Best of Oklahoma: From Tulsa to Tahlequah

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Walking about 4 miles throughout the day; uneven brick sidewalks with inclines; periods of standing totaling up to 3 hours in museums or on walking exploration. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles total, approximately 1 hour throughout the day with stops.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: A local expert will lead a discussion about the history of the area that is now Oklahoma, from its earliest Native American inhabitants to the American soldiers and settlers who followed. We'll also hear about the unique history of Tulsa. We'll then head out by motorcoach and meet a local expert who will lead us on a walking exploration of the downtown Tulsa area. We will learn more about Tulsa’s history and architecture, particularly the Art Deco and Gothic structures that were built during Tulsa’s oil boom in the early 20th century.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll make our way to the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art where we’ll be led by an expert docent and learn about the travels of exiles and immigrants to new homelands. We’ll also learn about Jewish practices, ceremonies, holidays, and overall heritage. As a longstanding component to Tulsa’s collective identity, the museum’s exhibitions of Jewish art and artifacts serve to enlighten visitors and provide opportunities to learn about the vast history of the Jewish faith, from before the Canaanite era over 5,000 years ago all the way throughout settlement in the southwestern United States.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 65 miles one way, approximately 2.5 hours roundtrip. Walking up to 4.5 miles total, approximately 3 hours; uneven brick sidewalks; periods of standing totaling up to 1 hour at museum.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Setting out via motorcoach, we’ll make our way to Tahlequah, the Capital of the Cherokee Nation, where we enjoy a full day visit led by a local expert from the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Center. We’ll visit a variety of sites from an antebellum Cherokee home to the home and museum of distinguished Cherokee leader John Ross, who sagely guided the Cherokee Nation through decades of turbulent times.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch we’ll have special access at the Cherokee National Research Center (when available) and hear from staff of the Archives and Genealogy Department, a state-of-the-art facility that is home to a collection of thousands of Cherokee artifacts and archives formerly housed at the Cherokee Heritage Center. We’ll continue with both guided and independent explorations at the Cherokee National History Museum, Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Museum, the Art Walk celebrating Artists designated Cherokee National Treasures with rotating displays, and other relevant sites. We will return to Tulsa for arrival in the early evening.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Tulsa. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking up to 4.5 miles throughout the day; varied terrain including uneven sidewalks, gravel paths; periods of standing totaling up to 2 hours during field trips.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast we'll be joined by a local expert from the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation for a lecture to orient us for the day in the Greenwood Cultural District, from Indian Territory laws to the thriving Black Wall Street era of the early 20th century, and the events known as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Following the lecture we'll head out by motor coach for the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church where we’ll enjoy a docent-led tour to learn about and admire the impressive Art Deco architecture. The beautifully executed ecclesiastical style earned the 1929 church a designation as a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior, a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, and status as an international United Methodist Historic Site.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will visit Greenwood Rising, a new museum commemorating the Tulsa Race Massacres of 1921. Greenwood Rising uses a variety of historical, technological and interactive design elements to encourage discourse about the tragedy while also discussing Black History and the history of anti-blackness in this country. Greenwood Rising also bears witness to the amazing resurgence of the Greenwood District in the months and years following the tragedy. Booker T. Washington, the acclaimed author and educator, referred to the 35-block Greenwood District surrounding the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Archer Street as America's "Black Wall Street." As a lucrative hub for black commerce in the early 1900s, it was also a center for jazz and blues, and the site where the renowned jazz pianist Count Basie first encountered big-band jazz. At the time, the Greenwood District was the richest African-American neighborhood in North America. Then we will depart for the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park. Upon arrival, we’ll again a local expert from the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation who will help deepen our understanding in the outdoor art and reflection park before opening up for independent exploration. John Hope Franklin was a distinguished historian and lawyer, graduating from Harvard in 1941 and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995. The Center works toward reconciliation through encouraging community dialogue.

Dinner: At a popular local restaurant.

Evening: After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Driving about 90 miles roundtrip, approximately 1.5 hours total, with stops. Walking about 4 miles throughout the day; periods of standing totaling up to 2 hours at field trip locations; gravel paths and dirt roads. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll travel to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum where a museum docent will lead us around the facility. The life of the much-loved entertainer, Will Rogers, is commemorated in his hometown of Claremore, Oklahoma. Displays in this museum show a plethora of his collective work and memorabilia. We’ll be able to see video performances of all types as we learn about his life and career. Will Rogers' tomb is also on the grounds, overlooking the town and Rogers State University. After our docent-led exploration, we’ll have some time to explore independently.

Lunch: At a popular local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch we'll travel to the Woody Guthrie Center which houses the archives and research center, details his life and creative journey, and preserves many of his handwritten lyrics and musical instruments. One of Oklahoma's dearest sons, Woody Guthrie was a prolific singer-songwriter who inspired many generations with such songs as "This Land is Your Land" and was one of the most significant figures in American folk music. A docent will lead us on an exploration of the center and point out significant details of Guthrie’s life. Following our visit to the Woody Guthrie Center, we will return to the hotel.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Driving about 15 miles roundtrip, approximately 1/2 hour total. Walking about 4 mile throughout the day; varied terrain, dirt trails, some inclines; periods of standing totaling up to 2 hours at museums.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Setting out after breakfast, we’ll travel to the Philbrook Museum of Art for an expert-led field trip through this historic 1926 Italian Renaissance-style villa, which was the home of Waite and Genevieve Phillips. First opened in 1939, the museum has collected art from various time frames, artistic mediums, and locations across the globe. A primary focus of the museum, which we will see today, is the extensive exhibit featuring Native American artistry and traditional craftwork. The Philbrook is also known for its extensive and lovely formal gardens. Feel free to stroll through them and soak in the atmosphere during some time for independent exploration.

Lunch: In the cafe at the Philbrook.

Afternoon: Next, we'll transfer to the Bob Dylan Center. Opened in May of 2022, the Bob Dylan Center houses curated exhibits created from a collection of over 100,000 items spanning the amazing career of this legendary artist. These cultural treasures include "handwritten manuscripts, notebooks and correspondence; films, videos, photographs and artwork; memorabilia and ephemera; personal documents and effects; unreleased studio and concert recordings; musical instruments; and many other elements." Although Bob Dylan was not from Oklahoma, he chose to house his collection here in Tulsa, in honor of Woody Guthrie, who influenced him greatly. We will return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: While gathered with our Group Leader, we’ll engage in a program wrap-up and share some of our favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!