Travis Mansion Grand Opening to Feature Tulsa Traditions
MAGICAL HISTORY: The Tulsa Historical Society will host its Magical History Tour Jan. 26, 2008 and at the newly renovated Travis Mansion, 2445 S. Peoria Ave. The event will allow patrons to explore THS’s new home, sample favorite Tulsa cuisine and revisit favorite Tulsa memories. Event organizers are, from left: Sharon Terry, Tulsa Historical Society executive director; and event co-chairs Donna Dutton and G.T. Bynum.
Courtesy Tulsa Historical Society
The Tulsa Historical Society announced the grand opening of its newly renovated headquarters, the Samuel Travis Mansion. A celebration will be held Jan. 26, 2008 from 6:30-10 p.m. at 2445 S. Peoria Ave.
The mansion, built during Tulsa’s oil boom, was purchased by the Society in 1997 and over the past year has undergone a complete renovation. Additions include six new gallery spaces to showcase rotating exhibits and provide extra storage space for the Society’s extensive collections.
Guests at the grand opening will be able to explore the mansion and its latest exhibits, as well as relive their favorite Tulsa memories at The Magical History Tour. The tour will allow patrons to view early Tulsa memorabilia and enjoy timeless Tulsa food, including the Black-Bottom Pie made famous by Pennington’s Drive-In.
Various Tulsa talents will provide music throughout the evening as visitors view long-forgotten Tulsa treasures and participate in a live auction. Guests also will have the opportunity to describe their special Tulsa memories on film at the event. Tickets for The Magical History Tour are $35 for Society members and $55 for non-members.
“We are looking forward to hearing our guests’ favorite memories of Tulsa,” says Sharon Terry, executive director of the Tulsa Historical Society. “This event will be a wonderful complement to the opening of the Travis Mansion, where many more Tulsa memories are sure to be created in the coming years.”
The Travis Mansion was constructed by independent oil producer Samuel Travis in 1919, next to the complementary mansion of his brother, David Travis, whose former residence now houses the Tulsa Garden Center. Architect Noble Flemming designed the brothers homes in Revival style, located at what was then considered far south Tulsa.
Although the Travis Mansion faced demolition when it was purchased by a developer who planned to construct multiple homes on the estate’s 3.2 acres, community sentiment favored preservation of the structure and its open lawns. Thanks to generous gifts, loans and matching grants from the Tulsa Tribune Foundation, the Tulsa Historical Society bought the Travis Mansion in December 1997.
Before beginning renovations on the 11,000-square-foot mansion, the Society built a modern 17,000-square-foot wing housing several small galleries, a meeting room and staff offices. Many ongoing exhibits have been active in the mansion’s museum wing since 2005.
For more information about the Travis Mansion grand opening and The Magical History Tour, contact the Tulsa Historical Society at (918) 712-9484.
Updated 01-13-2008
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