Experience Oklahoma’s Chisholm Trail in a new way.
Traveling means finding those unique places that turn out to be the hidden gems on your journey – and a stop at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center & Garis Gallery of the American West is an adventure we hope you don’t miss.
It’s a place to discover the Old West in a new way – complete with indoor modern conveniences like restrooms and air conditioning for the hot summer months, or heat in the winter.
You’ll get a chance to kick back in our theater seats and you’ll quickly realize why we call our exclusive movie, “The Chisholm Trail Experience.” Smell that prairie and approaching thunderstorm? Feel that cattle stampede? And the crackle of that lightning? No worries, pardner, you’re safe from the “real outdoor” elements while in our 4-D Experience Theater at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center.
Experience the Old West in the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center.
As you roam throughout the facility, realize we’re not going to rush you. Experience the many exhibits we offer – from playing our newly-upgraded Trail Boss game to eavesdropping on the campfire conversation of Jesse and Tex in our Campfire Theater. Ahem – we make no apologies for our ornery chuck wagons. As you explore the Interactive Area, Duncan General Store, art and history exhibits and the Garis Gallery of the American West, you’ll wonder where the time went, and hopefully it won’t matter.
Remember, you’re experiencing this adventure at your own pace!
Paintings depicting the rough life of a cowboy are on display in the Garis Gallery. Photo: Chisholm Trail Heritage Center.
Our Garis Gallery of the American West has a new look, but still exhibits some of the finest art in history – from our Frederic Remington pieces to Charles Russell, George Catlin and many more. An emphasis in 2019 is on Oklahoma artists like Allan Houser, Chad Payne, Gay Faulkenberry and others. Everyone has a story – and we’re sharing the stories of the artists on display.
Exhibits display mammals along with their prairie habitat. Photo: Chisholm Trail Heritage Center.
For those coming through in 2019, there are many temporary artist exhibitions on schedule. Also, a nationally touring exhibit, “Bison: Ancient. Massive. Wild.” dominates our museum May 24 – July 28. Our annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration happens July 27 and is a full day of indoor fun, with live music, games for the children, a basket maker and an Oklahoma author. In May/June, “Sandy Magrath: Dogs of the Southwest” art will be exhibited; July/Aug/September, “A Texas State of Mind, art by Larry G. Lemons;” and September-January 6, 2020, “Designed by Nature, macro, landscape and wildlife photographs by Sarah Rodefeld.”
We hope you’ll visit us on your travels through America. We’re a 2018 Official Best of Oklahoma Heritage Award winner, an Oklahoma Attraction of the Year, a Top Ten Western Museum by True West magazine, AAA Gem, and an AdventureRoad.com partner.
Duncan is located between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth/Dallas, Texas on historic U.S. Hwy 81, which runs parallel to I-35. Once you reach Duncan on U.S. 81, at the Elk Ave. intersection, head west (right if you are coming from the north, or left if from the south.) At the stoplight at Elk and Chisholm Trail Parkway, turn left/south. CTHC is ½ mile south on the left/east side. Look for the big blue roof and plenty of parking for your motor home. Visit our website for more information.