History comes alive at Museum Broken Arrow

The Broken Arrow Historical Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the 16th year of the Museum Broken Arrow.

Museum Broken Arrow is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, created by the Broken Arrow Historical Society to preserve the local history of the city and its residents. Its mission is to be a place where the community comes together to explore Broken Arrow's past, appreciate its present, and imagine its future.

When it comes to the rich history of Broken Arrow, Executive Director Mickel Yantz is eager to share the city's fascinating past with residents and visitors alike.

"We've had guests from all 50 states, and international guests that come in, but obviously, our advocates are Broken Arrow residents," Yantz said. "When their family and friends come into town, they bring them to the museum to share this history, because it is their history also."

The museum offers a range of programs designed to engage diverse audiences. For example, it recently held its first Murder Mystery dinner, as well as summer education nights, a Kids' Night at the Museum event, a Pioneer dinner, and more.

"Every time somebody comes to the museum, they learn something new because there are so many stories," Yantz said. "History is about storytelling, and so we're about telling as many stories as possible."

Yantz touts the city's rich history, spanning 122 years beginning with the Muskogee Nation's arrival to their land allotments, to the days when cotton manufacturing and coal mining were predominant income streams for early Broken Arrow families.

"We need to know where we came from, so we know which direction we're going, and that unique history needs to be shared," Yantz said.

The Museum Broken Arrow sits on land donated to the city by AVB Bank for the purpose of building a historical museum. Before statehood, it was the location of the Kentucky Colonel Hotel. Although the original hotel was demolished in 1955, the façade of the current building replicates many of its original design features.

Funding for the museum's construction came from bond issues, as well as private and corporate donations. The facility is a city-owned property, and the Broken Arrow Historical Society is the user group that utilizes the facility.

During a City Council General Obligation Bond special meeting on June 18, Yantz discussed the Broken Arrow Historical Society's desire to expand Museum Broken Arrow and how its expansion would enhance outreach.

"We need more space to be able to tell more of Broken Arrow's stories," Yantz said. "We are getting new items donated, and we need display space. And so, having the facility, although it's absolutely amazing, we've run out of space. Our exhibit space is full, and our public rental spaces need to be expanded. We have a third floor that we rent out, but it is limited to only 50 people; if it were larger, we could serve the community so much better."

Yantz encourages voters to get involved and learn more about the bond process and the projects under consideration by the City Council to improve the city.

"It was a bond issue that brought this building to where it is today," he said. "It opened in 2009, and because of the support from the city and the people of Broken Arrow, we are here today, and we are so grateful for all of that. We need to grow a little bit more so that we can keep telling their stories."

For more information about the 2026 General Obligation Bond, go to the city's website, or visit the Museum Broken Arrow website for more information about its hours and programming.