Museum
Rock Island Railroad Depot
311 East Main
In February, 1935, the women of the Anadarko Philomathic Club wished to exhibit old and valuable articles pertaining to the pioneers and the Indians. Thus was born the Anadarko Philomathic Museum. It began with a single display case in the city library (also started by the club) which was located on the third floor in the City Hall at First and Main. |
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by the club women, and formally opened as the Anadarko Philomathic Museum on August 6, 1936. Articles were added as years went by, and it became a place of great interest to natives and tourists. In 1966, when the fire station had moved from the old city hall, the rooms used by the firemen were provided for the first expansion. Mrs. Leon Carver, curator, |
Mrs. John K. Taylor, Philomathic Club president, and Mrs. Gilbert Haslam, led members in redecorating, restoring, and moving articles into the new rooms. But still the club women dreamed of a larger, ground level facility. Curator at this time was Mrs. James Broyles. Mrs. A.C. Roberson and Mrs. Robert Stephens were co-chairmen of the Renovation Committee. During the entire project, the two started their "workday" at 7:30 a.m. and stayed with the professional workers till the end of their day at 5:30 p.m. They, along with other club women, and people from all sections of the community, spent hours of volunteer time working on all the large and small tasks that needed to be done to clean, renovate and make the building suitable for a museum. Mrs. B.W. Hammert III, club president in 1976, helped coordinate and lead the club to the completion of the project and the BIG moving day. It took several days to move, even with the help of husbands, children, Campfire Girls, Boy Scouts and many interested citizens with trucks and/or strong arms. It was a very challenging, busy, hot, but fun time. Dedication ceremonies were held on August 1, 1976, as part of Anadarko's 75th Anniversary celebration. |
Hours:
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday and Legal holidays.
405-247-3240
Located close to downtown
Free Admission!
museum@cityofanadarko.org