Woody Guthrie Center, Biographical museum in Tulsa, United States.
The Woody Guthrie Center is a biographical museum in Tulsa dedicated to the life and artistic work of the American folk singer. It displays handwritten song lyrics, personal journals, photographs, and other objects that provide insight into his creative life and social engagement.
The Woody Guthrie Archives were founded in 1994 and long kept in New York City, closed to the public. The George Kaiser Family Foundation bought them for $3 million and opened the center in a former Tulsa Paper Company building on April 27, 2013. The building housed that company from 1922 to 1980; the design is by KKT Architects.
The center reflects how Woody Guthrie used his music to speak about social issues and connect with ordinary people. His approach to songwriting as a tool for social commentary remains visible through the materials on display, showing visitors how folk music functioned as activism.
The museum has multiple gallery spaces to explore, and it is helpful to set aside several hours to view everything carefully. Visitors can take guided tours to learn more about the collections and the stories behind the materials on display.
The archive holds the original manuscript of "This Land Is Your Land", Guthrie's best-known song. It was founded in 1994 and long kept in New York City, closed to the public, before the George Kaiser Family Foundation bought it for 3 million dollars and moved it to Tulsa. The building housed the Tulsa Paper Company from 1922 to 1980.
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