Visiting the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa

Josh planned for us to go to the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa on Friday morning.  What an incredible place this was!

Evidently, it used to be a private residence.  Here's what I found online:

Vila Philbrook was a child of the Twenties.  World War I was over.  Women could vote.  It was a time of flappers, rumble seats, prohibition, bootleggers and five-cent Cokes.  More than that, in Tulsa the Twenties smelled of oil and resounded with money.

In 1926 Edward Buehler Delk (1885-1956), a Kansas City architect, was hired to design an Italian Renaissance villa on 25 arcres by oilman Waite Phillips.  Delk skillfully interpreted Renaissance styles in the most fashionable manner of the day and was hired in a burst of commissions with three major projects at once:  Villa Philbrook, Villa Philmonte and Philtower office building.  This impressive home was completed in 1927.  Friends say that the Phillipses built the villa as a place where their two children could entertain friends.  When they moved in, daughter Helen was sixteen, son Elliot was ten.

In 1938 Waite Phillips surprised Tulsans with the announcement of his gift of the 72-room mansion and surrounding 23 acres of grounds as an art center for the city of Tulsa. The vision first made possible by Waite and Genevieve Phillips is now one of America's finest art museums. The integrity of the original residence remains intact while later additions to the facility and gardens complete this classic Tulsa attraction.

Serving over 160,000 visitors annually, Philbrook has become a poignant testimony to Tulsa's past while building a shining example of this city's bright future. Through the generosity of Trustees, Donors, and the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Philbrook opened a new satellite facility in Tulsa's Brady Arts District on June 14, 2013 featuring the Museum's growing collection of Modern and contemporary art as well as highlights from the comprehensive Native American collection, which includes the Eugene B. Adkins Collection and Study Center.

What began as an unprecedented gift to the community of Tulsa by the Phillips family continues today through the generosity of Philbrook Members and  donors.

 - The Philbrook Story

Eli enjoyed going round and round "Elf" style.

 
A painting of the young king Joash, who became king at age 7.  That evening, we read the story to the children.  2 Kings 11-12

 My favorite paintings are those that tell stories. 

   An Angry Sea by Thomas Moran.  1887.   You can spot the person who fell overboard.

 The Slave Hunt, also by Thomas Moran  1864
We talked through the story with the kids.  I told Eli I wanted to envision a happy ending with the slaves getting away from the dogs and the hunters.

How hard life was.  Is. 

I am so glad to have the Lord to go to!

      "I call on You, O God, for You will answer me;
       give ear to me and hear my prayer.
      Show the wonder of Your great love,
          You who save by Your right hand
            those who take refuge in You from their foes.
       Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
         hide me in the shadow of Your wings."
                                Psalm 17:6-8

One day He will make all things new!  No more evil.  Hate.  He will restore and renew!  I recently read "All Things New" by Eldredge and it brought me such joy and anticipation!

The Overland Express by Oscar Berninghaus, c.1930

This would have been a terrifying experience!

The Little Shepherdess by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1889

The outdoor grounds were gorgeous!

 

 It was quite an experience driving around the area where this museum was also.  The homes there were jaw-dropping!   Mindy, you would have enjoyed this so much! (My youngest daughter and I used to drive in some pretty spectacular neighborhoods just for fun.)

We ended the morning with a stop at the Cheesecake Factory!

 The portions were HUGE!  Al and I shared one plate...

...and we ALL shared one cheesecake!