Collecting, Preserving and Sharing Oklahoma’s WWII Experiences …

Oklahoma WWII Memorials & Museums

45th Infantry Division Museum: Oklahoma City: The museum collects, preserves and displays military history artifacts related to Oklahoma with a focus on the U.S. 45th Infantry Division. Thunderbird Park surrounding the museum displays vehicles, aircraft and artillery.
Tulsa Air and Space Museum: Tulsa: Tulsa played a leading role in flight and mechanic training during World War II, including training England's Royal Air Force pilots. Learn more about Oklahoma's role in WWII aviation through this exhibit.
Oklahoma History Center: Oklahoma City: Museum features Smithsonian quality exhibits that bring to life the voice and visions of Oklahoma through cutting edge research and interpretive programs of the state's rich and diverse history, including the WWII era.
War Memorial Park Museum: Muskogee: Museum with items related to submarine warfare with the main attraction of the USS Batfish submarine. 52 submarines were lost during WWII, but they still live on in a thought-provoking memorial at the War Memorial Park. A series of bronze stands name each ship and its crew.
Oklahoma Heritage Center: Oklahoma City: The Oklahoma Heritage Center celebrates these individuals who have both lived and created the history of our state.
Oklahoma Military Academy Museum: Claremore: Museum devoted to the history of the Oklahoma Military Academy includes WWII exhibits and artifacts.
Cherokee Strip Museum: Alva: A World War II POW Camp was located just south of Alva in the 1940s. More than 5,000 prisoners were interned at a time when the population of Alva itself was only 3,500. Items retained from the camp are on display in the Cherokee Strip Museum, including a remarkable sculpture of an eagle that was hand carved by German Prisoners of War while at the camp.
Oklahoma Centennial WWII Memorial Projects: Statewide: Throughout 2007, the Oklahoma Centennial Commission is planning WWII memorial events and monuments across the state. View a complete list of activities and locations.
Oklahoma WWII POW Camp Locations: Statewide: Many German prisoners of war were housed in Oklahoma during World War II. More than 20,000 Axis captives were held in camps across the state.
Omniplex Science Museum: Oklahoma City: Large museum complex which includes aviation and space exhibits with several WWII vintage aircraft.
*Include your local WWII museum exhibit or memorial by e-mailing warstories@oeta.tv.*

Research Materials

The Research Division of the Oklahoma Historical Society is a repository of books, archival materials and family research records about Oklahoma and its people. The archives include oral histories, photographs, film and video, manuscripts and Oklahoma newspapers on microfilm.
Local Resources: Your community library and historical society are great places to start in researching Oklahoma's rich history - especially local WWII history. Find your library today.