Today we visited two museums which made for much more exciting photos to share. Our first stop was the Museum of Osteology, otherwise known as the Skeleton Museum. It is the largest privately held collection of osteological (bone) specimens in the world. There were 450 real animal skeletons on display, and they have thousands in their collection.
The largest is a 40-foot humpack whale and the smallest is the ruby-throated hummingbird.
The skeletons on display were donated by zoos, aquariums, nature preserves and animal rehabilitation centers. Once they are received, flesh eating beetles (Dermestid beetles) help to strip them down to the bones. Eeew!
There were a few furry creatures that helped to remind visitors of their natural state.
We finished there around 12:50pm and headed over to nearby Thunder Carwash to run the Mazda through the carwash. After, we got a sandwich at Crimson Melt. Then, Rob drove us towards the Capitol building along a small portion of Historic Route 66.
Next, we visited the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. This museum is a large, stunning facility with modern and beautiful displays. There were so many rooms that we got lost a few times, and we may not have seen everything. We learned there are many types of cowboy hats and saddles that are works of art.
One room was dedicated to firearms. Rob found these revolver carbines especially interesting.
There were paintings, sculptures and artifacts. This buffalo painting is so realistic it looks like its head is in 3D.
This painting had especially beautiful colors.
A wing is dedicated to recreating a Western Town. We later learned this area, amongst others, can be used for special events and even weddings.
This old player piano organ included other instruments that can be seen through the windows.
We finished at the museum around 4:30pm. An event was being set up for this evening's National Black Cowboy Rodeo Awards & Gala. Men and women were gathering in the large hallways dressed to the nines in formal and flashy western-themed clothing. A red carpet was being taped down to the floor of the main entrance of the museum. It looked like a fun event.
Back at the hotel, we rested before dinner. Michele found a pizza restaurant close by and ordered dinner.
We really enjoyed our educational day. These two attractions are at the top of Oklahoma City's must see list. Tomorrow we depart Oklahoma City and make our way across Texas to Santa Rosa, NM.
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