a photo essay by Ingrid Maldonado
About the Museum
The Philbrook Museum of Art is located in Tulsa.
The museum opened on October 25, 1939 and added a 70,000 square foot wing in 1990.
In 2004 the muesum had some major garden renovations which helped make it the most beautiful place in Oklahoma according to its nickname.
The Philbrook Collection has more than 16,000 objects that focus on American, Native American and European art.
The muesum serves over 160,000 visitors each year.
The Villa
In 1926 Edward Buehler Delk (1885–1956), a Kansas City architect, was hired to design an Italian Renaissance villa on 25 acres by oilman Waite Phillips.
Delk skillfully interpreted Renaissance styles in the most fashionable manner of the day and was hired in a burst of commissions with three major projects at once: Villa Philbrook, Villa Philmonte and the Philtower office building.
This home was completed in 1927.
In 1938 Waite Phillips surprised Tulsans with the announcement of his gift of the 72-room mansion and surrounding 23 acres of grounds as an art center for the city of Tulsa.
The vision first made possible by Waite and Genevieve Phillips is now one of America’s finest art museums.
The integrity of the original residence remains intact while later additions to the facility and gardens complete this classic Tulsa attraction.
Values
The Philbrook Museum of Art also has four core beliefs which are creativity, wellness, relevance and sustainability.
The museum host several events, activities and programs throughout the year that show these core values.
The events, activities and progreams allow people to learn creativity and encourage attendees to debate play and experiment.
Information from
Philbrook.org
