TULSA LIVING HISTORY
Telling Tulsa’s Story….
Copyright 2024 Kerry Mark Joels
Route 66 Alliance
All rights reserved
Tulsa is known historically as the Capital of Route 66 and has the moniker of Oil Capital
of the World. It is built on a legacy of Native American, black and white cultures swirling
together in strife and harmony. Tulsa’s history parallels much of the 20th Century
American experience. It is a story of triumph and tragedy, of resilience and fortitude.
The 2026 Route 66 Centennial is an opportunity to tell this saga for tens of thousands of
visitors from all over the world.
Why not tell Centennial visitors about it through a living history? Like Colonial
Williamsburg’s citizen actors can tell the tales of the city’s past through the stories of its
people. City folk (actors) will spin the yarns and share the feelings of the Tulsa story and
what makes Tulsa unique. Each element will be sponsored by local corporations,
businesses, and foundations.
It’s a high-visibility activity that does not require extensive physical infrastructure and
can be produced easily by the Centennial launch.
BLACK WALL STREET
Imagine walking Black Wall Street and talking with its citizens, riding a jitney, and
learning its fate and future. Period clothing, vehicles, shops, and restaurants show what
was done when given opportunity and can be undone by hate. Buy a copy of the Tulsa
Star newspaper. Talk to residents about the hopes and fears of the
neighborhood.
Historical Cast:
Simon Berry
Mary Elizabeth Jones Parrish
John Williams
Loula Williams
John D. Mann
Buck Colbert Franklin
Mabel B. Little
Edward P. McCabe
Ottawa W. Hurley
Children:
Viola Fletcher
Lessie Benningfield
Hughes Van Ellis
HISTORICAL MUSIC AND CULTURAL ACTIVITY
Tulsa’s musical roots and current prominence can be dramatized in a reenactment of
Texas Playboy broadcasts from the Cains and programs at the Tulsa theater, Jazz Hall,
and Guthrie Center. Attend a session at the Church Studio. Performances including
fiddle fest, folk reenactment, jazz performance, and rock history.
Artist tribute performances:
Bob Wills and Texas Playboys,
Tommy Allsup (Buddy Holly band)
Jazz- Ernie Fields, Hal Singer, Roy Milton
Tulsa Sound tribute
Roots music – John Fullbright, Samantha Crain, Townes Van Zandt, Travis Kidd
Fiddlers
OIL CAPITAL
The Oil Capital story can be related with wildcatters demonstrating old oilfield
equipment and telling tales at the fairgrounds.
Cast:
Engineer
Driller
Mechanic
Floorhand
Roustabout
Wildcatter
Pipeline welder
Pipeline inspector
INDIAN TERRITORY
The legacy of the Indian Territory can be dramatically experienced at a tribal pow wow at
the Fairgrounds. Try some fry bread.
TuLSA FIELD OF DREAMS
Exhibition games with retro uniforms of the Tulsa Oilers and the T-Town Clowns.have
some peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
CAVALCADE OF HISTORY – The Vehicles of Route 66
Historic cars and trucks from each decade of the 66 experience. A parade will kick off
The Centennial and a static display will allow an up close experience with the drivers.
Ford Model A
1930 Ford coupe
Willys Jeep
Studebaker sedan
1957 Chevrolet
1959 Cadillac
1966 Corvette
1975 Honda Accord
Hummer H1
Chevrolet Volt
Ford F150 Lightning
LOGISTICS
The sights will be linked together with regular bus and trolley runs.
These immersive experiences will be the highlight for Route 66 travelers and create a
premier educational and cultural environment on into the future.
IMPLEMENTATION
Venue identification and site plan
Venue storyboard
Collect personal stories
Character identification and scripting
Costuming and casting
Site artifacts, set preparation
Sponsorship identification
Merchandise, giveaways, promotional items (facsimiles of Tulsa Star and Tulsa
World newspapers, plastic oilfield hard hats, motoring caps, deco souvenirs, s, Western
swing dance charts, downloadable music clips, retro baseball caps)
Scheduling
Transportation
Media production