Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum | Oklahoma City

Information

Landmark: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
City: Oklahoma City
Country: USA Oklahoma
Continent: North America

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Oklahoma City, USA Oklahoma, North America

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is a memorial and museum located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, commemorating the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Visual Characteristics

The memorial grounds cover 3.7 acres. Key features include the Field of 292 empty chairs, each representing a life lost, arranged in nine rows. The Survivor Tree, a large American Elm, stands on the west side of the memorial. The Outdoor Memorial includes a reflecting pool and a granite wall inscribed with the names of the victims. The Museum is housed in a 15,000 square foot building adjacent to the memorial.

Location & Access Logistics

The memorial is situated in downtown Oklahoma City at 620 N. Harvey Ave. It is approximately 0.5km north of the central business district. Parking is available in a dedicated lot adjacent to the museum, accessible from N. Harvey Ave. Public transport options include various city bus routes that stop within walking distance of the memorial.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2001, and the museum opened in 2001. It was designed by William J. Culley, Hans & Torrey Butzer, and Sven Berg. The original purpose was to honor the victims of the April 19, 1995, bombing. The Survivor Tree is an American Elm that survived the bombing.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can walk through the Outdoor Memorial, reflecting on the Field of 292 chairs and the Survivor Tree. The museum offers exhibits detailing the events leading up to, during, and after the bombing, including artifacts, oral histories, and interactive displays. Guided tours of the museum are available.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available within the museum. Shaded areas are present in the museum lobby and select outdoor seating areas. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available on the grounds. Food vendors are not located directly on the memorial grounds, but are available in the surrounding downtown area.

Best Time to Visit

The Outdoor Memorial is accessible 24 hours a day. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. For photography, early morning or late afternoon light provides softer illumination on the memorial elements. Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) offer the most temperate weather conditions.

Facts & Legends

The exact placement of the chairs in the Field of 292 is significant; they are arranged in nine rows, representing the nine floors of the federal building that were affected by the blast. The chairs are also oriented towards the site of the destroyed building.