I had a great time walking through this museum. Learned so much about Will Rogers. I noticed something unique--on Will & Betty's marriage certificate, her name is spelled Bettie. Isn't that fascinating?!! I loved all the movies and documentaries throughout the museum. There were two cowpokes with ropes, twirling them throughout the museum and it added to the ambience. I enjoyed walking the sunken garden and exploring the many rooms. I think my favorite was the theater room. I wish I could have spent all day and watched all the available shows you can select to watch on the big screen. Very well done museum. read more

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We enjoyed a day exploring and visited the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. The staff was friendly and immediately greeted with a warm welcome. After paying our admission, we were directed to the beginning of the self guided tour. We met another friendly staff member who provided quite of lot of insight to Will Rogers' life and history. We went through several rooms, some had monitors playing old movies and historical stories. The theater room allows you to choose from several different shows from various perspectives on Will Rogers' life. One show was narrated by Bob Hope. Will and his family are interned on the premises outside and the location allows you to take in the overall beauty of the land. They have a nice resting place. We concluded our tour. You have the option of visiting the gift shop before you leave for any souvenirs you may desire to purchase. read more

I consider the Will Rogers Museum to be a national treasure! The museum is so well-kept and a wonderful tribute to one of Americas most iconic men, Will Rogers! The man was a humanitarian at heart, a family man, a champion lassoing cowboy, a movie star, a journalist, a radio talk show host, a comedian, a world traveler, and a man who was admired and loved by people from all walks of life! It's our second visit to the museum and I find it historically educational to adults and children alike! #WillRogersForPresident read more

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This is very entertaining and informative museum, so well done and far more extensive than it first appears! It tells a story, not only of an extraordinary man, but also of the Hollywood movie era before and leading into talkies as well as the early 1900s western culture. Plus, this is all done through exhibits, dioramas and films. Look for the Remington bronze sculptures! Also, there's a beautiful outside patio overlooking Roger's grave. It's a stunning view! read more

This is the original site that Will Rogers' had planned to build his own home but did not get to. The Rogers' family are interred on the site in the back of the museum. There are lots of memorabilia's and information about Will Rogers at the museum and the staff are very knowledgeable with information. I learned a lot more about Will Rogers and what kind of impact he had on society at the time. Highly recommended visit! read more

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July 26, took my visiting sister and brother-in-law here for their first time. They were impressed with the exhibits, old movies and commentary about Will Rogers. Staff at the entry desk and gift shop were very friendly and helpful. Having been to Will Roger's Dog Iron Ranch airstrip several times for annual fly-in's, it was nice to revisit his legacy at the museum. read more

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This is a well put together museum. We spent about 3 hours there but I could see possibly spending more time here. It goes over the life of Will Rogers and his upbringings, his success and his death. If you're interested in learning about the "son on Oklahoma" then plan this in your trip. read more

I am going to give this an excellent review because, even though I didn't go into the museum because of the pandemic, I could see that it was a beautiful building inside and out. It is set up on the hill right near Rogers College of Oklahoma. In fact there were many things named after Will Rogers in the area. He truly is their favorite son. I walked around the building and looked at the view and looked at the other beautiful buildings around it. In the middle of a yellowed grass field I could see some daffodils had popped up and bloomed. It was a nice sight to see. I walked around to the back of the building past the lovely stained glass windows that depicted Will Rogers' roles in life, both his personal and professional life. And I walked to the patio in the back that had all kinds of plaques and information about him attached to the building. I walked down to the the area where his sarcophagus is and a statue in his honor. It was interesting to read that he and his wife and others were buried right there in front of the statue. Is a very moving site and I was glad that I got to be there. read more

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What a neat facility! This museum is loaded with photos, documents and images of an era past. Long before Facebook and social media there was radio and conversations that took place with people listening to the words and what the words meant. This museum is a celebration of that era. Too young to have known him, but old enough to recall my parents and grandparents talking about him, I know many of his sayings and political comments. Definitely worth the time and cost of admission. read more

Will Rogers Memorial Museum - Museum memorabilia - Museums Near Me - Claremore, Oklahoma

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Today was my first time at the museum with our son for a field trip. I would highly recommend checking this place out! The staff is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and kind. They are great with children. There is a downstairs area for children to play, interact with each other puppets, blocks, movie theater, etc. Seeing all the old photos of my favorite! My absolute favorite part was all the paintings by Wayne Cooper is also an Oklahoma Native from Depew. There is some truly amazing artwork in the building. I would also recommend driving the 18-20min to Oologah to the birth place of Will Rogers. read more

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Plan to spend some time here. Loved reading and learning about Will Rogers. The staff was very nice and welcoming.

A hidden gem for local history and culture. Keep an eye out for their events, and visit the birthplace ranch

I remember going here as a kid...I got my son a Route 6) passport for Christmas and it's brought so much joy, road tripping and exploring Oklahoma. It was so fun taking him back to this place and he LOVED it! read more

Will Rogers was a legendary American cowboy, vaudeville performer, humorist, newspaper columnist, social commentator, and stage and motion picture actor. He was born in Oklahoma in 1879 as the son of a prominent Cherokee Nation family, and maintained close ties with the native American population throughout his life. He traveled around the world three times, made 71 movies (50 silent films and 21 "talkies"), and wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns.He was the leading political wit of his time, and was the highest paid Hollywood movie star. Rogers died in 1935 with aviator Wiley Post, when their small airplane crashed in northern Alaska. His earthy anecdotes and folksy style allowed him to poke fun at gangsters, prohibition, politicians, government programs, and a host of other controversial topics in a way that was appreciated by a national audience, with no one offended. One of my favorite Will Rogers' widely quoted comments was "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." The Will Rogers Memorial is perched atop a hill in Claremore, OK, and adjacent to the University that bears his name. The life and times of "Oklahoma's Favorite Son" are featured in this museum, and you'll find theaters showing his movies, historical newsreels, statues, and display cases filled with memorabilia from his life. Will, his wife Betty, several of their children, and one of his grandchildren are buried in the outdoor mausoleum, guarded by one of the best-known statues of Will on horseback. This is a fascinating museum, and well worth the drive out to Claremore. Even if you've never heard of Will Rogers, you owe to yourself to learn about life in the US in the 20s and 30s -- the Great Depression, Prohibition, the Ziegfeld Follies, the First World War, and life in the Dustbowl of the Midwestern Plains. Rogers was quoted as saying, "I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn't like." Truly an amazing human being, and this museum captures the essence of this man of character, innovation, inspiration, optimism, and humanitarianism. read more

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Excellent museum! Will Rogers is a national treasure that we could really use about now. FJB

Bring your teenagers and allow them some REAL history! This man understood stardom and power. A gifted entertainer with a message. Plan on at least an hour but 2 would be better. A trip out to the birthplace ranch is worth it but not overly necessary. Younger kids will be a pest! read more

We were staying at Skiatook Lake and had planned a day trip into Tulsa for some sightseeing. Upon seeing the Will Rogers Memorial on our map we decided to make a slight detour for a visit. We are glad we did. This memorial/museum is run by very enthusiastic volunteers who are happy to explain to you how about 'touring' the facility. The building contains lots of memorabilia along with movies and photos. For those of you without a clear understanding of who Will Rogers was ( like me ) you will leave here better informed. It's also a beautiful building with beautiful scenery, reason enough to visit! There is no formal charge for admission but the do have several donation boxes located throughout the museum requesting $5 per person read more

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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. read more

Radio and movie star, Cherokee lassoing champion, pilot, writer and social observer, Will Rogers was beloved and for good reason. Great museum, including the family burial tomb just outside. Listen to Will speak about politics (some things never change), see films he was in, as well as exhibits featuring his boots, spurs, and hats. If you spend over $10 in the gift shop (easy to do with all the goodies there), you get your pick of some nice art posters of him. If you're anywhere near Tulsa/Claremore, check out this spot! read more

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This museum is a very educational place. There is a good place for children to play at. It's in the basement if I can remember correctly. The older and more mature your kids are for the most part, the better. When I went to college at RSU (Rogers State University), I'd always pass by this place and remember the time I went through the museum on a field trip. read more

A beautiful site in Claremore Oklahoma. Will Rogers, the roping fool, was pretty amazing person. It is fun to learn more about his life and legacy. Well worth a few hours if you are in the area. read more

We visited shortly after moving to Claremore because we really didn't know much about Will Rogers. The museum is a jewel in Claremore, is filled with lots of fun learning and history and the view from the gardens are AMAZING! read more

The Will Rogers Museum....AWESOME! I never knew much about Will Rogers but his "library/museum" opened my eyes to the amazing man. I put it on the level of a presidential library as to providing information as to who he was and his legacy. I strongly suggest for anyone doing the Rt. 66 "thing" to make this a destination and don't just pass by. Entrance is by donation only. 5 stars all the way. read more

i had family come for a visit and took them to memorial. i expected it to be pretty lame and was pleasantly surprised. it's huge!! we spent 3 hours and could have easily spent more. the grounds are also beautiful. read more