Wonderful little museum in the heart of Western Oklahoma. Came to visit while staying with family…read morein the area and I have to say for a town of less than 15k people this is a pretty nice establishment! The museum is set into a pretty interesting building as well. I can't truly pin-point the architectural style of it, but I'd say it's mainly mid century modern with a dusting of art deco thrown in, just for good measure. The cupola as you first enter is quite impressive. It is lined with murals depicting life in western oklahoma thru the centuries. Vibrant colors and simple scenes make for a stunning entry. The installation begin with native Americans infographics and artifacts, moving into the Temple Houston's room, then by the depression era/dust bowl room, to showcase some old area relics (bank, post office, photography studio, sheriff) ending right at the gift shop. From here you can visit the outdoor annex buildings, via a beautiful courtyard, where agricultural implements as well as a reconstruction sod-dwelling are on display. A gem for anyone who is interested in the historical features of this region. Also FREE of charge, not sure how you could ever go wrong with free education! ^__^

I've been coming here for quite a few years, as I travel to Woodward to visit family on holidays…read moreevery year. I've seen the museum grow and change over the years, and its developed into quite a resource for local history that I think would interest people from outside the area. While most of the exhibits are the same year after year, whoever has done the curating recently has really given them new life, making me actually see them in a new light, and appreciate the rich history of Woodward and the surrounding area. The only real critique I would have is that the Plains Indians exhibit isn't as large as it could be, but that may be due to available space. There is certainly a lot of Native American history to explore, and it seems there is an abrupt transition between the Plains Indians exhibit and the Pioneers exhibit. Granted, that transition was pretty abrupt historically, but I doubt that was taken into consideration. Because of their connection to each other in local history, I would have placed the Ft. Supply exhibit closer to the Plains Indians exhibit instead of across the museum, as the timeline jumps from room to room, and it would have put each exhibit into context if they had been physically closer. Even a slight adjustment to current exhibit layout and a creative use of floor space would provide the room necessary to join the two together. That's just a minor quibble that doesn't detract from what the museum is attempting to do, which is to show the rich and diverse history of the region. The other bigger issue I have is the use of one wing of the museum as an art gallery for an artist (is he even local?) to sell his paintings and wood carvings. I wouldn't even mention it if the art were Woodward or Oklahoma sourced or related, but as best as I can tell, there's no explanation made, no connection given (some of the photos are even captioned with out-of-state locations like Colorado) -- you just find yourself in a room with woodcraft and photos from some guy, with a price tag. Sure, support your local artist, but surely there are more local artists who could have used some of that space as well? A showcase of local artists instead of one huge room dedicated to one? I wouldn't mind it so much if I remembered a good chunk of the museum is out in the annex, which isn't marked well -- I always forget to check out the whole other half of the museum because it's in a whole other building, so I keep missing out. Better signage would at least insure people check out the other exhibits. Or, turn the annex into the art gallery and keep all the museum exhibits under one roof. I think this issue drops it from 5 to 4 stars for me. Otherwise, I think the current curator has done quite a good job with the exhibits, to the point I was really impressed during my recent visit there, despite my feelings about the artist gallery. I've visited a fair number of museums, and this still ranks as one of the best small town museums (I'd almost venture to say "hidden treasure") I've visited.

Sod House is a must see. Take your kids/grandkids…read more Good history lesson without seeming like it. Renea, the curator is awesome of all the knowledge on the Soddy. You'll want to take lots of pictures!

You're driving how many hours to go see a what?…read more Telling people that you're going to a sod house will likely result in their bewilderment. I find it fascinating and first came upon the sod house museum a number of years ago as I was driving the smaller roads in this area. I saw a sign for the sod house museum and couldn't resist. A few weeks ago, I decided to return for another visit. So, what is a sod house? It's sort of a dirt igloo only bigger. A sod plow was used to split the grass in the fields into long rows. A shovel then sectioned the rows into 18" dirt blocks. These blocks were used to build the walls of the 'soddy' (which is the slang term for the house). Trees on the land were sourced to form the rafters that lay across the top of the structure. More sod blocks were laid on top of the rafters like shingles. The roof on this soddy may have been about a foot thick. Alkali clay found nearby was the ingredient in a pasty compound used to finish the interior walls. It was essentially a home-made plaster. A thin cloth was used as the finished ceiling. Newspaper was initially used as wallpaper. This soddy was unusual in that it had two rooms and, incredibly, it's over 120 years old. (It's only been safely protected in this museum shell since 1967.) Oklahoma gets some rough weather and a soddy house was lucky to last a few years. Homesteaders essentially relied on dirt as protection. That wasn't the only hardship. Unlike a real house, residents essentially shared their space with the animal kingdom. Rodents lived in the walls. Snakes slithered in the ceiling. They were good neighbors in the big picture, though, because bugs were an ever present problem. It puts modern-day hardships in perspective, doesn't it? Why didn't folks just build a real house? Poverty and lack of resources. Homesteaders barely had enough money for their farm tools. Proper lumber was not readily available and it was expensive so the few trees on a property were a luxury to obtain the rafters. Personally, I truly think this simple museum is one of the most historic places in the United States. This sod house is National Park Service or Smithsonian-worthy both culturally and architecturally. It's no less important than a Native American ruin or Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Not only is this soddy over 120 years old, which is remarkable in itself, but it's the last one in Oklahoma built by a homesteader. It's also an original. It hasn't been rebuilt -- aside from some newer sod in the late 1960s -- and it's not a modern-day replica. Sod houses once numbered in the thousands across the plains and into Canada. Few stand now and this one is a window into a time that, frankly, probably very of us know existed. Oklahoma seems to take this humble museum for granted and it hangs on by a thread. Unless politicians, historians, and residents take this place up as an important cause, this crucial link the the past might fade away in time like the thousands of other sod houses. Are you planning next summer's trip to jet off to the architectural wonders of Europe or some other far-flung place? Instead, you might consider loading up the car and settle in for the long drive to Aline, Oklahoma.

Second time there. First time was several years ago. I like the mixture of historic artifacts…read more The Greek and Roman sections were my favorites. I spent a lot of time reading the information posted. I spent over two hours there. There is a children's play area on the third floor if you want to bring your youngsters.

I am a sucker for old school encyclopedic museums, and this one is pretty iconic in this arena…read more It's eclectic, filled with oddities, and super fun for the whole family. Where else are you going to see dinosaurs, mummys, and a handwritten letter by Elizabeth I? I really enjoyed walking around, exploring, and I know my kiddo did as well. It's in an old building downtown and has loads of charm everywhere you look. 4/5 stars because I thought the kids play area was a bit of a letdown - it felt a bit dirty and neglected. There also isn't a cafe, which I think would be a fun addition if they ever plan on expanding or remodeling. The exhibits were wonderful though, and I thought for the price it was a great deal. Overall I'd for sure go back and if you're the kind of person that enjoys something off the beaten path, or has a love for old stories and a solid diorama, this is the place for you.

Ok, So this site is currently being improved so there is a bunch that you may not be able to visit…read more The grounds are very spooky honestly. The historical buildings are very well preserved and the history is very interesting. The cemetery and roadside landmark info is astonishing. I can't wait till you can visit the buildings more.

We stopped here to check out this historical site. From the road it looks almost empty with a few…read moregrave markers standing upright but when you enter you see many cement markers laying flat on the ground. The cemetery doesn't look kept, the weeds are growing, some old markers are broken and scattered. We saw one that was just a year and 4 mths old, then another with mother and child buried together. It looks like this is a mixture of soldiers, Indians, a doctor and maybe some mental patients that no one claimed. While we were there a white van stopped in front of our vehicle on the road, a correctional officer walked up to us. The prison watches over this cemetery to make sure no one damages anything or does anything illegal. We went ahead and left, but found the cemetery to be interesting.

This place is a treasure. Free to enter, it's an amazingly comprehensive grotto of history…read morepertaining to Oklahoma, and the "Wild West" in general. It's a shame this place doesn't top many Oklahoma "to-do" lists. It appeared online after some deep digging of things we could do when en route to the Great Salt Plains. In the end, turns out we could've solely made a day trip around this place and it would've been a summer weekend well spent. Inside you'll find taxidermy, saddles, movie memorabilia, old dolls (only vaguely creepy) and a host of other artifacts. Even fossilized dinosaur poop (or so they say). The huge building is also home to a slew of western-themed "movie sets" which the owners use for their own productions, and which the public is free to explore on off days. Best of all is when you get to talking with the owners. They've got a wealth of information if you take a moment to chat. They've got rollicking tales from their old movie shoots- and best of all a heap of John Wilkes Booth conspiracy theories linked to the town of Enid and stemming from their days working on the crew of the "Unsolved Mysteries" series. You'll leave this place feeling a huge sense of affection for the great state of Oklahoma and the wonderfully quirky folks who inhabit it.

This place is a little hidden gem in Enid. Lot's of interesting things to see here in this movie…read moremuseum and the owner is just the most enjoyable person to talk to! We'll definitely return on our next visit to Enid.

Next stop on our cross-country road trip was one I've been wanting do for years! The Twister…read moremuseum. We actually added about 3 hours on our drive just so I could visit! Twister is my favorite movie, so visiting was huge for me. The ladies at the museum had so much information and behind-the-scenes knowledge. There are artifacts from the originally movie, photos, letters, costumes and even THE original Dorothy from the movie. There are pieces from the new Twisters movie, including the yellow barrels and trailer used in the film. The museum is free, but they operate on donations, so please donate to keep this gem open. Also, but some merch to help them out!

If you're a fan of the 1996 movie Twister, or you're fascinated by tornadoes and storm chasing, the…read moreTwister Movie Museum in Wakita is an interesting stop. I surprised my wife (cue the eye roll ) with a two-hour drive from Edmond to visit the filming location. The drive through rural Oklahoma was enjoyable and actually helped set the mood for thinking about the movie and why this area was chosen. The museum is housed in what was once the production office during filming, which is a neat piece of history in itself. Inside you'll find movie memorabilia, photos from the set, props, Dorothy, the yellow "Twister" barrels, a Twister pinball machine (which was donated by Bill Paxton), and plenty of behind-the-scenes items that fans will appreciate. The highlight of our visit was Linda, the museum host. Lori and I were the only visitors, so we had the opportunity to ask lots of questions. Linda was friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to share stories about the filming and the town's connection to the movie. She definitely made the visit more enjoyable. We spent about 30 minutes exploring everything. So, was it worth a two-hour drive? That depends. If you're a die-hard Twister fan, a storm-chasing enthusiast, or someone like me who enjoys checking unique Oklahoma destinations off a retirement bucket list, I'd say yes. If you're simply looking for a major museum experience, you may find it a little underwhelming. For me, it was a fun adventure, an enjoyable drive through Oklahoma, and another memorable stop on our travels. Rating: (3/5) - Worth visiting if it matches your interests, especially if you're already exploring north-central Oklahoma.

After a night in nearby Liberal that left me robbed, assaulted (not seveley), and with my identity…read morestolen, Meade was Kansas' saving grace. Driving up a slight hill toward the museum, I suddenly felt like I was back in that retro, picturesque bit of America summer movies are made of. The sun was shining through the leaves of the numerous trees lining the streets, birds were chirping, and adorable houses sat with proud American flags out front. The museum is rustic, with a stage and sets of western themed buildings out back. I'm guessing they're technically for field trips, but they were still a lot of fun to run around as an adult. The jail cell makes for great photo ops. Inside, the gift shop is filled with awesome knick knacks. I purchased some "rabbit poop" (chocolate covered raisins). The curator is a funny guy, dressed in period clothes. I told him about our story from the night before and that led to a long conversation about the second amendment's merits for situations like that. I love middle America. He explained to us the really interesting story of the Dalton gang and the hideouts history then let us go through the restored tunnel up into the main house. It's filled with pieces from that era, some of which I think was from the Dalton's family members. Upstairs is an attic, and what attic isn't complete without texidermy? Coyotes, turkeys, and even a two headed calf stare back at you when you enter. Saddles and old rifles are sandwiched in between. Of all the places I went to in Kansas, Meade had to be the cutest. It was quiet and peaceful and filled with quirky (yet nice) people. All in all, Meade and its Dalton Gang Hideout are a great little excursion.

We did not have high expectations since we knew what we were going to see. We did need to get out…read moreof the car after traveling for awhile to stretch our legs. It was dusty in the museum but it was nice to see the old relics displayed. The underground walk way was rebuilt in the 40's so we were told. And yes there is no proof of the Daltons actually being there but it was up to your imagination to think about it. There were many posters to read about the gang which took much of our time since the rest is easy and quick to see. The house is super small inside as you notice from the outside but nice to see the dated furniture. I looked at the $5 admission fee per person as a donation for the historic society. And the best part they had those candy cigarettes that I remembered when I was a kid. Best thing ever.

Didn't enjoy the museum. Found it to be lacking. The museum BEFORE the renovation had more…read moreinteresting exhibits. It's a beautiful building. The grounds are nice. The new exhibits are limited. Really enjoyed the old photographs they used to have downstairs. Need more history exhibits on pioneers, local native Americans , the hispanics and Chinese workers who helped build the local railroad (cemetery nearby with several of the workers buried there), local incidents w klan, etc.

Very nice place to learn about the land run and local info about Enid. The facility is very modern…read moreand they have a great theatre inside where you watch a 20 min history wrap-up. We didn't get a chance to see the schoolhouse and outbuildings this time because there wasn't an available guide (apparently required). I was with two of my kids and it's not super kid-friendly but has a nice gift shop for them. I will definitely go back when I'm not having to watch the kids so much.

History, records, newspapers, exhibits, collections, art, family heritage. A genealogist's treasure…read moretrove. Open 10-4 on weekdays. Phone # 806-852-2123.