04/18/2026
This year, the Skiatook Museum celebrates 50 years of preserving our town’s past! While we tell the story of Skiatook’s days gone by, the museum itself has a rich history of bringing our community together to reminisce on the people, places, and events that shaped us into the Skiatook we are today. As we prepare to unearth a portion of that history from the museum’s grounds, let’s pull back the curtain on our little slice of heaven that newer residents may not know about!
The Skiatook Historical Society was founded on March 15th, 1976, with 16 members in attendance for the initial gathering of local historians. Its mission was, and is, simple; preserve the vibrant history of Skiatook, from the early pioneer days to the present! For years, the museum’s board met in 5 different locations, looking for a permanent home to display its quickly growing collection. That home was realized when the daughter of Dr. W. G. Phillips, Betty Phillips Harris, donated his home and office located at 115 S. Broadway St. to the museum in 1988. Using grants from the Oklahoma Historical Society and the tireless work of volunteers, the home was fully renovated to include display cases and, later, a meeting room for the historically inclined. Museum volunteers officially welcomed the community into the Phillips home on October 27th, 1989.
The early history of Skiatook was originally documented by two historians, C. H. Cleveland and G. B. Epperson, in their book “Skiatook 1872 to 1921”. It was the first catalog of Skiatook’s early founding by W. C. Rogers and includes a list of nearly every resident who conducted trade in the area. Without the work of Cleveland and Epperson, much of Skiatook’s early history would have been lost to time. In 1999, the museum took the foundation they laid and penned a new and updated book on the history of Skiatook. This book includes profiles of influential and long-lived family lines, a catalog of businesses spanning from statehood to the year 2000, and a collection of Skiatook’s interesting events. Both books and a number of others which cover our community’s history are available for purchase in the museum!
Throughout the years, thousands of curious residents and their families from across the country and world have visited our museum and marveled at our collection. There is truly something for everyone, no matter your interests, and every item from paintings and cabinets to yearbooks and personal letters have been donated by residents just like you! Do you enjoy quilting and sewing? Come see our collection of handmade quilts and turn-of-the-century dresses! Are you a military veteran? We have a full room dedicated to celebrating our town’s servicemen and women, particularly those who served during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Do you have an appreciation for quality kitchen items? Browse our collection of fine China and kitchen utensils owned by some of the original Skiatook pioneers and influential families!
Today, the Skiatook Museum builds on the dedication and research completed by Skiatook’s historians of the past while preserving the present for future generations. After 50 years of continuous operation, our love and dedication for this community have only grown brighter! And best of all, anyone who has a passion for local history can join our ranks. Just come on in and inquire, we’d be happy to have you!
Join us one week from today on April 25th at 11:00 a.m. as we open our time capsule and reveal items which haven’t seen the light of day in 26 years! Afterwards, come inside and browse our collection. If it has been a while since your last visit, you may see a few new items hiding in displays just waiting for you to learn their history!
If you’re unable to join us, fret not. The contents of the time capsule will be displayed in our meeting room every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by special request through our page’s Messenger account!
