How to Visit the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park

The John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park is more than a public green space—it is a living monument to truth, healing, and the enduring power of community. Located in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, this 1.5-acre urban park was conceived as a place of remembrance, education, and reconciliation in response to one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in American history: the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Designed to honor the lives lost, the businesses destroyed, and the resilience of the Black community that rebuilt from ashes, the park invites visitors to engage with history not as spectators, but as participants in a continuing journey toward justice.

Visiting the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park is not merely a sightseeing activity; it is an act of witness. It demands presence, reflection, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. For tourists, educators, students, historians, and local residents alike, understanding how to visit this space thoughtfully enhances the emotional and educational impact of the experience. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to ensure your visit is meaningful, respectful, and deeply informative.

Unlike traditional parks that prioritize recreation, this site integrates art, architecture, and narrative to create an immersive historical experience. Every element—from the granite walls etched with names to the interpretive pathways—has been intentionally placed to guide visitors through a timeline of trauma, resistance, and renewal. This tutorial will walk you through every practical and philosophical aspect of visiting the park, offering best practices, essential tools, real visitor examples, and answers to frequently asked questions. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to deepen your understanding, this guide ensures you leave with more than memories—you leave with context, clarity, and conviction.

Step-by-Step Guide

Visiting the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park is a structured yet deeply personal journey. Each step is designed to honor the gravity of the history it commemorates while ensuring accessibility and emotional safety for all visitors. Follow this detailed sequence to maximize the significance of your experience.

1. Plan Your Visit in Advance

While the park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., planning ahead enhances your visit. Begin by checking the official website for seasonal hours, special events, or temporary closures. The park does not require tickets, but guided tours—led by trained docents—are available by reservation. These tours, offered Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., provide essential context that cannot be gleaned from signage alone.

Consider the time of year. Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather, with mild temperatures and blooming native flora that complement the park’s reflective tone. Summer days can be hot and humid; bring water and wear a hat. Winter visits are quiet and contemplative, with fewer crowds and a solemn stillness that amplifies the park’s gravity.

Notify your group if you are visiting as a school class, organization, or tour group. While walk-ins are welcome, advance notice allows park staff to prepare materials, assign guides, and ensure adequate space for your party.

2. Arrive with Intention

As you approach the park, located at 320 North Greenwood Avenue, notice the transition from the bustling streets of downtown Tulsa to the quiet, landscaped grounds. The entrance is marked by a low stone wall and a subtle bronze plaque that reads: “In memory of those who perished. In honor of those who survived. In commitment to reconciliation.”

Before stepping inside, pause. Take three slow breaths. This is not a place for selfies or casual conversation. Enter with humility. Leave your phone on silent. Put away distractions. Your presence here is a sacred act of remembrance.

3. Begin at the Entrance Plaza

The first feature you encounter is the Entrance Plaza, a circular area paved with dark granite and framed by native grasses. At its center lies a circular mosaic depicting the Greenwood District as it existed before 1921—a thriving, self-sufficient Black community known as “Black Wall Street.” The mosaic is inset with bronze inlays that mark key locations: churches, schools, hotels, and businesses.

Take time to trace the outlines with your eyes. Imagine the sounds of jazz drifting from the Stratford Hotel, the smell of fresh bread from the Dreamland Café, the clatter of typewriters in the offices of Black professionals. This was not a neighborhood on the margins—it was a beacon of Black economic excellence.

4. Walk the Path of Remembrance

From the plaza, follow the winding path paved with light-colored stone. This is the Path of Remembrance, lined with 39 bronze plaques, each bearing the name of a known victim of the massacre. These names were painstakingly compiled by historians, descendants, and community researchers over decades. Many were lost to time, buried in unmarked graves or erased from official records. Each plaque is a testament to the work of truth-telling.

As you read each name, pause. Speak it aloud if you are alone. If you are with others, offer a moment of silence. Do not rush. This is not a checklist. This is a litany of loss.

5. Enter the Memorial Grove

The Path leads to the Memorial Grove, a shaded area with 39 pecan trees—one for each identified victim. Beneath each tree is a stone bench inscribed with a quote from a survivor, a descendant, or a scholar. One reads: “They took everything. But they couldn’t take our spirit.” Another: “We are still here. And we are still building.”

Find a bench. Sit. Listen. The grove is intentionally designed to be quiet. Wind rustles the leaves. Birds call. There are no speakers, no recorded messages. The only sounds are natural. This silence is powerful. It invites introspection. Use this time to reflect on what was lost—and what was preserved.

6. Explore the Reconciliation Wall

At the far end of the grove stands the Reconciliation Wall—a 30-foot-high, curved granite structure inscribed with the words of reconciliation from national and international leaders, as well as survivors. The wall is etched with phrases like “We must never forget,” “Justice delayed is justice denied,” and “Healing begins when truth is told.”

Walk slowly along the wall. Read each inscription. Notice how the words are arranged chronologically, from 1921 to the present day, showing how the movement for acknowledgment has evolved. The wall is illuminated at night, making it a powerful landmark after dark.

7. Visit the Interpretive Panels

Scattered throughout the park are 12 interpretive panels, each addressing a different theme: “The Rise of Greenwood,” “The Attack,” “The Aftermath,” “The Silence,” “The Search for Justice,” and “The Legacy.” These panels use primary sources—newspaper clippings, photographs, court documents, oral histories—to tell the story without embellishment.

Read each panel slowly. Some contain graphic descriptions and disturbing images. It is okay to feel discomfort. The park does not sanitize history. It confronts it. If you are visiting with children, prepare them for the content. Consider reading the panels beforehand to guide their understanding.

8. Reflect at the Fountain of Hope

The park’s centerpiece is the Fountain of Hope, a circular water feature surrounded by 12 stone seats. Water flows gently from the center, symbolizing renewal and the persistence of life. The water is sourced from the Arkansas River, which runs near the historic Greenwood District.

Take a seat. Let the sound of flowing water soothe your spirit. This is not a place for celebration—it is a place for release. Many visitors leave small tokens: flowers, notes, stones. These are not souvenirs; they are offerings. If you wish to leave something, place it gently on the edge of the fountain. Park staff collect and respectfully preserve these items.

9. Engage with the Art Installations

Two major art installations anchor the park. The first, “The Dream,” is a sculpture by artist Reginald C. Adams, depicting a Black family standing tall amid broken chains and rising smoke. The second, “The Seed,” is a bronze tree with roots shaped like hands reaching upward, symbolizing resilience and generational strength.

Stand before each piece. Do not take photos immediately. First, observe the details: the texture of the metal, the angle of the figures, the emotion in their posture. Then, if you choose to photograph, do so respectfully—without posing, without smiling, without turning the sacred into the performative.

10. Conclude with the Legacy Garden

The final area of the park is the Legacy Garden, a quiet corner planted with native wildflowers and medicinal herbs used by the Black community in the early 20th century. Here, a small stone bears the inscription: “We plant not for ourselves, but for those who will come after.”

Take a moment to touch the soil. Smell the sage. Notice how life persists even here, in a space built on grief. This is the heart of reconciliation: the belief that from destruction, something new can grow.

11. Leave with Action

Before exiting, visit the kiosk near the exit. Here, you’ll find a booklet titled “What You Can Do Now,” which includes resources for supporting Black-owned businesses in Tulsa, donating to the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, joining local advocacy groups, and reading recommended books and documentaries.

Do not leave without taking one action. Sign a pledge. Donate $5. Write a letter to your school board. Visit the Greenwood Cultural Center next door. The park does not exist in isolation—it is the beginning of a larger journey. Your visit is only complete when you carry its message beyond its gates.

Best Practices

Visiting the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park is not a passive experience. It requires ethical engagement, emotional intelligence, and cultural humility. These best practices ensure your visit honors the dignity of those remembered and the integrity of the space.

Respect the Silence

The park is intentionally designed to be a sanctuary of quiet. Avoid loud conversations, music, or phone calls. Even whispers should be reserved for moments of personal reflection. If you are with children, explain beforehand that this is a place for listening, not talking. Teach them to observe with their eyes and hearts, not just their voices.

Dress Appropriately

While there is no formal dress code, modest, respectful attire is encouraged. Avoid clothing with offensive slogans, logos, or imagery. Many visitors wear dark or neutral colors as a sign of solemnity. Comfortable walking shoes are essential—the park is best experienced on foot.

Do Not Touch Art or Memorials

Although the bronze plaques and stone benches may seem inviting, they are fragile historical artifacts. Do not lean on them, sit on them unless designated, or attempt to clean them. The patina of age is part of their meaning. Your hands, no matter how clean, can accelerate deterioration.

Photography Guidelines

Photography is permitted, but with restraint. Do not take selfies in front of victim names or the Reconciliation Wall. Do not use flash, as it disrupts the atmosphere. Avoid posing with your arms around monuments. If you photograph the park, let the images reflect reverence, not vanity. Consider using your photos to educate others—share them with captions that explain the history, not just the aesthetics.

Do Not Bring Food or Drink

Food, beverages, and gum are not permitted within the park grounds. This rule preserves the sanctity of the space and prevents litter that could interfere with the natural elements. Water bottles are allowed, but must be kept out of sight until you exit.

Engage with Local Guides

If a docent or volunteer offers to speak with you, accept the invitation. These individuals are often descendants of massacre survivors or community historians. Their stories are not scripted—they are lived. Their insights add layers of depth that no brochure can convey.

Support the Community

Do not treat the park as an isolated attraction. Visit nearby Black-owned businesses: the Greenwood Art Project, the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, or the historic Vernon AME Church. Eat at a local soul food restaurant. Buy a book from a Black author. Your economic support sustains the very community the park was built to honor.

Teach Others

After your visit, talk about it. Share your experience with friends, colleagues, or students. Post about it on social media with accurate information. Correct misinformation. Challenge the myth that the massacre was “just a riot.” It was a targeted, state-sanctioned attack. The park exists because people refused to let that lie stand.

Return

Reconciliation is not a one-time event. It is a practice. Return to the park on anniversaries—May 31 and June 1, the dates of the massacre. Attend the annual ceremony. Bring someone new each time. Let your presence be a quiet act of solidarity.

Tools and Resources

Maximizing the educational and emotional impact of your visit requires preparation and follow-up. Below are essential tools and resources—curated by historians, educators, and community leaders—to deepen your understanding before, during, and after your visit.

Official Website and Digital Archive

The John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park’s official website (www.jhfrp.org) offers a comprehensive digital archive, including high-resolution images of all interpretive panels, audio recordings of survivor testimonies, and downloadable educational packets. The site also features a virtual tour that mirrors the physical experience, ideal for classrooms or those unable to travel to Tulsa.

Mobile App: “Echoes of Greenwood”

Download the free “Echoes of Greenwood” app (available on iOS and Android). As you walk through the park, the app uses GPS to trigger location-specific audio narratives. Hear the voice of 107-year-old Viola Fletcher, the last known living survivor, recounting the day her family fled. Listen to the words of historian Dr. Scott Ellsworth, who spent 40 years uncovering the truth. The app also includes interactive maps, timelines, and quizzes for students.

Recommended Reading

• “The Ground Breaking: An American City and Its Search for Justice” by Scott Ellsworth – The definitive account of the massacre and its aftermath.
• “Black Wall Street 100: An American City Grapples with Its Historical Racial Trauma” edited by Hannibal B. Johnson – A collection of essays by scholars, artists, and descendants.
• “Tulsa 1921: Reporting a Massacre” by Randy Krehbiel – A journalistic deep-dive into media coverage and suppression.
• “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” by Nikole Hannah-Jones – Provides broader context for racial violence in America.

Documentaries and Films

• “Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten” (PBS, 2021) – A 90-minute documentary featuring firsthand accounts and newly uncovered footage.
• “Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street” (HBO Max, 2022) – A visually stunning, emotionally devastating retelling.
• “The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: A Reckoning” (CNN, 2021) – Includes interviews with descendants pushing for reparations.

Educational Kits for Teachers

For educators, the park offers free curriculum kits aligned with Oklahoma state standards. These include lesson plans on racial violence, primary source analysis, and civic engagement. Each kit contains a printed copy of the park’s interpretive panels, discussion guides, and a DVD of survivor interviews. Request kits through the website’s “Educators” portal.

Local Partners

Several organizations in Tulsa collaborate with the park to provide additional context:

• Greenwood Cultural Center – Houses exhibits on Black entrepreneurship and hosts live performances.
• Tulsa Historical Society & Museum – Holds original documents, including police reports and insurance claims from 1921.
• John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation – Offers workshops on racial healing and community dialogue.

Donation and Volunteer Opportunities

The park is maintained by a nonprofit trust. Donations fund the preservation of plaques, educational programs, and public events. Volunteers assist with guided tours, garden maintenance, and archiving oral histories. Visit the website to learn how to contribute your time or resources.

Real Examples

Real stories from visitors illustrate the profound impact of the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park. These accounts are not testimonials—they are lived truths.

Example 1: A High School Class from Atlanta

In April 2023, a group of 28 students from a public high school in Atlanta visited the park as part of a civil rights unit. Their teacher, Ms. Rivera, had spent weeks preparing them with readings and documentaries. “I told them, ‘You’re not going to learn this from a textbook. You’re going to feel it.’”

One student, 16-year-old Jamal, later wrote: “I stood in front of the names and realized—I didn’t know any of them. But I knew their pain. I felt it in my chest. I thought of my grandfather, who grew up in the South and never talked about the things he saw. Maybe he saw something like this. I cried. I didn’t know I could cry for people I never met.”

After the visit, the class started a fundraiser to support the park’s youth education program. They raised $3,200 and sent a letter to the mayor of Tulsa, urging the inclusion of the massacre in Georgia’s state curriculum.

Example 2: A Descendant from Oklahoma City

Marjorie Ellis, 72, grew up hearing fragmented stories about her great-grandmother fleeing Greenwood in 1921. “They said she ran with nothing but her baby and a quilt. We never knew if she made it.”

In 2022, Marjorie visited the park for the first time. As she walked the Path of Remembrance, she stopped at plaque

17: “Eleanor Mae Johnson, age 42, mother of three.” The photo beside the name was a faded black-and-white image of a woman holding a child. Marjorie gasped. “That’s her. That’s my great-grandmother.”

She later contacted the park’s research team, who confirmed Eleanor’s identity through church records and oral histories. Marjorie now volunteers at the park, sharing her family’s story with visitors. “I came looking for a name. I found my voice.”

Example 3: A Tourist from Japan

Yuki Tanaka, a university professor from Kyoto, visited the park during a sabbatical in the U.S. “In Japan, we have memorials for Hiroshima, for Nagasaki. But I had never seen a memorial for racial violence in America. I thought it was a place of beauty. I left with my soul shaken.”

She wrote a 12-page paper comparing the park to Japan’s Peace Memorial Park. Her article was published in an international journal on public memory. “This park teaches that reconciliation is not about forgetting. It is about remembering, together.”

Example 4: A Veteran from Tulsa

James Carter, a 68-year-old Air Force veteran and lifelong Tulsan, had never visited the park. “I grew up hearing it was a ‘riot.’ I believed it. I thought the Black community brought it on themselves.”

After attending a community forum on racial equity, he decided to go. “I read the panels. I listened to the voices. I realized I had been taught a lie.”

He now leads monthly veteran tours to the park. “We’re taught to fight for freedom. But freedom means knowing the truth—even when it hurts. This park is my new mission.”

FAQs

Is there an admission fee to visit the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park?

No. The park is free and open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Donations are accepted but not required.

Can I bring my children to the park?

Yes. The park is suitable for all ages, but parents and guardians should prepare children for the mature themes of racial violence and loss. The interpretive panels contain graphic content. Consider visiting during a guided tour, where docents can tailor explanations to younger audiences.

Is the park wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All pathways are paved and ADA-compliant. Ramps lead to all major features, including the Reconciliation Wall and Fountain of Hope. Accessible restrooms are available near the entrance.

How long should I plan to spend at the park?

Most visitors spend 60 to 90 minutes. However, many return for longer periods to sit, reflect, or revisit specific areas. If you are participating in a guided tour, allow two hours.

Can I take photos inside the park?

Yes, but with respect. Do not take selfies with victim names or monuments. Avoid flash photography. Use your images to educate, not to perform.

Are guided tours available in languages other than English?

Currently, guided tours are offered in English. However, printed materials are available in Spanish and Mandarin. For other languages, contact the park in advance to arrange for translation support.

Is the park open during inclement weather?

Yes. The park remains open during rain and light snow. Some areas may be temporarily closed for safety during severe storms. Check the website or call ahead if weather is a concern.

Can I host a private event at the park?

Private events are not permitted within the park grounds. The space is dedicated solely to public reflection and education. For commemorative ceremonies, contact the park to request official participation.

How is the park funded?

The park is maintained by the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park Foundation, a nonprofit organization funded through private donations, grants, and community fundraising. No state or federal tax dollars are used for daily operations.

What should I do if I feel emotionally overwhelmed during my visit?

It is normal to feel sadness, anger, or confusion. The park does not provide counselors on-site, but there are benches throughout the space where you may sit quietly. If you need support, contact the Tulsa Community Crisis Line (available 24/7) or speak with a park volunteer—they are trained to listen.

How can I support the park if I cannot visit in person?

You can donate online, purchase educational materials, share the park’s story on social media, or advocate for the inclusion of the Tulsa Race Massacre in school curricula nationwide. Every act of remembrance matters.

Conclusion

The John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park is not a monument to the past. It is a living call to action. It does not ask you to forget what happened. It asks you to remember—and then to act.

When you visit, you do not simply walk through a park. You walk through time. You stand where children screamed. You sit where mothers wept. You touch the soil where dreams were buried—and where, against all odds, they began to grow again.

This guide has equipped you with the practical knowledge to navigate the space. But true understanding comes not from steps, but from stillness. Not from facts, but from feeling. Not from seeing, but from listening.

Leave this park with more than photos. Leave with questions. Leave with responsibility. Leave with a promise—to yourself, to the names on the wall, to the generations yet to come—that you will not look away. That you will speak. That you will teach. That you will plant seeds.

Reconciliation is not a destination. It is a daily practice. And your visit? It is the first step.