Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library in Guthrie, Oklahoma
Museum with a major rail exhibitOpen Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm
The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library in Guthrie tells how the Unassigned Lands, the Land Run of 1889 and the territorial years laid the foundation for the state of Oklahoma.
- Land Run of 1889 artifacts
- Collections span 1889 to 1913
- In Guthrie, Oklahoma's first capital
- Open Tuesday to Saturday
Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library at a glance
- Hours
- Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm
- Admission
- Not posted on the museum's home page; call ahead
- Plan for
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Best for
- Oklahoma history fans and school-age kids
- Best ages
- Ages 7 and up
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address406 East Oklahoma Avenue, Guthrie, OK 73044(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(405) 282-1889
- Websiteokterritorialmuseum.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Guthrie.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Guthrie's museum of the territory years
Guthrie was the first capital of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library tells the story of the people who settled it and built a state. Its collections follow the creation of the Unassigned Lands, the Land Run of 1889, homesteading, the territorial government and the move to statehood. Oklahoma Territory existed from 1890 to 1907, and the museum's artifacts, photographs and paintings cover 1889 to 1913.
The museum's motto is that this is not the story you think you know, and it presents the Indian and Oklahoma Territories, Guthrie and the Land Run through objects and documents from the people who lived it. Living history performances add another way into that past. The museum does not describe its railroad holdings online, so rail fans should call to ask what is currently on display.
Land Run artifacts and the Carnegie Library
Exhibits cover the 1889 Land Run and the settlement of Guthrie, territorial and early state government, and daily life on homesteads, told through artifacts, documents, photographs and paintings. The museum is paired with Guthrie's Carnegie Library. Specific railroad exhibits are not listed on the museum's website, so call (405) 282-1889 before a rail-focused trip.
Don’t miss
- Land Run of 1889 collectionArtifacts and documents from the land run that founded Guthrie.
- The Carnegie LibraryPart of the same site and named in the museum's full title.
- Living history performancesPerformers bring the territorial years to life on select occasions.
A history visit for older kids
School-age children who are learning Oklahoma history will get the most out of the Land Run and homesteading exhibits, and living history performances can make the story feel real. Younger train fans may want a second stop with rides or models, since railroad items here are not listed online.
Plan your visit: tips for Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library
- The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays.
- Call (405) 282-1889 to ask which railroad items are on display before a rail-focused trip.
- Ask about upcoming living history performances.
Keeping Guthrie's early history
The museum shares its news and programs on Facebook, and the Oklahoma Historical Society's website carries visitor information for it. Visiting, attending living history programs and following the museum online are good ways to support its work. Call (405) 282-1889 to ask about volunteering.
Train stops near Guthrie
The Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City is about 26 miles south and runs real train rides in season. The Railroad Museum of Oklahoma in Enid, about 44 miles away, has operating model railroads, and the Steam Engine Park grounds in Pawnee are about 47 miles east. Plan more stops with our Oklahoma train museum guide.
- Oklahoma Railway MuseumOklahoma City, OK · about 26 mi
- Heartland Flyer historic railroad exhibitsOklahoma City area, OK · about 27 mi
- Railroad Museum of OklahomaEnid, OK · about 44 mi
- Oklahoma Steam Threshers & Gas Engine Association railroad collectionPawnee, OK · about 47 mi
- Tulsa Route 66 Historical Village railroad collectionTulsa, OK · about 82 mi
- Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum railway exhibitsWichita, KS · about 125 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The settlers of 1889 had to choose what to carry into a brand new life, and that made me smile thinking about Rally packing in our book. His suitcase holds only the things that matter most to a corgi: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball. Asking kids what they would pack is a fun way into a history museum. Our coloring pages make a nice quiet activity afterward.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Oklahoma: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Oklahoma
- Halloween train rides in Oklahoma
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library official website(opens in a new tab)
- Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie: 20 visitor questions
Where is the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library is at 406 East Oklahoma Avenue, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044. Guthrie is north of Oklahoma City and was the state's first capital. Call (405) 282-1889 if you need directions or help finding the entrance.
What are the Oklahoma Territorial Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the museum's website lists hours of Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. It is closed Sundays and Mondays. Holiday hours can differ, so call (405) 282-1889 or check the museum's Facebook page before a long drive.
How much does the Oklahoma Territorial Museum cost?
The museum's home page does not list admission prices. Call (405) 282-1889 or check the Oklahoma Historical Society's visitor page for the museum to confirm current admission and any discounts for students, seniors or groups before you visit. Prices can change, so it is worth checking even if you have visited before.
Does the Oklahoma Territorial Museum have railroad exhibits?
The museum does not describe specific railroad exhibits on its website. Its collections focus on the Land Run of 1889, settlement, homesteading and territorial and state government. If you are planning a trip mainly to see railroad items, call (405) 282-1889 to ask what is on display before you go.
What can you see at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
The museum shows artifacts, photographs and paintings from 1889 to 1913, covering the Indian and Oklahoma Territories, the Unassigned Lands, the 1889 Land Run and the settlement of Guthrie, homesteading, territorial government and statehood. Living history performances are also part of its programs.
What is the Carnegie Library in Guthrie?
The Carnegie Library is part of the same site as the Oklahoma Territorial Museum, and the two share a name: the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library. Ask staff at (405) 282-1889 what is open in the library on the day you visit and how it connects to the museum's exhibits.
What is the Oklahoma Territorial Museum about?
It tells the story of the determined people who laid the foundation for the state of Oklahoma, from the opening of the Unassigned Lands and the 1889 Land Run through the territorial years and statehood. Its slogan says it is not the story you think you know.
Why is Guthrie important in Oklahoma history?
Guthrie was the first capital of Oklahoma and grew out of the Land Run of 1889. Oklahoma Territory existed from 1890 to 1907, and the Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie covers that era with artifacts and documents from the land run and the founding of the town.
Is the Oklahoma Territorial Museum good for kids?
It suits school-age kids best, especially those studying Oklahoma history. The Land Run and homestead exhibits connect to classroom lessons, and living history performances can hold their attention. There are no train rides or play areas listed, so pair it with a more hands-on stop for younger children.
Are there living history programs at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
Yes. TravelOK mentions living history performances among the museum's offerings. Schedules are not posted on the museum's home page, so watch its Facebook page or call (405) 282-1889 to find out when the next performance is planned. Performances are a good reason to time a family visit.
Can you ride a train near the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
The museum itself does not offer train rides. The closest rides listed are at the Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City, about 26 miles away, which runs vintage diesel trains on the first and third Saturdays in season and holiday trains in the fall and winter.
How long should I spend at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
The museum does not suggest a visit length. For most families, one to two hours is enough to see the Land Run and territorial exhibits. Allow extra time if a living history performance is scheduled or if you want to explore Guthrie's downtown afterward.
Can school groups visit the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
The museum's home page does not describe a field trip program. Its subject matter fits Oklahoma history lessons, so teachers should call (405) 282-1889 to ask about group visits, guided tours and any programs for students before booking a bus.
Is the Oklahoma Territorial Museum wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility details are not posted on the museum's home page. Call (405) 282-1889 to ask about entrances, elevators, restrooms and stroller access, or check the Oklahoma Historical Society's visitor page for the museum before you go. Staff can help you plan the easiest route through the building.
Is there parking at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
Parking details are not posted on the museum's home page. The museum is at 406 East Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie, and visitors arrive by car. Call (405) 282-1889 if you are bringing a bus or need accessible parking information. Ask the same question if you are arriving with a large group.
Is the Oklahoma Territorial Museum open on Sunday?
No. As of October 2026, the museum lists its hours as Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, so it is closed Sunday and Monday. Plan a Saturday visit if you are coming for a weekend, and call (405) 282-1889 to confirm holiday hours.
How do I contact the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
Call (405) 282-1889, visit okterritorialmuseum.org, or message the museum on Facebook, where it shares news and programs. Its street address is 406 East Oklahoma Avenue, Guthrie, OK 73044, if you prefer to stop in during open hours. Phone is the quickest way to get an answer about hours or exhibits.
When did Oklahoma Territory exist?
Oklahoma Territory existed from 1890 to 1907, between the 1889 Land Run and statehood. The Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie covers that period, with artifacts, photographs and paintings dating from 1889 to 1913 and exhibits on territorial and state government.
How can I support the Oklahoma Territorial Museum?
Visiting, attending living history programs and following the museum's Facebook page all help. To ask about volunteering, donations or membership, call (405) 282-1889. The Oklahoma Historical Society's website also carries information about the museum. Sharing photos of your visit with friends helps spread the word about the museum too.
What train museums are near Guthrie, Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City is about 26 miles away, the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma in Enid about 44 miles, and the Oklahoma Steam Threshers and Gas Engine Association grounds in Pawnee about 47 miles. Tulsa's Route 66 Historical Village is about 82 miles east.
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