Oklahoma Hall of Fame
4.6(320)google
4.4(21)yelp
History
Overview
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was founded in 1927 by Anna B. Korn to officially celebrate Statehood Day, recognize Oklahomans dedicated to their communities, and provide educational programming for all ages. The first Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held the next year, inducting the first two members into the hall of fame. In the 1970s, the Hefner Mansion was donated to the association to house the exhibits and busts or portraits of the inductees, and the organization changed its name to the Oklahoma Heritage Association in 1971.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeHoused in the historic Gaylord-Pickens Museum, this high-tech indoor attraction shines year-round. Enter on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM right at opening for a peaceful setting; the interactive touchscreen galleries allow you to deep-dive into the inspiring lives of legendary Oklahomans.
Getting ThereCentrally located at 1400 Classen Dr in the Midtown district. Drive straight along Classen Blvd north from the core; the museum features its own large complimentary surface parking lots on the north side of the campus. EMBARK Bus Route 5 drops off at the 13th St intersection.
Travel Tips
- Housed in the historic Gaylord-Pickens Museum, this site is closed Sundays and Mondays; Saturday hours are exceptionally short (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM), making Tuesday-Friday the ideal visit window.
- June and July feature corporate-sponsored 'Summer Thursdays' with free admission, attracting heavy volumes of local summer youth camps; solo travelers seeking quiet galleries should avoid this midday slot.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- The galleries use highly sophisticated interactive touchscreen matrix installations; tripods and selfie rods with external lights are strictly banned, and large luggage must be secured in lobby lockers.
Reviews
Positive
- Housed in the Gaylord-Pickens Mansion, showcasing OK's legendary icons via high-tech interactive touchscreens. Brilliant curation and cultural depth.
- The galleries are grand and spacious with advanced digital displays. Restrooms are spotless, and accessible elevators offer an elite experience.
- Crowd control and flow management are excellent. Docents are highly polite and academic, providing tailored stories with great security safety.
- Admission tickets are very cheap with elite student/military discounts. Given the massive digital historical literature inside, value is supreme.
Heads up
- The museum relies heavily on digital monitors; physical historical antiques are sparse, causing a disappointing gap for fans of traditional old relics.
- Situated in a quieter edge district; its free parking lot is tiny, making finding a space an absolute nightmare during special inductee ceremonies.
- There are no hot food restaurants or cafes inside, only basic vending machines. Heading out to Bricktown miles away is mandatory for a decent meal.
- Because the interactive data requires strong English text comprehension, international tourists or young toddlers will find it dry and less engaging.