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Will Rogers Memorial
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
1 review for Will Rogers Memorial
as far as oklahoma goes...illinois has lincoln, tennessee has elvis.
oklahoma has will rogers.
everything in this state is named after him. there's even a university right next to his memorial and museum called rogers state university. because of a work related experience i had a few years ago, i had become very attached to will and betty's story. they had a great life together. now, granted, being as involved as he was in politics, show business, and, unfortunately, aviation, they didn't see each other all the time. but first and foremost, will rogers was a respectful, kind man who loved his family and put them above everything else. i respect him for that, and for many of the great things he's said and philosophies he adhered to in life. so going to look at his stuff was a big deal to me.
the museum is set up really well. admission is by donation only, so if you only have five dollars, you pay five dollars. there's a bunch of galleries, each focusing on a different aspect of will's life. there's an area with artifacts from his childhood and growing up around lake oogalah. there's a room dedicated to his family life with betty blake and all his children. there's an area for his show biz life, with the follies pictures and the crazy vaudeville lifestyle. there's an area for his politics adventures, his friendships with people like presidents and more politicians. and there's a memorial room with all the western unions from people all over the world offering their condolences. people like laurel and hardy, groucho marx and his wife, and presidents.
aside of all the galleries, there's also areas to watch footage of will and his endeavors through the arts, listen to clips of shows, and interviews or those ever famous quotes he made.
when you go outside, there's a monument overlooking all of the city. it's really, really beautiful. on the day i was there i was, yet again, one of few people there. and looking out over the town with blue skies and rolling green hills was just extremely peaceful.
it's really a great tribute to will rogers. and it's an interesting stop in a trip across the country.