Owasso Historical Museum
A visit to Owasso Museum will give you a peek into the life in this city when it was still a small settlement. A former grocery store now houses the museum and its contents. One of the centerpieces is a cloth loom, which was built in 1860. Handmade and with each part connected using a peg, the loom is still in excellent condition. There are also artworks and war memorabilia with accompanying stories to tell.
Nestled off Main Street in Owasso, Oklahoma is the Owasso Historical Museum. Many residents pass by it daily, yet are surprised to know that the city has a museum, let alone the fact that the museum has been there since the later part of 1991. On the outside of the museum is a breathtaking mural that covers the entire side of the building. It displays what Owasso used to look like showing Whitney Lumber, Ballard Livery and Feed, the hotel, and the Millinery Shop. Seeing the mural is most definitely a sneak peek into what the museum’s guests will have the pleasure of seeing while spending time looking into Owasso’s past.
Mission Statement
To collect, preserve, and exhibit objects and materials relating to the history of the City of Owasso and the surrounding area, and to provide related educational services for the purpose of increasing and enriching public knowledge of the history and heritage of the area.
Some of the must-see items housed inside include beautiful artwork, old war memorabilia and uniforms, and an original butcher block that was once in use. One of the most interesting, and unexpected, items that the museum houses are the large cloth loom made in the 1860s. This piece was made by hand and was held together by pegs so that it could be easily dismantled and moved. It was passed down through the Sides family and was used for many decades. Its intricate pieces and layers of cloth give the visitor a taste of just how hard one had to work in order to create a beautiful rug or even create a family’s everyday clothing. The fact that it is still standing today shows how well made it was and that the Sides family truly valued it enough to maintain it for generations to come.
Each guest is greeted by friendly faces willing to lend their assistance or answer any question one might have. Admission to the museum is free, although donations are accepted. Tours are available for large groups by appointment.