Woody Guthrie Center (85)
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
TULSA
When I was a young lad bounding around my hometown of Drummond, Oklahoma, I didn't have a lot of access to the music of the world. My older brother Jeff, almost 7 years older, would bring home tapes, LPs, and (gulp) 8 Tracks that he had heard on the radio or from a friend. I was constantly raiding his room when he wasn't home just to see what music he brought in. I found out about groups like Queen, The Clash, and Def Leppard from him. My parents had about sixty LPs and I spent hours going through all of thiers too. I found people like Linda Ronstadt, The Guess Who, and all the artists on my favorite album of the time, Freedom Rock. Turn it up, man!! What I rarely heard, though, was true folk music. And, if I did hear it, it was something I couldn't really categorize. I just didn't know. It wasn't until after I graduated that I found out there was an enormous society of musicians that made up this new-to-me genre called Folk. One song that I always heard growing up and couldn't put into a category was "This Land is Your Land." It seemed to be in commercials, TV shows, and movies written by an ad man to stir up feelings. I knew it, but I didn't know who wrote it or sang it. When I finally took the plunge into folk music, I discovered it was Woody Guthrie. Then I discovered he was from Oklahoma. How cool is that!! I also discovered that Woody's most famous song was the tip of the Guthrie iceberg. (By the way, the hand written lyrics are on display here.) When I visited the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, I found out way more than I already knew about one of the most influential figures in modern music.
I call Woody a titan of music, but if you read anything about him, music was only part of his life. Music was a way he introduced ideas. He was a fierce advocate for unions, farmers, poor folks, minorities, and the marginalized long before it was popular to do so. He would tour all over the country spreading the word about war, injustice, and the things he saw America's wealthy class doing to the citizens that did all the work for them. It wasn't (and still isn't) right and he wasn't shy about shouting it from every stage he could put his feet on. He toured with African American musicians which was, sadly, not socially acceptable at the time. He was an activist for common folks and spread his word through protest songs, art, and letters. And thankfully, The Woody Guthrie Center has the archives of his life both on display and in a climate controlled storage room. In the multiple exhibits throughout the museum, you can see artwork, photos, flyers, and notebooks. They have listening stations for Woody's music and music from artists that were directly influence by him. One of my favorites was the Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt/Wilco exhibit, but each section of the museum reminded me that Woody's influence can be seen in so many artists from so many genres. It's also staggering to realize how many musicians have done cover songs of his, like Bob Dylan, Dropkick Murphys, Ry Cooder, and Bruce Springsteen. Billy Bragg and the band Wilco have recorded a few albums of Nora Guthrie approved previously unrecorded songs. Those albums are titled Mermaid Avenue and are fantastic.
I often call myself a music nerd, and this museum had me grinning from ear to ear. As with most museums, I walked out a better person than I was when I went in because I learned something new. The Woody Guthrie Center was a learning experience for sure. New aspects of his amazing life are on display and I couldn't have had a better experience. Also, the staff I encountered were all incredibly friendly which I'm so grateful for. It adds to the great experience the museum offers. Although Woody moved around a lot and finally ended up in New York, he'll always be an Okie to me.
"Many a month has come and gone
Since I wandered from my home
In those Oklahoma hills where I was born.
Many a page of life has turned,
Many a lesson I have learned;
Well, I feel like in those hills I still belong."
One negative aspect of the visit was the parking situation. I parked across the street and foudn the pay to park sign. I had to download an app, enter my credit card, agree to park without getting an total, get a notification from my bank that it might be a scam, authorize it, and I get a receipt for almost $20. I suggest parking in a few lot a little ways away and get a ride share to take you down there. It will be cheaper. Other than that, please GO!!
102 E. Reconciliation Way, Tulsa
918-574-2710
Entry Fee: Adults-$12 (Dual entry with Bob Dylan Center-$22), Seniors(55+), Veterans, & Students(18+w/ID)-$10, Kids (17&under)-Free
Hours: 10:00 to 6:00 Wed-Sun.
Jonathan Elmore ©2026
