the lynn riggs memorial

The new location apparently recently opened. It still had that "new museum smell"! You could smell fresh paint. It is small but there is not entrance fee - just a container for donations if you so desire. There were three ladies volunteering the day we were there and were such a delight! They wanted to show us around personally (being we were the only ones in the museum at the time). The big attraction for me was seeing the actually surrey that was in the Broadway production of Oklahoma and the actual dress worn by the actress who played the lead. They had a lot of history about the play and even a 6 minute DVD from the (now retired) Oklahoma senator of the time that got Oklahoma voted in as the State's song (replacing another song). Was very interesting and amusing. The women volunteering wanted us to listen to the DVD and I had mentioned we were limited for time. That is when she aid "It's only 6 minutes!" So we watched and was well worth it! So many other interesting Claremore history items there - worth the time spent to stop here. You shouldn't need much time here at all - it is near the Belevedere so you can do both probably in as little as an hour. No food or drink here but they do have restrooms.

The museum was closed and was being renovated. It looks as if the museum will have an expanded purpose. Check on your visit because the Surrey from the Musical Oklahoma is worth seeing. It is currently at the Arms museum.