Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum - Gene Autry, OK
Posted by: hamquilter
N 34° 16.921 W 097° 02.488
14S E 680279 N 3795162
This museum tells the story of the singing cowboys of movie, radio and TV - specifically Gene Autry.
Waymark Code: WM103V6
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 02/20/2019
Views: 4
This museum, located in the town that bears his name, is dedicated to keeping alive the memory of Gene Autry and other Western cowboys. Gene Autry was born 9/29/1907 in Tioga, Texas and lived much of his childhood in Southern Oklahoma. In 1941, he bought a 1200 acre Flying A Ranch west of Berwyn, Oklahoma and in his honor, they renamed the town Gene Autry. He is the only celebrity to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for his work in Motion Picture, Radio, Music Recording, TV and Live Performance. He was discovered by Will Rogers and catapulted to fame during the 1930s to 1960s. In 1935, his movie Tumbling Tumbleweeds was the first Western musical. During WWII, he was an Army Air Force pilot from 1942-1945.
The museum is filled with memorabilia from Gene Autry and other singing cowboys. There are movie posters, photos, guitars and other fun items like children's toys with the Gene Autry theme. The museum hosts numerous singers and groups throughout the year, who perform in the old WPA school building's auditorium. The museum also hosts parties and get-togethers, such as the Oklahoma Film and Music Festival and the Oklahoma Jamboree. Information about the cowboy way of life, and the town of Gene Autry can be learned from the knowledgeable staff. It is a fun place to visit.
The hours shown below are listed as their "current" hours, so it is possible they vary from season to season. Their phone number is 580-294-3276. The museum is run solely on donations.