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Oklahoma

Best of Oklahoma: From Tulsa to Tahlequah

Program No. 23215RJ
At art, history and cultural museums, explore the diverse heritage of Tulsa, from its beginnings as an Indian Territory, to the prosperity that followed its 1901 oil boom — and beyond.
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Art History & MuseumsRegional StudiesNative American StudiesSmall GroupCity Discoveries
Length
7 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,449
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Tulsa, OK
Program Concludes
Tulsa, OK
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
15 ( 6B, 5L, 4D )
Activity Level
When oil was discovered in Tulsa in 1901, the little frontier town exploded with prosperity. In the oil boom years that followed, the city’s downtown developed with Art Deco architecture, and the Greenwood neighborhood became the wealthiest African American community in Oklahoma, bustling with the sounds of jazz, blues and — later — the Tulsa Massacre. Travel to the “Oil Capital of the World” to study the city’s diverse history, art and culture at museums across the city and the surrounding area, including Greenwood Rising, the Philbrook Museum, Cherokee Nation, and more.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Learn about the Trail of Tears at the John Ross Museum, and explore Tahlequah, the capital city of the Cherokee Nation.
  • Visit the Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Museum to learn about the lives and legacies of these famous men.
  • Discover fascinating art and architecture throughout the city and at museums like the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art.
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Featured Expert
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Vanessa Adams-Harris
Vanessa Adams-Harris is Muscogee (Creek) American Indian with African American/European ancestry. She serves as director of outreach and alliances for the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation and is vice chair of the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission, president of the North Tulsa Historical Society, vice president of TKWolf, Inc, and is assistant to the minister of Church of the Restoration Unitarian Universalist. She edited and directed the documentary, “Unheard Voices-Stalking in Indian Country” and “Unheard, Unseen,” an interview with Dr. Reid Melloy.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Sue Shoemaker, a native-born Michigander, lives on a farm in the “Thumb.” A gratifying teaching and counseling career at the middle school level inspired Sue to become a group leader in order to share her passion for learning and travel with others. Sue has led a variety of Road Scholar programs: study cruises on the Great Lakes and the Columbia River, as well as land-based programs in Chicago, Detroit, Albuquerque (Balloon Fiesta), and northern Michigan.
Vanessa Adams-Harris is Muscogee (Creek) American Indian with African American/European ancestry. She serves as director of outreach and alliances for the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation and is vice chair of the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission, president of the North Tulsa Historical Society, vice president of TKWolf, Inc, and is assistant to the minister of Church of the Restoration Unitarian Universalist. She edited and directed the documentary, “Unheard Voices-Stalking in Indian Country” and “Unheard, Unseen,” an interview with Dr. Reid Melloy.
Kelly Gibson is the owner of Tours of Tulsa. Kelly is a life-long resident of Tulsa, and is married with two children. In 2006, she worked as a travel leader for Bandana Tours of Tulsa. In 2013, she acquired the company and formed Tours of Tulsa. Tours of Tulsa works to make the history of Tulsa come alive and lead visitors through some of the city’s most historic and storied destinations, meet its fascinating people, and learn more about this incredible city.
Mike Teague leads the government relations team for ONEOK, an oil and gas midstream company based in Tulsa, OK where he is responsible for engaging federal, tribal, state, and local officials in support of current and future ONEOK endeavors. Prior to joining ONEOK, Teague served as Oklahoma’s first secretary of both energy and environment for five years where he oversaw 35 state agencies, boards and commissions. He used his nearly three-decade-long active-duty Army career to guide him on international and domestic energy and environment matters.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to five miles daily at a brisk pace, sometimes on unpaved terrain and standing for up to an hour at museums.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.