The History of Gilcrease Museum
Located northwest of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Gilcrease Museum serves as a repository for a vast collection of American history and art. Also known as the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, the institution originated from the personal efforts of Thomas Gilcrease. A member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, Gilcrease was an oilman and art collector who amassed a significant assembly of works and artifacts. The museum bears his name.
The transition of the collection from a private holding to a public institution occurred in 1958, when the property and its contents were deeded to the City of Tulsa. This act ensured the preservation of the materials within a permanent setting. Since July 1, 2008, the management of the site has been handled through a public-private partnership between the City of Tulsa and the University of Tulsa.
The Legacy of Thomas Gilcrease
The collection amassed by Thomas Gilcrease represents a massive accumulation of history and material culture. Throughout his life, he gathered more than 10,000 artworks, alongside 250,000 Native American artifacts. This assembly is accompanied by 100,000 rare books and documents. Among these papers is the only surviving certified copy of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1954, facing significant financial pressure due to declining oil prices, Gilcrease made a decisive choice to preserve the integrity of his holdings. He offered to sell the entire collection as a single unit to prevent it from being dispersed. This effort to keep the assembly intact was successful through the intervention of the local community. A local bond issue provided the necessary funds to cover his debts, ensuring the collection remained in Oklahoma.
Art of the American West
The Gilcrease Museum houses the world's largest collection of art of the American West. The presence of these works offers a quiet encounter with the landscapes and subjects that defined a continent. Albert Bierstadt is represented here, providing a sense of the scale found in the western territories. Thomas Moran also appears in the collection, contributing to the visual record of the frontier. These paintings exist as physical presences that demand a moment of stillness.
The collection extends beyond landscape to include the precision of portraiture and animal studies. John Singer Sargent is represented among the holdings, alongside the works of Rosa Bonheur. These artists provide different perspectives on the natural world and the people within it. There is a specific weight to seeing these original canvases in person. The museum also maintains a growing collection of art and artifacts from Central and South America, expanding the scope of the visual narratives held within the walls.