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Wrought iron trellises arch over each gate entrance to the Victorian Garden which is located on the east lawn of the former home of Thomas Gilcrease. The sandstone used in the garden wall and patio, and throughout the grounds as benches and tables, was quarried on the grounds, just as the stone for the residence and the original museum building was. Both permanent and seasonal plants in the Victorian Garden are typical of the period from 1837 to 1901 and the plantings extend to grace three sides of the Gilcrease residence and form the Mary Ingerton and Carl Francis Lea Floral Garden. Included are clematis, wisteria, forsythia, climbing and hybrid roses, winter jasmine, common witch hazel and hydrangea. The gazebo's patio area commands a panoramic view of the Tulsa skyline.
Donor – C.W. Titus Foundation
This garden honors the museum volunteers, the Gillies, and offers a pleasant resting spot by the museum's main entrance. The Messenger Bird, carved on the circular bluestone by famed Apache sculptor Allan Houser, symbolizes the carrying of hopes and prayers to God. The curved bench, with its east-facing entrance, represents the altar of the Native American Church; it has a backdrop of azalea and dogwood.
Donors – Lucia & Travis Freeman
Located just beyond the Gilcrease Mausoleum is the Friendship Garden. The beds are planted with azalea, several varieties of hosta, Christmas, and cinnamon and ostrich ferns.
Donors – Mr. & Mrs. Robert Langholz
Austrian pines are intermingled with canopy trees, dogwoods and native Okla-homa redbuds to form the Byron and Audray Boone Grove. Beautiful the entire year due to the wide variety of spring blooming, fall color and evergreen trees, the grove extends from the north entry to the Rock Garden along the eastern edge of the Gilcrease Grounds.
Donors – Robert W. Davis Family & Friends
The Colonial Garden is designed in the parterre fashion typical of the 1700s. The symmetrical planting areas along the running bond brick walkways are anchored with a circular boxwood topiary in their center. Plants reflecting the Colonial period, such as culinary herbs and a variety of annuals, are used in the ever-changing seasonal color. Framed with yaupon holly, each side of the garden is graced with pink flowering dogwoods that replace the fruit trees of Colonial times and provide spring blooms and autumn radiance.
Donor – James W. Kilmer
The vast expanse known as Stuart Park was once savannah grassland sprinkled with trees. No longer do the buffalo graze over this land nor do fires prevent young saplings from thriving. Although the terrain is varied, the result of these changes is the predominant woodland that visitors experience today. Plants found in the park include big bluestem, blazing star, Mexican hat, American elm, and blackjack, pin, shumard, chinkapin and post oaks. Current development of this area includes a boulder-lined hiking trail from the north parking lot to the ponds below which are enhanced by a wooden gazebo and bridge. Hikers are encouraged to remain on the trails and avoid the poison ivy.
Donors – Harold & Joan Stuart
An excellent view of this garden and the Osage Hills in the distance can be obtained from the museums Vista Room. Red, pink and white azaleas are intermingled with forsythia, dogwood and redbud. Burning bush provides scarlet foliage in autumn and the mature southern magnolia offers winter greenery and early summer blooms. During the starkness of winter, the two small ponds of Stuart Park can be glimpsed through the leafless trees.
Donor – Charles Gannaway Jr.
Native sandstone boulders from Osage County terrace the hillside to create natural planting sites for plants of a variety of textures and hues. The slope of the Rock Garden contains ground-hugging plants such as bleeding heart, columbine, sedum, creeping phlox, and spring-flowering bulbs. The setting has a backdrop of azaleas. Looking southwest, visitors will see the Sister Cities Garden in which a tree is planted in honor of each of Tulsas international sister cities. A sidewalk meanders through the garden and to the entry gates which were crafted and donated by Ernest Wiemann and were inspired by the original gates to the grounds.
Donors – C.W. Titus Foundation
The Pioneer Garden, complete with a hand-built shed, recreates a typical homestead of the mid-1800s. Among the few treasures that early pioneers brought with them to help tame the West were favorite plants and seeds. In this garden, trumpet vine, wild ginger, crested iris, sassafras, blackberry, and Jerusalem artichoke flourish.
Donors – Martha P. Roberts & Sarkeys Foundation
The Pre-Columbian Garden is the first in the progression of five historic theme gardens. Inspired by settlements of the ancient Osage, the Pre-Columbian Garden features plants which were either cultivated or gathered by tribal members for food and fiber, or ceremonial and medicinal purposes. Among the plants found in this garden are coneflower, wild onion, prarie button snakeroot, pawpaw, and sumac. Adding to the historical interpretation of this garden are two typical Native American structures, a long wigwam and a brush arbor.
Donors – Pamela & Hans Peter Norberg
Named in honor of Oklahoma Senators David Boren and Don Nickles, the Senators Walk leads north from the main museum entrance and is lined with shumard oaks.
Donors – Mr. & Mrs. Robert Langholz
Free public and group tours are available for those who would like to learn more
about the gardens. Click here for more information.
Special presentations on the Gilcrease Gardens and Gilcrease Museum are available to
local organizations and clubs through the Speaking of Gilcrease program.
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