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Tulsa is a city on the Arkansas River, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It’s known for its art deco architecture, mostly in the central Deco District. Landmarks like the Philcade and Philtower buildings reflect a 20th-century construction boom fueled by the prosperous local oil industry. The Philbrook Museum of Art is housed in an Italianate villa that was once the home of a local oil magnate
In the early 20th century Greenwood, also known as the Black Wall Street, was home to a prosperous community of African American entrepreneurs and landowners. Black-owned businesses flourished, with thriving grocery stores, hotels, real estate businesses and doctors. On May 31, 1921 white mobs fueled by resentment and racism descended upon Greenwood and set 35 city blocks aflame, killing an estimated 300 people in what became known as the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. 2021 will mark the 100th anniversary of this tragic moment in history.
Tulsa is a city that honors its past while also looking toward its future. Greenwood Rising, a state-of-the-art history center located in the heart of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, is expected to open during the 2021 Centennial Commemoration. This history center will honor the legacy of Black Wall Street before and after the Tulsa Race Massacre, and provide a connection to the Pathway to Hope. Once you finish visiting Greenwood Rising, take a stroll through John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park and spend some time admiring the Tower of Reconciliation. This monument illustrates the history of Black Oklahomans from past to present.
The food scene in Tulsa is evolving rapidly, and travelers will have no shortage of dining options to choose from! If you want to support the entrepreneurial spirit of Black Wall Street check out Wanda J’s, a family owned and operated business founded in 1974. This local restaurant serves delicious Southern food like fried catfish, smothered pork steak and cornbread. For a fresh and unique dining experience visit Farm Bar, which offers a 10-course tasting menu using garden produce and products from local farms.
Located along the heart of the world-famous Route 66, Tulsa is a great road trip destination. Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second largest city, and straddles the Arkansas River. To further the pursuit of learning about Black History, you can make Tulsa an unofficial stop on the Civil Rights Trail. If you’re coming from the south, it’s a 4 hour drive from Dallas, a 5½ hour drive from Memphis, and a 4 hour drive from Kansas City. If you do plan to fly in, Tulsa International Airport (TUL) is located 5 miles from downtown Tulsa, with direct flights across the U.S.A.
Tulsa has an impressive arts scene comprised of performing and visual arts. In fact, Tulsa is nation’s smallest city to have an opera, symphony, and ballet! To learn more about Tulsa’s Wild West days, visit the Gilcrease Museum which holds the world’s largest collection of art and objects from the American West. Founded by Thomas Gilcrease, a citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation, the museum’s collection contains more than 350,000 items and represents hundreds of Indigenous cultures from across North and South America. Advance tickets are required, so be sure to visit their website to secure a reservation before you go. Pop culture fanatics will find their bliss at the OKPOP center, which is set to open in 2021 and will be a traditional and immersive museum experience.
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