The Museum Broken Arrow(53)

I haven't spent much time in Broken Arrow. When I'm there it's usually just to see my parents' best friends, two people that I've called Aunt and Uncle since I was old enough to talk. I rarely ventured out unless we went out for lunch. So when I pulled down Main Street, I was pleasantly surprised by the Rose District where The Museum Broken Arrow lives. I couldn't help but wander around a little bit before I went in. Once I finallly went in, I was excited to explore. The only thing that I had read about was downstairs was a revolving exhibit and upstairs was a permenant exhibit. Bring it on!

I first noticed on a counter by the front window that there had been a bowling pin decorating contest which sounds like loads of fun. There are some pics of the winners below. I was told that through the gift shop was the art gallery that changes exhibits regularly. This day I got to see the wonderful art of illustrator Stephenie Bayles. Appropriate for the spooky season, I enjoyed every piece. If you love it too, you can see more art on Stephanie's Instagram account @guild_of_calamity which I started following immediately.

Back through the gift shop, there is also the Broken Arrow Geneological Library where you can trace your roots from the records of the area. If you heard rumors your family was from here, they can help you find out the truth. My family was from elsewhere, so I only peeked in the door where someone was working. Hopefully I didn't seem like a creeper! HA!

Once I had made the rounds downstairs, I headed up to the second level where I discovered an amazing room that was filled with displays, rooms, and an entire historic log cabin that had been disassebled, stored, and rebuilt a couple of times over the years. There were easy to navigate twists and turns that led to more and more exhibits of Native life, military remembrance, cowboy life, and the economic history of the area in and around Broken Arrow. I was so into some of the displays that I had to keep going back because I had forgotten to take a photo of something cool that I wanted to share with you. One particular thing that really grabbed me, and I've included a photo below, was the World War I Memorial Blanket. Made from a wool Army blanket, the women of Broken Arrow vowed in 1919 to commemorate their soldiers by applying scraps from uniforms embroidered with the soldiers names. Nancy Hurd assembled the blanket. She even got a pant leg from General Pershing's trousers for the center. War is hell for soldiers, but also for those left to grieve the fallen.

If you're planning a trip to Tulsa, you can easily swing by Broken Arrow and visit The Museum. There's parking out front so there's no excuse to pass it by! I had a great time and I hope you do too.

400 S Main Street, Broken Arrow

918-258-2616

The Museum Broken Arrow

Jonathan Elmore ©2025