American Banjo Museum
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4.6(37)yelp
Music
Overview
The American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City is dedicated to the history of the banjo. The museum's exhibits document the rise of the banjo from its arrival in North America via the Atlantic slave trade to modern times. The museum was founded in 1988 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, by Jack Canine and moved to Oklahoma City in 2009.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeAn all-weather indoor musical treasury holding the world's largest collection of banjos. Visiting between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM on a Saturday is perfect; early evening sun striking the brick walls frames the hundreds of mid-century ornate, gold-plated jazz banjos in spectacular texture.
Getting ThereLocated in the historic Bricktown warehouse district at 9 E Sheridan Ave. Metered street spaces surround the block; parking at the nearby Reno Ave public parking garage is advised. Via mass transit, take the OKC Streetcar straight to the Bricktown platform and walk 1 block west.
Travel Tips
- Located on E Sheridan Ave in Bricktown, this venue is closed Mondays; no free private parking exists, requiring use of local metered street parking or nearby commercial paid garages.
- Housing the world's largest public banjo collection, several ornate 1920s instruments are displayed open-air without glass casings; touching strings is illegal and triggers automated infrared alarms.
- The first Wednesday of each month features free lunchtime concerts allowing guests to bring outside brown-bag meals into the theater; seating is strictly first-come, requiring a 30-minute early arrival.
Reviews
Positive
- The world's premier museum dedicated to the banjo. Rows of luxury vintage banjos inlaid with gold and mother-of-pearl offer stunning visual drama.
- Detailed graphic signage flows well. Features well-preserved vintage instruments and a dedicated hands-on audio room Pickin' Parlor for visitors to try.
- Staff are highly polite and love music; volunteers frequently deliver live impromptu country jams inside the halls, creating an incredible vibe.
- Perfectly situated in the downtown Bricktown hub, yet entry tickets are highly affordable. A fantastic bargain for deep American folk music heritage.
Heads up
- The museum's physical footprint is compact; a stroll across its two floors without listening to every audio clip takes 45 mins, making the loop feel short.
- Bordering the busy commercial strip, it lacks a dedicated free parking lot; drivers must use premium metered city curb spaces or commercial garages.
- The hands-on string trial room gets crowded with children on weekends; adult tourists find it hard to get a turn, and the space gets quite loud.
- Banjo records and music accessories in the gift shop carry steep markups. Extra spending is pricey, and outside drinks are strictly banned inside.