Museums of McCurtain County

Culture and history are plentiful in McCurtain County each with its own unique subject to offer a rewarding learning experience. The Gardner Mansion and Museum is well-known for their collection of pre-historic and historic Indian and pioneer artifacts. The museum was originally a mansion built in 1884 for Jefferson Gardner who later went on to be the chief of the Choctaws Indians for several years. Also located outside the museum are the remains of a 2,000 year-old Cypress tree.
At the entrance to the Beavers Bend Resort Park lies the Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum. Not only does this museum feature wildlife exhibits but also environmental education, making it a true learning experience for all ages.

The Forest Heritage Center Museum is located within the Beavers Bend Resort Park. Through a series of 14 large dioramas, painted by famous Smokey Bear artist Harry Rossoll, visitors learn the important role forestry plays in their lives. The Forest Heritage Center is also home to another Harry Rossoll creation, Tree Bear, who was developed to encourage tree planting and spread the message “Good Things Come From Trees!” One of the museum’s newest exhibits, “The People of the Forest,” includes over 150 historic photographs illustrating early day logging in and around Broken Bow and the surrounding communities.
Peter Toth Totem Pole: This is one in a 50 state series of “Trail of Tears” sculptures by Hungarian artist, Peter Toth. Mr. Peter Wolf Toth came to Oklahoma to sculpt Oklahoma’s Indian monuments. Mr. Toth’s goal in life was to complete at least one sculpture in each of the fifty states. To date, he has done 67 monuments. All of his monuments are his own concept of the North American Indian and bear many similarities, except for certain characteristics, which pertain to the Indians of that region, such as feathers, headbands, or other decorations.

The Museum of the Red River houses one of the finest and most comprehensive Native American collections to be found anywhere. Changing, interpretive exhibits feature the historic, prehistoric, and contemporary native cultures of both North and South America. The museum is located on the south edge of Idabel.

Also located west of Idabel is the Gene Autry Museum which has a large collection of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers memorabilia. The Car Legends Museum has the area’s finest collections of muscle cars of the 60s and 70s. Wheelock Academy located in Millerton is a former Native-American girl’s boarding school and an important part of the Choctaw history, is currently being restored for the use of preserving the Choctaw culture and heritage.

Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum
Located at the entrance to Beavers Bend State Park
May thru August Hours
Monday-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 11a.m. to 9 p.m.
580-494-6193
nature@pine-net.com
www.pine-net.com/nature

Car Legends Museum
Located between Broken Bow and Idabel
Tuesday-Friday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.;
Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
580-286-2220

Gardner Mansion and Museum Gene Autry Museum
Located 6 miles east of Broken Bow located west of Idabel
Call 580-584-6588 for an appointment Call 286-3747 for an appointment

Museum of the Red River Wheelock Academy
812 E Lincoln Road, Idabel Located in Millerton
580-286-3616 580-746-2139
www.museumoftheredriver.org

Forest Heritage Center Indian Memorial Museum
Located in Beavers Bend Resort Park 402 E. 2nd St, Broken Bow
Open Daily: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Open Thurs - Monday
Admission is free 9am – 5pm
580-494-6497 580-584-6531
fhc@beaversbend.com
www.beaversbend.com