How to Explore the Tulsa Race Massacre Memorial Sites

The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 stands as one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in American history. Over the course of 18 hours, a thriving Black community known as Greenwood—often called “Black Wall Street”—was systematically burned to the ground by a white mob, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, the displacement of thousands, and the erasure of generational wealth. For decades, this tragedy was suppressed from public memory, omitted from textbooks, and silenced in official narratives. Today, as the nation confronts its legacy of racial injustice, visiting the memorial sites of the Tulsa Race Massacre is not merely a tourist activity—it is an act of remembrance, education, and reconciliation.

Exploring the Tulsa Race Massacre memorial sites offers a profound opportunity to honor the victims, understand the systemic forces that enabled such violence, and reflect on the enduring impact of racial terror on American society. These sites are more than landmarks; they are sacred ground where history, grief, and resilience converge. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap for individuals seeking to engage meaningfully with these memorials—whether you are a student, a historian, a traveler, or an ally committed to racial justice.

This tutorial will walk you through practical steps to plan your visit, introduce best practices for respectful engagement, recommend essential tools and resources, share real-life examples of meaningful experiences, and answer frequently asked questions. By the end of this guide, you will be equipped to explore these sites with historical awareness, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to truth.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Educate Yourself Before You Go

Before setting foot on any memorial site, it is essential to ground yourself in the historical context of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Many visitors arrive with fragmented knowledge or misconceptions shaped by decades of omission. Begin your preparation by studying credible, survivor-centered sources.

Read primary accounts such as those collected in the 2001 Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 Report. Watch documentaries like “Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten” (2021) or “Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street” (2021). Listen to oral histories from descendants of survivors, available through the Tulsa Historical Society & Museum and the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation.

Understand key facts: The massacre began on May 31, 1921, after a young Black man, Dick Rowland, was falsely accused of assaulting a white woman. A white mob gathered at the courthouse demanding his lynching. Black residents, many of them World War I veterans, arrived to protect him. Violence erupted. By June 1, over 35 city blocks of Greenwood had been burned, looted, or bombed from the air. Estimates of the death toll range from 100 to 300, though many bodies were buried in unmarked graves. Over 10,000 Black residents were left homeless.

This foundational knowledge transforms your visit from passive observation to active remembrance.

Step 2: Identify the Key Memorial Sites

The Tulsa Race Massacre left behind several physical locations that now serve as memorial sites. Each holds unique significance. Prioritize these five core locations:

• Greenwood Cultural Center – The heart of modern-day Greenwood, this center serves as both a museum and a community hub. It houses rotating exhibits, educational programs, and artifacts recovered from the massacre.
• John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park – A 19-acre public park dedicated to healing and remembrance. Its centerpiece is the “Tulsa 1921” sculpture, depicting the moment Black residents armed themselves to defend their community.
• Rosewood Park – Once the site of the historic Greenwood District’s commercial corridor. Today, it contains interpretive signage and the “Reconciliation Plaza” with bronze plaques listing known victims.
• Oaklawn Cemetery – The traditional burial ground for Black Tulsans. While most massacre victims were buried in mass graves, Oaklawn holds the graves of some known survivors and community leaders.
• The site of the former Tulsa Tribune building – The newspaper that published the inciting article that triggered the violence. Though the original building is gone, a historical marker stands at the location.

Use a digital map to plot these sites. Google Maps and the official Tulsa Race Massacre Memorial Trail app (developed by the City of Tulsa) offer walking and driving routes between them.

Step 3: Plan Your Visit Logistics

Most memorial sites are open daily, but hours vary. The Greenwood Cultural Center is open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park is open dawn to dusk. Always verify hours before arrival.

Consider the season. Tulsa summers are extremely hot (often exceeding 95°F), and winter can be cold and windy. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions. Bring water, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes—many sites require outdoor exploration.

Public transportation in Tulsa is limited. Renting a car is the most practical option. If you don’t drive, use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, which operate reliably in the city. Parking is generally free at all memorial sites.

Plan to spend at least one full day, but ideally two. Rushing through these sites undermines their emotional and historical weight. Allocate at least 90 minutes at the Greenwood Cultural Center, 60 minutes at Reconciliation Park, and 30–45 minutes at each other location.

Step 4: Engage with Guided Tours and Interpretive Programs

While self-guided exploration is valuable, guided tours deepen understanding. The Greenwood Cultural Center offers free daily docent-led tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. These tours include artifacts, photographs, and firsthand testimonies not displayed in static exhibits.

The Tulsa Historical Society & Museum provides monthly “Massacre Memory Walks,” which trace the path of destruction through Greenwood. These walks are led by historians and descendants of survivors. Registration is required and often fills weeks in advance.

For a more immersive experience, book a private tour with the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. These tours include time for reflection, group discussion, and access to archival materials not available to the general public.

Even if you don’t join a formal tour, take time to read all interpretive signage. Each plaque, mural, and sculpture is intentionally designed to convey specific historical truths. Do not skip the captions.

Step 5: Practice Mindful Observation

These sites are not amusement parks or photo backdrops. They are places of mourning. Approach them with reverence.

At Reconciliation Park, sit quietly on the benches facing the sculpture. Listen. The park is intentionally designed to be quiet—no loud music, no vendors. Allow the silence to speak.

At Rosewood Park, trace the names on the bronze plaques. Many victims were never identified. The plaques include the names of those known, and the phrase “and many others” beneath them. Reflect on the lives erased.

At Oaklawn Cemetery, avoid stepping on graves. Take no photos of individual graves unless you have explicit permission from family members. This is sacred space.

Do not treat these sites as Instagram backdrops. If you take photographs, do so respectfully—without posing, smiling, or using filters that trivialize the gravity of the space.

Step 6: Record Your Reflections

After your visit, document your experience. This is not for social media—it is for your own growth and for future accountability.

Keep a journal. Write down what surprised you, what moved you, what you didn’t know. Did you feel anger? Shame? Grief? Guilt? All emotions are valid. Naming them is part of the healing process.

Consider writing a letter to a descendant of a survivor. You can send it to the Greenwood Cultural Center, and they may forward it if appropriate. Many families have expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment of their ancestors’ suffering.

Share your reflections with others—but only after you’ve processed them yourself. Do not use your visit as performative allyship. Speak from a place of humility and learning.

Step 7: Support Ongoing Efforts

Memorialization is not complete. The search for mass graves continues. Survivors’ descendants are still fighting for reparations. Your visit should be the beginning, not the end, of your engagement.

Donate to organizations like the Tulsa Race Massacre Descendants Coalition or the Greenwood Cultural Center’s Education Fund. Volunteer with the Tulsa Land Trust, which is preserving land once owned by Black families before the massacre.

Advocate for curriculum reform in your local schools. Push for the inclusion of the Tulsa Race Massacre in state history standards. Contact your school board or state representative. The fight for historical truth is ongoing.

Best Practices

Respect the Silence

The Tulsa Race Massacre was an act of terror designed to erase Black life. To honor that memory, visitors must practice silence—not as emptiness, but as reverence. Loud conversations, laughter, or phone calls disrupt the solemnity of these spaces. If you feel compelled to speak, do so in hushed tones, and only when necessary.

Center Black Voices

When learning about the massacre, prioritize sources authored by Black historians, survivors, and descendants. Avoid narratives that center white perspectives or frame the event as “race riots” (a term historically used to blame victims). The correct term is “massacre.” Use it consistently.

Do Not Perform Allyship

Wearing a “Black Lives Matter” shirt and taking selfies at Reconciliation Park does not make you an ally. True allyship is quiet, consistent, and action-oriented. It means showing up year after year, donating, educating others, and challenging misinformation—even when no one is watching.

Recognize the Living Legacy

Greenwood is not a ghost town. It is a living, evolving community. Support Black-owned businesses in the area: dine at the famous Pearl’s Restaurant, shop at the Black Wall Street Gallery, or attend a performance at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Economic empowerment is part of reconciliation.

Challenge Misinformation

Many online sources still refer to the event as a “riot.” When you encounter this, correct it. Use accurate language: “The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.” Share verified resources. Misinformation perpetuates historical erasure.

Teach Children Appropriately

If you bring children, prepare them in advance. Use age-appropriate language. For younger children, focus on themes of community, resilience, and justice. For teens, engage them in discussions about systemic racism and reparations. Avoid graphic images unless you are certain they are emotionally ready.

Follow Local Guidelines

Each site has rules for behavior. Some prohibit drones, pets, or alcohol. Others require reservations for group visits. Obey these rules. They exist to protect the integrity of the space and the dignity of those remembered.

Engage in Long-Term Learning

One visit is not enough. Read books like “The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921” by Tim Madigan or “Black Wall Street 100” by Hannibal B. Johnson. Subscribe to newsletters from the Oklahoma Historical Society. Join virtual lectures hosted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Be Prepared for Emotional Impact

Many visitors leave in tears. Others feel numb. Both are normal. Do not rush your emotions. If you feel overwhelmed, sit down. Breathe. Reach out to a trusted friend. Consider speaking with a counselor if the experience triggers deep distress.

Never Erase the Truth

Some people claim the massacre “never happened” or “was exaggerated.” Do not engage in debates with deniers. Instead, share verified resources. Truth is not a matter of opinion. It is documented in court records, newspaper archives, and eyewitness accounts.

Tools and Resources

Essential Digital Tools

Technology can enhance your visit and deepen your understanding. Use these tools before, during, and after your trip:

• Tulsa Race Massacre Memorial Trail App – Developed by the City of Tulsa, this free app offers GPS-guided walking tours, audio narrations by descendants, and historical maps. Available on iOS and Android.
• Google Earth Pro – Use the historical imagery feature to compare aerial photos of Greenwood from 1920 and 1922. The destruction is visually staggering.
• Library of Congress Digital Collections – Search “Tulsa Race Massacre” for original photographs, newspaper clippings, and government documents.
• Digital Archive of the Oklahoma Historical Society – Houses digitized versions of the 2001 Commission Report, survivor affidavits, and police records.
• 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Oral History Project – Hosted by the University of Tulsa, this archive includes over 100 hours of interviews with descendants.

Recommended Reading

Build your knowledge with these authoritative texts:

• “The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921” by Tim Madigan – A gripping narrative based on primary sources.
• “Black Wall Street 100: An American City Grapples with its Historical Racial Trauma” by Hannibal B. Johnson – Explores the legacy and ongoing efforts for justice.
• “Tulsa 1921: Reporting a Massacre” by Randy Krehbiel – Investigative journalism that uncovers the role of the media in inciting violence.
• “They Came for the Children: The Tulsa Race Massacre and the Destruction of Black Wealth” by Alicia W. Johnson – Focuses on economic consequences and intergenerational poverty.
• “The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: A Photographic History” – A visual archive of before, during, and after images.

Documentaries and Films

Visual storytelling brings history to life:

• Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten (2021) – PBS documentary featuring interviews with survivors and historians.
• Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street (2021) – Netflix production with dramatic reenactments and archival footage.
• 1921: The Tulsa Race Massacre (2020) – A short film by the Smithsonian Channel.
• Black Wall Street: The Rise and Fall of an American Dream – A 45-minute educational film used in high school curricula nationwide.

Organizations to Support

Direct your advocacy and donations to these verified groups:

• Greenwood Cultural Center – Maintains exhibits and educational outreach.
• John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation – Leads community dialogues and memorial projects.
• Tulsa Race Massacre Descendants Coalition – Advocates for reparations and recognition.
• Oklahoma Historical Society – Preserves official records and archives.
• Black Wall Street Legacy Foundation – Supports economic revitalization in Greenwood.

Curriculum and Educational Materials

For educators and students:

• Teaching Tolerance (Learning for Justice) – Offers lesson plans on the massacre for grades 6–12.
• Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture – Provides digital resources, including primary source sets and discussion guides.
• Stanford University’s “Teaching the Tulsa Race Massacre” Toolkit – Includes annotated readings, timelines, and assessment tools.

Real Examples

Example 1: A Teacher’s Journey

Ms. Linda Carter, a high school history teacher from Nebraska, visited Tulsa after her students asked why the massacre wasn’t in their textbook. She spent two days touring the sites, attending a descendant-led workshop, and meeting with the Greenwood Cultural Center’s education director. Back home, she redesigned her curriculum to include survivor testimonies and primary documents. Her students wrote letters to Oklahoma state legislators, urging curriculum reform. Within a year, Oklahoma became one of the first states to mandate the teaching of the Tulsa Race Massacre in public schools.

Example 2: A Descendant’s Return

Marvin Jones, a 72-year-old descendant of a survivor, had never visited the memorial sites. His grandmother had spoken little of the massacre, and the family had moved away from Tulsa soon after. In 2022, he traveled from Georgia to Tulsa with his grandchildren. At Reconciliation Park, he placed a single red rose at the base of the sculpture. “I didn’t know I needed to come,” he said. “But now I know my grandmother’s silence wasn’t weakness—it was survival.” He now volunteers at the Greenwood Cultural Center, sharing his family’s story.

Example 3: A Foreign Visitor’s Awakening

Alexandra Chen, a university student from Singapore, visited Tulsa as part of a global human rights tour. She had studied apartheid and the Holocaust but had never learned about the Tulsa massacre. “I thought America was different,” she wrote in her journal. “But the patterns are the same: silence, denial, erasure.” She started a campus club focused on racial justice and organized a film screening of “Dreamland” with a panel discussion featuring a Tulsa-based activist. Her university later added the massacre to its African diaspora studies course.

Example 4: A Corporate Team’s Accountability

A tech company based in Austin, Texas, sent a group of 12 employees to Tulsa as part of a diversity, equity, and inclusion retreat. They spent the day visiting memorial sites, then met with descendants to hear personal stories. One employee, a white man in his 50s, later wrote: “I thought I understood racism. I didn’t. I thought I was a good person. I didn’t realize how complicit I’d been by doing nothing.” The company pledged $500,000 to the Descendants Coalition and created an internal education program on historical racial violence.

Example 5: A Young Artist’s Tribute

17-year-old Jamal Rivers, from Chicago, created a mural titled “We Were Here” after visiting the Greenwood Cultural Center. The mural depicts a Black family walking through Greenwood before the massacre, with a phoenix rising from the ashes behind them. He submitted it to a national youth art competition and won. The mural now hangs in the National Archives. “I didn’t know my ancestors were this strong,” he said. “Now I carry that with me every day.”

FAQs

Is it appropriate to take photos at the memorial sites?

Yes, but with deep respect. Photograph the architecture, signage, and landscapes—not people. Do not pose, smile, or use filters. Avoid taking selfies in front of victim plaques or the sculpture in Reconciliation Park. Your photos should serve as personal records of remembrance, not social media content.

Are there guided tours available in languages other than English?

Currently, most guided tours are offered in English. However, the Greenwood Cultural Center can arrange translation services for Spanish, French, and Japanese speakers with advance notice. Contact them at least two weeks ahead of your visit.

Can I bring children to these sites?

Yes, but prepare them. Use age-appropriate language. For young children, focus on stories of community and resilience. For teens, discuss systemic injustice and the importance of speaking up. Never force a child to stay if they become overwhelmed.

Why is it called a “massacre” and not a “riot”?

“Riot” implies mutual violence and chaos. The Tulsa event was a one-sided attack by a white mob on a peaceful Black community. Historians, survivors, and descendants have long rejected the term “riot” as a distortion. “Massacre” is the accurate, respectful term.

Are there still unmarked graves from the massacre?

Yes. Archaeological digs in Oaklawn Cemetery and other locations continue. In 2020, ground-penetrating radar detected anomalies consistent with mass graves. DNA testing is ongoing. The search for the missing is not over.

How can I support the descendants’ fight for reparations?

Donate to the Tulsa Race Massacre Descendants Coalition. Write to your elected officials urging federal legislation for reparations. Share their petitions and amplify their voices on social media. Educate others. Solidarity is action.

Is it safe to visit Tulsa as a Black traveler?

Tulsa has made significant strides in racial reconciliation, and the memorial sites are safe and welcoming. However, like any American city, racial tensions can surface. Use common sense: stay in well-lit areas, avoid confrontations, and trust your instincts. Many Black visitors report feeling a deep sense of healing and community in Greenwood.

What should I do if I encounter someone denying the massacre happened?

Do not argue. Share verified resources: the 2001 Commission Report, the Library of Congress archives, or the Tulsa Historical Society’s website. Silence the noise by amplifying truth.

Can I volunteer at the memorial sites?

Yes. The Greenwood Cultural Center, John Hope Franklin Center, and Tulsa Historical Society all welcome volunteers for archival work, event support, and educational programming. Visit their websites to apply.

Is there a memorial day for the Tulsa Race Massacre?

Yes. May 31–June 1 is officially recognized as the Tulsa Race Massacre Commemoration Week. Events include candlelight vigils, educational panels, and community meals. Plan your visit around these dates for a more immersive experience.

Conclusion

Exploring the Tulsa Race Massacre memorial sites is not a checklist. It is a pilgrimage. Each step—from the quiet benches of Reconciliation Park to the handwritten affidavits in the archives—is a thread in the larger tapestry of truth-telling. These sites do not exist to make us comfortable. They exist to unsettle us, to awaken us, to call us to accountability.

When you walk through Greenwood today, you walk on soil soaked with blood, sweat, and unspoken grief. But you also walk among resilience. The descendants of those who lost everything rebuilt businesses, raised families, and passed down stories. They did not wait for permission to remember. They refused to be erased.

Your visit matters. Not because you are a tourist, but because you are a witness. And witnesses carry memory. Memory is the first step toward justice. Justice is the only path to healing.

Leave with more than photos. Leave with purpose. Leave with a commitment to speak, to teach, to donate, to advocate. Let your journey through the memorial sites become the beginning of a lifelong dedication to truth.

The massacre was real. The pain is real. The legacy is real. And so is your power to change what comes next.