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The Passion of Thomas Gilcrease
Thomas Gilcrease, a descendant of Creek Indians, became an instant millionaire when oil was discovered on his homestead in 1907. He spent most of his fortune collecting objects that tell the story of the american frontier, particularly of the Native American experience. The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Arts in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the result of his lifelong passion.
This huge collection, more than 10,000 works of art, 90,000 historical documents, and 250,000 native american artifacts, spans the centuries from 10,000 B.C. to the 1950s. Awed visitors can view nearly 200 George Catlin paintings of Native American life. They can walk among paintings and bronze sculptures by Frederic Remington with names like The Coming And Going Of The Pony Express that call up images of the West. Museumgoers can admire Thomas Moran's watercolors that helped persuade congress to create Yellowstone, the first national park. In addition, visitors are treated to works by modern Native Americans, such as the display of wood sculptures by the Cherokee Willard Stone.
The museum also houses many priceless documents, an original copy of the declaration of independence, the oldest known letter written from the new world, and the papers of Hernando Cortes. A new glass storage area even allows visitors to view the 80 percent of the holdings that are not on display. Thousands of beaded moccasins and buckskin dresses line the shelves, and a collection of magnificent war bonnets hang from brackets.
When the Gilcrease Institute opened its doors on May 2, 1949, Life magazine declared "it is the best collection of art and literature ever assembled on the American frontier and the Indian. Thousands of visitors agree.
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I can't imagine wasting money on such a silly day....
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