Woolaroc Museum – Part 1
2014.12.20
The Woolaroc Museum didn’t start with any grand vision. It just evolved.
— Paul Endacott, Phillips Petroleum President 1951–1967
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh made the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris, fueling an international aviation craze. A few months later, James Dole — of pineapple fame — organized a competitive aircraft race from Oakland, California to Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. To promote their new aviation fuel, Phillips sponsored two custom-built Clyde Cessna monoplanes, dubbed Woolaroc and Oklahoma, for the race. The Oklahoma had to abort before leaving California, but the Woolaroc won first place and a $25,000 prize.
In 1929, Phillips built a pavilion at the ranch for the retired Woolaroc airplane. Soon there were glass display cases to house the growing collection of Native American and Western art and artifacts from the Lodge. Eventually the open pavilion was enclosed, then additions built in 1932, 1939, 1947, a major extension and remodel in 1976, and a new Airplane Room in 1985.
Those of us who have been more fortunate have a debt to society, which I believe can best be paid by training and educating the youth of the nation. I dedicate this museum to the boys and girls of today the fathers and mothers of tomorrow. May they profit by a knowledge of man’s past and be enabled to plan and live a happier future.
— Frank Phillips (1944)
Native American pottery and bone implements.
Natural dye sources for Native American textiles.
Decorated shell gorget and a view down some of the galleries.
Woolaroc Ranch