Greater Southwest Historical Museum

08/13/2026

This morning, as we posed for our traditional “First Day of School” photos, we spent time reflecting on how special the first day of school is, and the fun tradition of capturing that moment.

Early school pictures looked very different from today.
The cameras were large and the process was slow.
Many early school portraits were formal keepsakes that families treasured, as photography wasn’t something everyone had access to.

As technology evolves and styles change, it is important we capture these special moments. From the little ones taking their very first school pictures, to the seniors taking one of their last, every smile has a story worth remembering.

Welcome back, students! We hope your year is great!

07/10/2026

We had the best time welcoming Ardmore's Firefighters to our museum yesterday.

They brought along their beautiful, hand-crafted Ardmore Firefighters Association Retirement Signing Book, which honors the dedicated men and women who have served our city.
We especially love that the book features our very own steam-powered fire engine, which is original to Ardmore!

These gentlemen toured the museum and enjoyed exploring all of our building's nooks and crannies. Since they were here, we asked if they could give us a tour of their fire engines and they did not hesitate!

Caitlin and Cassandra had an amazing time learning more about Ardmore's Fire Department, seeing the specialized tools firefighters use, and gaining an even greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication it takes to keep our community safe.

Thank you for spending time with us, for being such wonderful guests, and for your generous donation of new items to our museum. We truly appreciate your support!

Ardmore Firefighters Local 1881

06/13/2026

A big thank you to Dixie Harper for sponsoring yesterday's "Muffins & Manners" event!

While only three of our reservations were able to attend, we still had a wonderful time together.

Our day was filled with coloring, crafting, laughter, and sharing some of our favorite things. Sometimes the smallest gatherings create the sweetest memories!

We are so grateful for Dixie’s support, and our wonderful attendees. Together they helped make this special event possible.

Thank you for bringing us together to create meaningful connections.

Fun is always had around here! Be sure to visit us this summer.
We are open Tuesday- Saturday from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

06/10/2026

On behalf of the Military Memorial Museum, we would like to thank everyone who attended our twenty-fifth induction ceremony on Monday, June 8th, where we inducted Chief Warrant Officer-CW4 Randy Growall into our Hall of Honor.

We are proud to honor Randy’s professional ability and outstanding accomplishments. He brings major credit to himself, the State of Oklahoma, and the Nation.

The Military Memorial Museum’s Hall of Honor recognizes local individuals with exemplary achievements in both their military and civilian lives.

Congratulations Randy!

05/22/2026

Join us on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. for “Muffins & Manners,” an afternoon of learning, crafts, snacks, and games.

Attendees will participate in activities that emphasize good manners, social skills, and sharing.

Individuals of all ages are welcome, and snacks will be available. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

To reserve a spot or to obtain more information, please contact us at 580-226-3857 or email [email protected]. Reservations should be made by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026.

We hope to see you there!

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

Another incredible video by the Esteem Education crew!
Thank you for highlighting our amazing collection. We can't wait to see you again!
Be sure to follow along for more great content.

04/23/2026

Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of one of America’s deadliest military air disasters of its time.

On April 22, 1966, American Flyers Airline Flight 280/D was traveling from California to Georgia, carrying 98 people: ninety-two soldiers, five crew members, and one airline employee. Many soldiers were en route to their final airborne training before deployment to Vietnam.

As the aircraft approached Ardmore Municipal Airport to refuel, tragedy struck. The pilot, who had a history of coronary insufficiency, became incapacitated in the final moments of the flight. With no time for the first officer to react, the aircraft descended rapidly and crashed into the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains.

The impact was devastating. Though eighteen passengers initially survived, three later succumbed to their injuries. First responders encountered heartbreaking scenes, with survivors severely burned and still strapped in their seats.

In the days that followed, temporary morgues were established throughout Ardmore, and Army National Guard members worked tirelessly to recover victims and debris.

Today, we remember the lives lost, the lives forever changed, and the community that came together in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

To honor their memories, we invite you to visit our exhibit at the Greater Southwest Historical Museum. Artifacts from this event are on permanent display in our Military Memorial Museum.

By remembering, we ensure these stories are never lost.

04/01/2026

After 12 incredible years of leadership, dedication, and impact, (plus an 89th birthday), our director, Wesley Hull, has officially announced his plans to retire later this year.

It’s hard to put into words what he means to us.
From navigating challenges to celebrating successes, he’s always been a constant source of support, wisdom, and the best well-timed jokes.

While we’re excited for him to begin this well-deserved next chapter, with more time to relax, fish, and enjoy life outside of work, it sure is going to be an adjustment around here.

Please join us in congratulating Admiral Wesley Hull and his amazing career. We wish him nothing but the best in his upcoming retirement! 😭💚

-

(If your heart skipped a beat, April Fools! Wes is not getting rid of us that easily.)

03/18/2026

We noticed some suspicious activity around the office last week!

Odd smells, sneaky smiles, and a director who was unaware.

🚨🐟 Something was fishy! 🚨🐟

It might have had to do with a very special birthday! 🥳🎂

We celebrated our director’s birthday on Friday by dressing like him, sharing jokes, and posing for polaroids!

We hope Wes had a wonderful birthday filled with laughter, surprises, and just a little bit of mischief 😄🎣