The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore and the Birthplace Ranch in Oologah are preparing to reopen on Monday, June 1, after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the museums will be open to visitors, all Oklahoma Historical Society-sponsored events have been canceled or postponed through July 31.
“Special sanitation measures will be taken for the reopening,” said Tad Jones, executive director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and Birthplace Ranch. “The Children’s Museum will remain closed for now, but we hope to reopen it soon.”
For those unable to personally come to the Memorial Museum or Birthplace Ranch, visits to the galleries and the house where Will Rogers was born are featured through 60-second presentations by Andy Hogan, a Will Rogers interpreter and museum tour guide, on the Will Rogers Memorial Museum’s Facebook page. Also available on the museum’s Facebook page are educational activities and crafts by Stephanie Hunter, the museum’s activities and education coordinator, with help from Hands-On Historian volunteers.
Please visit www.willrogers.com for announcements about special events including the August 15 Will Rogers & Wiley Post Fly-In at the Birthplace Ranch and information regarding entries in the second annual Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival, scheduled to coincide with the celebration of Will Rogers’ birthday on November 4.
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum and the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch are divisions of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
