What a milestone! The Sapulpa Historical Museum is turning 50!
Can you believe it?
I, Rachel Whitney, have had the honor to be the Collections Manager (now Curator and Director) since 2015. I have seen a few changes these last ten years that make me so proud to be a witness to this milestone.
But what does celebrating turning 50 mean?
The number 50 could be explained as an over-the-hill, even middle aged or even mid-life, or as a half-century accomplishment.
Although, I myself, do not know the accomplishment of turning 50 years old, I do know that with experience, both positive and challenging, there is a reflection on growth. I could tell you that as a twenty-something, fresh out of college, that I was not prepared, but I wanted this job. I have accepted this opportunity, and I ran with it. Looking back, I can see how much I have come to understand more about the museum world, and, of course, Sapulpa’s history, these last ten years.
But this is not about me. This is about the museum, and its volunteers, the displays, the collection, the donors, the visitors, friends and loved ones, and so much, much more.
This is the Sapulpa Historical Museum.
This establishment not only reflects on the past, but embraces today’s historical significance, and hopes to impact the future.
Turning 50 represents a significant moment in history, in personal history as well as cultural history. When building a city, among the first buildings to be put on the map are churches, homes, courts, and schools. Soon after, the libraries were built. It may take a couple of generations to start collecting and reflecting upon the significance that history has made to the town. And then, museums are being built to collect, research, store, and share the tales of the town.
Our building at 100 East Lee Ave, the Wills Building, was built in 1910. The building itself has been here for over 110 years. It has witnessed the changes of the town. It saw the “skyscrapers” on Dewey being erected, it witnessed the many parades downtown, the celebrations of another family and business moving into town, the agony of a building being torn down, or even burnt down. It has been a part of Sapulpa history by being a host to the Hotel Lee, New Era Ice Cream Parlor, Creek County Courier newspaper, the YWCA, Maytag store, and many other businesses, rooms, and offices until the late 1960s.
And this was all before the museum found its forever home in this building.
In July 1968, the Sapulpa Historical Society began. With dedicated and passionate volunteers, they pursue their dream of opening a museum. From 1968 to 1975, the founding members collected and stored many items in offices and extra rooms both in local businesses and in their own homes. There were even times the items were on display in the library. However, there was not a permanent home, yet.
On July 14, 1975, the Sapulpa Historical Museum held its grand opening at the Y. “And it is a fitting way to start the bi-centennial for this city – there is no better way to launch such an event than by dedication of a facility for the preservation of local history.” Ed Livermore, editor of the Sapulpa Herald, at the time, shared his perspective on the opening of the museum in 1975.
- Related Reading: This Week in Sapulpa History: The Historical Society Museum Opens
- Related Reading: This Week in Sapulpa History: Major Meyer and Mize Fire
“The number of persons who have volunteered their help in the Sapulpa Historical Museum is too many to list. The museum is now a reality. But support is a continuing thing. The beginning has begun.”
No truer words were spoken.
Support is still needed and the volunteers step up each time.
Our volunteers have dedicated countless hours and effort to share Sapulpa history. There have been so many people that signed our volunteer list, that it is hard to name them all. The volunteers are truly dedicated to their museum. Many of our volunteers have built or had a hand in helping make this museum what it is today.
Oh, how I wish, I can name them all, thank each and everyone one of them. I wish I could’ve met them all. I want to hear their stories, their adventures, their dreams of this place. What were their goals, what do they want for us for the future? Honestly, all I have is notes and articles in the newspapers to help guide us along to some of their dreams.
Our volunteers have stretched every dollar and every muscle to build this museum. We have so many displays and exhibits that highlight the significance of Sapulpa’s story, the people, and culture. We have a large collection that ranges from before cityhood to today. Our volunteers built these exhibits to showcase lifestyles of the Sapulpans, including local businesses.
This building has had many changes within it; not only for a remodel but updates in exhibitions. We have in our facility early day shops in the downtown area, such as Max Meyer Outfitters (men’s clothing), Egan Brothers Mercantile, and Walful Sisters Millinery stores. One of Sapulpa’s earliest and largest employers was the railroad and oil; we have rooms dedicated to these eras in Sapulpa history. The museum also features the cultural significance of the Yuchi tribe. We also have multiple rooms dedicated to many local businesses and factories, such as the glass plants.
We now have displays for local authors, artists, and a pop-culture connection to our town. We have conducted years of research into our Women’s History and African-American History. We are still expanding today with relearning the Yuchi history by connecting with the Yuchi Language Project and reaching out to many other organizations that can guide us on this research. The museum has expanded its knowledge and shares its newest stories.
The museum is always changing.
I like to think that the founding members would be blown away by how much we have grown and the continued support from our town. We are not just the Sapulpa Historical Museum of 50 years ago, we are also the Waite Phillips-Barnsdall Filling Station and the Sapulpa Fire Museum. We have expanded and found new ways to share a piece of Sapulpa history in different ways.
In the Sapulpa Historical Museum, we dedicate our exhibits on the cultural, personal, and business side of Sapulpa history; the Filling Station is dedicated for the significance of vehicles, gasoline, oil, and travel has had on the town; the Fire Museum highlights the importance the first responders and their stories.
Another way we wish to celebrate turning 50 is to continue with our mission: the purpose of the Sapulpa Historical Museum is to share our understanding of Sapulpa history. Each day, our volunteers find new stories to talk about, new ideas to display our artifacts, and more challenges and goals to accomplish. And even though this is a “small-town” we have a big-story to tell.
To be honest, it seems like every week we hear from a local visitor: “I’ve lived here all my life, and never been to this museum.” We always reply by saying, “that’s okay, you’re here now.”
The Sapulpa story is not going to go away; the museum will be here as long as its volunteers, the locals, and visitors continue their care and support of the Sapulpa Historical Museum.
I like to thank our devoted volunteers. This has been an incredible adventure with you all. We have lost so many loved ones over the years, but we are still working hard to keep this dream a reality. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people to not only work with, but to guide us along this journey.
On Saturday, June 14, we will be celebrating this milestone by having all our museum buildings open from 10am to 7pm. And there will be door prizes and giveaways at the Sapulpa Historical Museum. Lucky winners will receive a gift basket for being the museum’s 25th, 50th, 75th visitor to the museum that day. Then from 5pm to 7pm at the Filling Station, there will be a small cookout. Each plate will be $8 for food and drink.
