace Ranch.
The voice of Michael Wallis, author of “Rt. 66 – the Mother Road” and voice of the Sheriff in Disney Pixar movie “Cars”, narrates a tour of the Museum starting in the West Gallery through the Final Journey of the American Cowboy Philosopher.
Using an electronic device, areas of the Museums are marked with “Stop” numbers to provide audio information and additional images and other content. There are 16 enhanced features throughout the Museum. The “Enhanced Tour” can also be accessed from the website, www.willrogers.com and people can take the tour anytime.
Each month people come from most of the United States and many foreign countries to learn more about Will Rogers. Now, through use of smart devices, they can see what he had to say about their own state or country.
“Will commented about every state and many countries,” said Tad Jones, Museum executive director. “He was aware of their politics and their surroundings and shared them in his writings. The new ‘Enhanced Tour’ will allow visitors to search their state or country and read what Will had to say about them and hopefully have a new connection with him.”
An “Enhanced Tour” brochure is available at the Museum entry with a map and numbers for various galleries and stops.
“This program will be ever changing and expanding as we add more content to each page and visitors will really enjoy listening to Michael Wallis’ voice as he gives a personal tour,” said Jones.
The audio tour was recorded at 3CG Records and with the help of Taylor Hanson, co-founder and a multi-Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee from Tulsa.
(Editor’s Note: Will Rogers Memorial Museums are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Nov. 11-Feb. 28, closed Monday and Tuesday. Visit willrogers.com for additional information.)
