Woolaroc: Museum, Wildlife Refuge, and Oklahoma Landmark

When Oklahoma oilman Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips 66, built his weekend retreat southwest of Bartlesville in 1925 he sought a combination of luxury and rustic comfort. At Woolaroc, his former home is just part of a complex that includes a musuem, wildlife reserve, and more. Open to the public, Woolaroc is both history lesson and living history.

The lodge that Phillips built was patterned after the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon. Rustic pine walls and Old West decor including chandeliers fashioned from antlers characterize the place he called his home away from home. A back terrace overlooks Clyde Lake and is surrounded by 3,600 acres of near wilderness.

Visitors can tour this Lodge which remains furnished as it was during Phillips' life. They can also visit the Woolaroc Musuem. The facility began in a smaller structure to house Frank Phillips' own growing art collection. As his collection grew, his ambition increased until he had a self-directed mission. To preserve the history and culture of the Southwestern United States, he began collecting artifacts from around the nation and world. Iowa born, Phillips was fascinated with the Old West so both his home and collections demonstrate that interest.

Already impressive before his death, the Woolaroc Musuem collections include Navajo blankets, Western artworks that include works by Frederick Remington and Charles Russell, firearms, Native American items that include clothing, tools, and more, gowns from former First Ladies, and too many items to list.

The museum, lodge, and grounds of the estate were left to the public upon Phillips death. Frank Phillips had already introduced buffalo and long horned cattle to his ranch. With an interest in wildlife, he had also added species that included yaks, camels, and black swans. Some proved unsuited to the Oklahoma climate but today the descendents of the original buffalo and cattle roam among elk, deer, bison, ostriches, and emu. A two-mile drive through the wooded estate allows visitors to catch a glimspe of these creatures. There is also a petting zoo.