Shawnee has a rich history! Four Native American Tribes. Cattle drives. Oklahoma Baptist University. The railroad. Astronauts. And Round House Overalls. The many volunteers with the Pottawatomie County Historical Society have worked to preserve Shawnee's history, and you can see it on display at the Pottawatomie County Museum. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Learn more about the Pottawatomie County Museum here. Here are the top 10 things to see when you visit the Pottawatomie County Museum in historic downtown Shawnee! 1. The World's Largest Pair of Overalls! Guinness Book of World Records verified ! 17-foot tall; nearly 15-foot waist; and buttons that are 8 inches in diameter. The overalls celebrate the rich history of Round House Jeans in Shawnee. 2. A model of Downtown Shawnee. The buildings and streets are to scale and meticulously detailed. You feel like you're flying over Downtown Shawnee as you walk around and see the model! 3. The Gordon Cooper, Astronaut display Shawnee's own United States Air Force pilot and astronaut piloted the longest and last Mercury spaceflight, Mercury-Atlas 9. During that 34-hour mission he became the first American to spend an entire day in space, the first to sleep in space, and the last American launched on an entirely solo orbital mission. Learn more about "Gordo" - Shawnee's son - at the Museum. (Learn more about other famous people from Shawnee here .) 4. A one room schoolhouse Walk in the room. Sit at the desk. And imagine school on the plains. Be sure to ring the bell! 5. A replica 1930's bank There's no teller to take your deposit (although the museum staff would welcome the donation,) but walk in a replica bank long before direct deposit and ATMs. 6. Buddy the Bear Buddy is the large stuffed bear on display and the most fun of Buddy is what color he is the day you visit. He's been white to represent polar bears. The day we visited he was as black as a black bear can get. 7. A Model T car. A 1917 model. Looks as new as the day it was driven off the lot! (Were they called 'car lots' in 1917?) 8. The model trains. There are three model trains. Watch as they travel through town, through the countryside, then back to town. Is anything more relaxing than model trains? 9. The tractor models. Shawnee has a rich agriculture history. That history and the fun side of tractors is on display with an impressive collection of John Deere tractor models and toys. 10. The slideshow of historic pictures. In the Museum's theater is a continuous running slideshow of historic pictures. A heads up - it's a long slideshow and you probably won't sit through all of it, but it is a great place to grab a seat and rest between exhibits. Bonus tip: the bricks you drive on when you arrive to the Museum are the original brick pavers of the 1905 Main Street! Get a preview of the Museum and our must-sees by watching this: More fun videos on our YouTube channel.

Everybody who comes to Shawnee has a reason for visiting, whether for family, business, or leisure. Those visitors who take a moment to stop and look around, however, will find themselves in contact with the living history that breathes life into our city—and reminds us of the connections we all share. Here are just a few of the stops in town where you can make such a connection. The Shawnee Veterans Memorial at Woodland Park (just south of Highland on Broadway St.) is a place of solitude, reflection, and respect for Oklahomans who may have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The memorial is patterned after a five-point star, each point representing a branch of the United States military. The final addition to the park was a set of ten black granite panels, inscribed with the names of every known Oklahoman killed in action since the Spanish-American war. The memorial also features other military artifacts, such as a HU1 helicopter and an artillery gun. The Pottawatomie County Museum , meanwhile, holds on to the memories of the people who have lived in Shawnee and its surrounding region for more than a century. The museum's exhibits -- originally housed in the Santa Fe Depo, which was built in 1904 and served as a train station until the 70s -- are located in the adjacent Milburn Center, which opened in 2021. Today, the Pottawatomie Historical Society's complex spans the medieval-looking structure of Shawnee's beloved depot, Beard Cabin, and the Milburn Center. Exhibits include a stuffed Alaskan bear, a player piano, antique phones, railroad memorabilia, several model train sets and a scale model of downtown Shawnee. The Historical Society at the museum is also passionate about the county’s past and is the chief expertise on local stories of yesteryear. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Center south of Main Street exists to educate not only tribal members and the local Native American community, but all residents and visitors about the historical and contemporary aspects of the Tribe. Recently renovated galleries of exhibits feature tribal history ranging from pre-contact history to present day. The Cultural Heritage Center is also home to an Archive and Research Division, which continues to protect and foster further research into the spiritual, historical, and cultural aspects of the Tribe. Of course, you won’t learn everything there is to know about Shawnee in a day, but these fantastic stops will be a good start to your journey of getting immersed. When you’re done checking them out, you can swing by our Welcome Center at 2820 N Kickapoo Avenue for materials and tailored suggestions!

Recently, staff at Visit Shawnee interviewed Oklahoma's oldest lady - a mummy from ancient Egypt! Her name is Tutu , and she can be found at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art on the OBU Green campus of (formerly St. Gregory’s University). Here's what she had to say about ancient Egyptian life, the mummification process, and scaring college students: 1. How old are you? Records weren’t really kept well back in my day but I am about 2,400 years old. 2. I must say that you look great for being more than 2,000 years old. What can you tell us about your life before you became a mummy? I was wealthy and had a great life. I had at least one child and lived to be in my 40’s which was a long full life in my day. 3. Can you tell us a little about the mummification process and why it was important to ancient Egyptians? Back in my time, we believed that you would need your body in the afterlife. Therefore it was important that it be preserved. Mummification was a process that took well over 100 days to complete. My brain was removed and then discarded as we didn’t think it was an important organ. My internal organs were removed, dried, wrapped in linen and then placed back inside my body. My body was dried with salt and then wrapped in hundreds of yards of linen bandages. In my time, people would save linen their entire life so that it could be used to mummify them after they died. 4. Besides the mummy (obviously), what could you expect to find in an ancient Egyptian tomb? I would have had everything I needed in the afterlife in my tomb. Some things would be real, like food and jewelry. Other things like servants would be representational. The amount of wealth you had in life determined how much you would have with you in your tomb. 5. I heard that you used to terrify freshmen at St. Gregory's University. Is this true? Many years ago, the museum was located in the main building at St. Gregory’s University. My sister mummy and I were sometimes used as pranks to scare the students. It was great fun. I’m too old for that now. 6. I also heard that you had an MRI scan at one of the hospitals. What was that like? I think going to St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital for my CT scan was one of the coolest things ever! I had been there in the early 1990’s for x-rays and a scan but the technology is so much more advanced. A company from Fort Worth, Nerwin & Martin, sent three art moving experts to help get me there. It’s hard for me to believe that I’m a work of art. There was also a forensic anthropologist from the University of Tulsa and Egyptologist Omar Zuhdi there to help. I was taken there in a climate controlled container and even had an escort from the Shawnee police department. It really made me and my sister mummy feel important. There were news stories about the event all around the country ! The radiology staff at the St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital were the best. I think we all had fun as they watched me go through the CT scanner. Chuck Skillings, who runs the hospital, made all of this possible. St. Anthony Radiologist Dr. Ryan Skinner did a full report of the results and scientists at the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium are still studying the results of the scan. It turns out that there are a lot of mummies from my time and place in Egypt in museums all over the world. I’m one of the first to have this level of imaging. For many years I will be the base line of information as the other mummies are studied! That means if a mummy similar to me in Europe or Egypt or anywhere in the world has a CT scan, scientists will compare the results with me. Isn’t Shawnee a wonderful place? To learn more about Tutu and keep up with her life at the museum, visit her in person at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art on the OBU Green campus (formerly St. Gregory's) or check out the museum’s website at mgmoa.org !

Visitors to the Shawnee area during early July might be mystified to see signs for businesses everywhere proudly displaying the message “Welcome IFYR” on their signs and marquees. What is IFYR? Why, it’s only the biggest annual event that our city has the pleasure of hosting! The International Finals Youth Rodeo brings in some of the world’s best young rodeo talent, coming from as far away as Australia. With the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center as their battlegrounds, the event runs for over a week as young riders and ropers compete for the best times and achievements! As an event sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association , many of the greatest names in the rodeo world have had their roots in the IFYR, having made their pilgrimage to the Redbud City of Oklahoma . Including these buckaroos, their families and rodeo enthusiasts from all over, the event brings in thousands of visitors annually! With such a great pedigree, it’s no surprise that the rodeo has grown to such a size. In fact, the rodeo has touched the lives of approximately 1.5 million people, from competitors and their families to spectators and volunteers. Established in 1993 with 309 contestants from 13 states, the IFYR has grown to average over a thousand contestants annually from all around the world. The event has come to be known as “ the world’s richest youth rodeo ,” as contestants compete for more than $250,000 in prize money, plus scholarships, nightly jackpots and championship saddles and buckles. Additionally, competitors who earn either the All-Around Cowboy or Cowgirl titles gain the use of special championship trailers! What kind of rodeo competition can visitors expect? Events for the youth rodeo contestants include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. City slickers might not recognize or fully understand all these terms, but rodeo enthusiasts know exactly what we’re talking about. All these events take a great deal of athleticism, tenacity, and skill; if you want to learn more, attending the IFYR would be the perfect opportunity to brush up on your rodeo lingo! The action at the IFYR is non-stop, with events held in three arenas running simultaneously, providing an abundance of thrill for competitors and those excitedly cheering from the grandstand. Each year, the schedule can be found at www.ifyr.com. Not only can visitors to the IFYR expect to see some high-stakes action in the arena, but they can also visit the Tin Star Market inside the adjacent Conference Center to do some shopping; imagine a thoughtfully curated flea market with a distinctly Western flair. Visitors can shop for the coolest duds and unique jewelry, high-end Western apparel, artwork and handmade items, home décor and plenty else. Open daily, the trade show is fully air-conditioned, making it a great way to get out of the heat! Whether you’re from out of town or a Shawnee resident, a die-hard cowboy or simply curious, there’s bound to be something at the IFYR to entertain hearts and souls from all over! For more information, you can head on over to the rodeo’s website or find them on Facebook .

Its place in Shawnee's skyline is absolute; if you're anywhere near Shawnee’s downtown district, you'll be able to easily pick out the Aldridge Building, a structure that carries a significant amount of history. Known as Shawnee's first "skyscraper," the building is ten stories tall, and is currently used as housing for seniors in Shawnee's community. In some ways, the Aldridge has lived a life like many of its current residents. It has had its share of peaks and valleys, has had its day in the limelight as a luxurious destination hotel that hosted civic events, suffered in the Great Depression, and has changed hands multiple times in a period where its destiny was uncertain. If these walls could talk, they would tell of Shawnee's own history, and the many ups and downs the city itself has faced. Even now, it stands as a symbol for the city's past prosperity, its current strength, and its hope for a prosperous future. In the early 1900s, Shawnee was a happening railroad town, one of two in the state, and even pulled enough popularity to be considered for the state capitol. As we know, things didn’t turn out that way. Nevertheless, the railroads continued to stop in Shawnee, and the community enjoyed a comfortable prosperity in the time before the Great Depression. It was just before then that the Hilton Phillips Hotel was built, the result of a $750,000 investment from oil baron named Phillips. The hotel opened its doors a mere nine months before the Great Depression. This name would fade away as the economy took a dip and Phillips was forced to sell it off to the Aldridge Hotel Co. in 1930. Back at the height of its glory, the Aldridge Hotel was a modern marvel. Host to 200 rooms (each with window views of the city!) and full of amenities, the hotel included a proprietary water system, bakery, laundry and coffee shop, as well as several dining and banquet rooms. The hotel's venues were beloved, and quickly became Shawnee's center for civic functions and social gatherings. Unfortunately, the Aldridge Hotel would begin to show its age with time. The U.S. Department of Labor discovered the presence of asbestos in the boiler room, and the building was closed in 1994. While it was placed on the register of historic buildings in 2000, the Aldridge was vacant at the time, save for a handful of pigeons staying on the roof. But the building's story doesn't stop there. Seven million dollars’ worth of remodels were done to update the structure, and in 2005, the Aldridge Hotel reopened as the Aldridge Apartments. Owned and operated by Express Management Inc., the complex is for seniors 62 and older, and has one- and two-bedroom apartments. The ways in which the Aldridge has been renewed and repurposed are a microcosm of Shawnee’s greater downtown district and the extensive efforts taken to revitalize it. Beautiful new streets and walkways, park signage, wayfinding and many renovated buildings will stand out to both visitors and long-time residents alike. Yet, even amidst these improvements, the history of the district is still plain to see. The Aldridge is but one prominent example. The lobby and barbershop are open to public visits, and the Aldridge's historical ballroom is often still available for public booking (though it is currently going through renovations). For more information, call The Aldridge at 275-9500. Want to enjoy more of Shawnee's excellently preserved historic downtown? Check out all the things do in this guide to downtown !

Whether you need to “wine down” or schedule some “shopping therapy,” a sweet escape with the girls is the perfect excuse to unplug and enjoy some time together! Keep scrolling to read about all the fun and fabulous goodness you and your best gals can look forward to in Shawnee, Oklahoma, when you visit for a day or a weekend. Shawnee shopping boasts unique boutiques and the big brands you know. Stroll Downtown Shawnee for arts, fashion, home décor, and gifts. A few can’t miss include Cuckoo Bird & Dashing T for fashion you can't find anywhere else; Savvy Bites has kitchen equipment and gadgets; Okie Dokie Mercantile features Made In Oklahoma and Native American made items. The Shawnee Mall features the national brands you love. If you plan a trip on the right weekend, you can enjoy one of the markets or craft fairs. Junk Utopia and Sassy Dames both host markets regularly at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center . If your crew loves to thrift, you have to check out the nearly dozen places to find antique treasures and vintage clothing and furniture across the city. Check out the full list here. If you and the girls need pampering, book your relaxing time at the Lifestyle Day Spa for a day of pampering and relaxation. More active activities could include art classes at one of Shawnee’s many galleries , exploring the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center , or the outdoors. Parks and trails are a plenty in Shawnee. Shawnee's Twin Lakes lets you get out on the water, and you can even rent a kayak from Kayak Cove on the weekends! Breaks from the fun include dining on the local flavor. The Lunch Box serves gourmet sandwiches, soups, and salads. Owl Shoppe also has gourmet sandwiches, soups, and salads. The Owl’s seafood lunch specials are unlike any other. Italian? Frateli’s (currently remodeling). More upscale dining can be found at Theopolis Social Club . Their executive chef provides a fresh rotating menu of thoughtfully-constructed meals and appetizers featuring local ingredients. Theopolis is also one of the night-life spots. Live music is performed at the Club. Additional live music spots include the Brickhouse Saloon and the Guitar Vault . Vibes (located inside Brickhouse) has DJs mixing the perfect dance mix! You and your besties won’t even miss the boys during your chick trip in Shawnee. Book your rooms at one of our hotels and start planning your weekend!

Grab the tent, sleeping bag, and fishing poles for lakeside camping and fishing at Shawnee Twin Lakes ! Swimming, boating, kayaking, and skiing are all on the table. In season, you can hunt the Reservoir for deer and duck. Wanna just shoot? Clay Bird Sports is just off the lake and offers 4 trap fields with Canterbury voice releases throwing White Flyer clays. Still outdoors but less adventurous is a round of golf at Firelake Golf Course . Well, hunting for your ball with your slice may still make it adventurous. The outdoor adventures continue at The Ravine Outdoor Adventure Park . Its Oklahoma's new home for hiking, mountain biking, and off-roading on ATVs. Watch racing at the Red Dirt Raceway in nearby Meeker. Dirt Track Racing every Friday Night at 7:30 p.m. The cars at OK Classics Car and Memorabilia aren’t racing but they’re beauties! They deal in Classics and Muscle Cars and vintage memorabilia with regular auctions through the year. Other events to watch for is the cowboy action at the Expo. Roping. Rodeo. Barrel Racing. Bull Riding. Nearly every weekend has some sort of action. Plan your weekend around the shows by watching our Calendar of Events . Before you go though, a stop at Tener's Western Outfitters is a must. They've been outfitting cowboys since 1930. Other place to stop is Shepherd’s Men’s Wear . They have been providing the best men’s wear for more than 100 years! All this fun making you boys hungry? Many options! Steaks at Paul’s Place , Santa Fe Cattle Co or Branding Iron . Oklahoma original BBQ at Van’s Pig Stand . And it’s not just dinner. Fuel your days with big breakfasts a Jimmy's Egg or local favorite Sunnyside Up . Pack your air guitar! There’s regular live music at the Brickhouse Saloon or the Guitar Vault . Bigger concerts are held at the Ritz or area casinos. Five – yep, FIVE casinos around Shawnee. What’s your game of choice? Try your luck at each of the gaming centers. You and the boys won’t even miss the girls during your guys weekend in Shawnee. Start planning your weekend. Oh, and thank her for letting you go with some romance in Shawnee .

OBU has been awarded a level I accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity and professionalism. OBU is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants. Additionally, OBU is the only body to be accredited within the state of Oklahoma. The OBU arboretum began collecting trees in 2002, planting 50 different species in an area between the university’s first campus building that opened in 1915, Shawnee Hall, and the main administrative building, Thurmond Hall. The arboretum has dedicated irrigation to all trees, and all are mulched and tagged. The university seeks to help students develop an appreciation for trees and shrubs, participate in planting and caring for them, and then take that knowledge with them upon graduating. The arboretum has since expanded to include the entire 226 acre campus with 134 different species of trees and a database of more than 300 trees and shrubs. OBU’s collection includes many unique trees, such as a Weeping Bald Cypress, Giant Leafed Redbud, Contorted Filbert, William Penn Barberries, Netleaf Oak, Turbinella Oak, Crow Pillow Tree, Tree Lilac, Persian Parrot Tree, Tamarix, Seaside Alder, Chitalpa, Dawn Redwood and an American Elm that is a seedling of the Survivor Tree from the Oklahoma City bombing. ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta. ArbNet facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experience, and other resources to help arboreta meet their institutional goals and works to raise professional standards through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program, sponsored and coordinated by The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, in cooperation with American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Standards include planning, governance, public access, programming and tree science, planting and conservation. Haines is pleased with this accreditation and is thankful for the hard work of many members of his team in caring for the university’s arboretum. “ArbNet accreditation is an important step in reaching our goal of being recognized as one of the top arboretums in the state,” he said. “Accreditation means we have met a rigorous set of professional standards that arboreta world-wide have to achieve. As part of the ArbNet world-wide community of arboreta, we can share knowledge, experience, and other resources to help us improve and grow.” The committee is continuing to work toward meeting standards for Level II accreditation, as well as working toward recognition as a Tree Campus USA. They hope to achieve both by next year. This article was originally published in OBU News, here . The OBU Arboretum is now a Arboretum II Designation.

80 years ago, Shawnee, Oklahoma, was named the Redbud City of Oklahoma. This designation was adopted by the Shawnee City Council on April 9, 1940, and was confirmed with a resolution by the Oklahoma Legislature that was signed by Oklahoma Gov. Leon Phillips on Feb. 19, 1941. (Shawnee itself is much older having been incorporated in 1894.) The Shawnee News Star tells who was responsible for this designation: The Shawnee Council of Garden Clubs was responsible for this recognition. Beginning in the late 1930s club members ordered thousands of bare-root Eastern Redbud trees and sold them to the public for twenty-five cents each. They were planted at homes, churches, schools, and public parks. The park receiving the most redbud trees was named Red Bud Park . It is in the 900 block of Broadway and extends to Beard Street. The Eastern Redbud tree is the Oklahoma State Tree. It tends to grow wild in woods as an understory tree. Many new trees develop from the seeds dropped during the summer. In the book, Putting Down Roots, Cercis Canadensis, describes the trees: Oklahoma’s state tree, the redbud is prized for its striking physical characteristics and adaptable nature. The shiny, heart-shaped leaves are attractive on the low branching stems and emerge after the spectacular blooms of spring have faded. Redbuds make wonderful trees for urban areas, due to their moderate size, broad-spreading canopies, and low maintenance requirements. However, this tree needs consistent care during the establishment period of at least the first three years. To help school children know and remember their state tree, in 1999 through 2001 the former Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee distributed small redbud trees to 3rd and 4th grade students along with a booklet “How to Plant My Baby Redbud Tree.” The book was illustrated by Brian Borth, a Shawnee High School student. Shawnee continues to help people know and remember the tree through the Redbud Festival held annually. Where do you see Redbuds? A drive around town, especially through older neighborhoods will provide a beautiful sight. Be sure to include Rose Garden Park in the 2000 block of North Broadway. It features Oklahoma Redbuds at the corner and Eastern Redbuds to the west along Franklin Street. Shawnee Milling has a row of Oklahoma Redbuds along 7th street between Bell and Beard Streets. For a spectacular sight, drive by St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 10th and North Beard. The church is bordered on two sides with beautiful redbuds. As you visit Shawnee and take pictures of the redbuds, be sure to tag us or use #ShawneeOK so we can see and share your pictures.

Shawnee is stock full of ghostly tales and haunted buildings. In honor of the Halloween season, here are some haunted places in the area to check out… if you dare . The Ritz Theater Originally a dry goods store and later a boarding house, the Ritz was built in 1897. The Ritz became a theatre in 1926 and is possibly haunted by Leo Montgomery, the projectionist who worked there for many decades. Leo died of a heart attack during a movie and voices and flickering lights have been said to be caused by him. Another ghost, named Amelia, also haunts the Ritz. She is believed to have died when the Ritz was still a boarding house. I recently had the opportunity to take tag along on a paranormal investigation of the Ritz when Investigating Oklahoma’s Paranormal and Tulsa News Channel 8 came to town. Not only did I get to see the tools they use for investigations but also got to take part in one in the auditorium of the Ritz. I can’t say that we came away with concrete evidence that Leo and Amelia walk the halls but there were definitely some spooky sounds and shadows. Downtown Shawnee Downtown Shawnee seems to be a particularly active spot for spooky activity. In addition to the Ritz Theatre, there have been experiences at other downtown businesses including The Fifth Element, a building near the Santa Fe Depot, and the KIRC Radio Station. There have been numerous spooky sightings in the KIRC building over the years. The basement is especially active and there have been reports of seeing a man and woman in the area. People have also reported being scratched while touring the building. Experience it for yourself during the ghost tours that are offered every year during Boo on Bell for $10 per person. Sacred Heart Mission & Cemetery, Konawa The Sacred Heart Mission was originally built in 1876 but the site burned down in 1901. The mission was rebuilt but ruined structures are still visible today. There have been several spooky encounters reported on the site, including seeing ghostly priests and monks walking the premises, animals vanishing into thin air, and strange floating lights. Visitors have also reported hearing cries, screams, and growls in the nearby cemetery. Note : If you do decide to explore any haunted building or site, make sure that you have proper permission! Never visit a site after hours or if it is explicitly forbidden. Safety first! Trespassing is frowned upon by both ghosts and landowners.