Oklahoma City Museum of the Gaylord-Pickens | Oklahoma City

The Gaylord-Pickens Museum, best known as the home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, is a cultural institution in Oklahoma City that celebrates the state’s history through the lives and legacies of its most accomplished citizens. Rather than focusing on objects or artifacts, the museum highlights stories of leadership, creativity, and service, making it a place where visitors learn about Oklahoma through the people who helped shape it.

Origins and History

The museum is housed in the historic Mid-Continent Life Insurance Building, a landmark built in 1927 in the Classical Revival style.

After a major renovation, the building was transformed into the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, which opened in 2007 as the permanent home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

The museum is named in honor of the Gaylord and Pickens families, both of whom have played central roles in Oklahoma’s civic and philanthropic life.

Focus and Mission

The museum’s central mission is to tell Oklahoma’s story through its people. The Hall of Fame inducts new members each year, recognizing individuals from all walks of life who have contributed to the state’s growth and reputation. Exhibits and multimedia presentations connect visitors to their achievements.

Layout and Highlights

Great Hall: The centerpiece of the building, with soaring ceilings and grand architecture, used for both exhibits and special events.

Hall of Fame Gallery: Portraits of inductees line the walls, each accompanied by biographical information, honoring over 700 Oklahomans inducted since 1928.

Interactive Exhibits: Digital kiosks and multimedia displays allow visitors to explore stories, videos, and personal narratives in an engaging way.

Changing Exhibitions: In addition to the Hall of Fame, rotating exhibits feature Oklahoma art, culture, and history.

Educational Spaces: Designed for students and children, with hands-on activities and storytelling that connect history to personal experience.

Educational and Community Role

The museum plays an active role in civic education:

Field Trips: Thousands of Oklahoma schoolchildren visit each year to learn about their state through interactive programming.

Storytelling Programs: Designed to help young visitors understand how ordinary people can make extraordinary contributions.

Community Events: The museum hosts lectures, award ceremonies, and cultural gatherings that celebrate Oklahoma’s diversity and achievement.

Visitor Experience

Engagement: The museum avoids the passive “look-only” approach, instead encouraging interaction through touchscreens, oral histories, and multimedia features.

Atmosphere: The combination of historic architecture and modern technology creates a sense of both tradition and forward-looking pride.

Accessibility: Centrally located in Midtown Oklahoma City, with easy access to other cultural and historic sites.

Cultural Significance

Unlike many museums that focus on objects or eras, the Gaylord-Pickens Museum emphasizes people as history-makers. By celebrating the accomplishments of Oklahomans in fields like science, business, politics, sports, and the arts, it reinforces a sense of identity and pride.

Legacy

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum is more than a repository of portraits; it is a living narrative of the state’s past, present, and future, told through those who shaped it. It stands as a testament to the idea that Oklahoma’s greatest resource has always been its people.