It's been a long, lonely spring at Oklahoma's museums, attractions and historical sites.
Most have been shuttered since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that's starting to change as the state's reopening progresses.
“We’ve been planning for our reopening since the day we closed – I’m confident in the new processes and safety procedures we have in place, but more than anything, in our team who has worked hard to make it possible for us to reopen safely," said Sherry Marshall, president and CEO of Science Museum Oklahoma, which is reopening Monday to the public.
"Although many things will look different, what won’t change is coming to the museum to experience the wonder and relevance of science. The rich experiences we’re known for will continue to happen here – and it’s our people who make that possible.”
Although a few early adapters like the Oklahoma City Zoo, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford and Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks have already reopened, several state museums and attractions have announced June reopening plans. Some are reopening in phases, and most have new safety protocols in place.
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is moving through its phased plan, with timed tickets and limited hours for museum members starting on June 6 and then reopening to the general public on June 17. The special summer exhibition “POP Power from Warhol to Koons: Masterworks from the Collection of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation" will be on view when the museum reopens.
"We are extremely grateful for our members and these special preview weeks are our way of saying thank you for continuing to support the museum during a difficult time," said President and CEO Michael J. Anderson in an email.Although many state museums and attractions remain closed, here is a list of some that have announced June reopening plans:
Science Museum Oklahoma
Now open to members, public reopening Monday.
Safety protocols: Required timed, online tickets; shorter hours; limited number of guests; more sanitation stations; enforced social distancing; antimicrobial films on high-touch surfaces; increased sanitizing; staff to wear masks.
Also: Some attractions may close briefly for sanitizing, may require a mask to participate or may have limited capacities. Camps also begin Monday. Information: www.sciencemuseumok.org.
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Reopens Saturday for members only, June 17 to the public.
Protocols: Timed tickets; online reservations; limited number of guests; shorter hours; staff wearing masks; hand sanitizing stations; social distancing signage; increased sanitizing.
Also: The new traveling exhibit “POP Power from Warhol to Koons: Masterworks from the Collection of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation" will be on view. The Noble Theater is to open at limited capacity in mid-June. The Museum Cafe remains closed. Information: www.okcmoa.com.
Frontier City
Reopens Friday.
Protocols: Masks required for all guests older than 2 and all employees; required online reservations; high-tech, non-invasive temperature checks for guests and staff; limited daily attendance; social distancing in lines, on rides and in seating areas; more hand sanitizer stations; increased disinfecting.
Also: Frontier City is the first of 26 Six Flags locations nationwide to fully reopen. It is believed to be the first theme park in the country to reopen.
Information: www.sixflags.com/frontiercity.
Oklahoma History Center
Galleries reopen Monday, research center on Tuesday.
Protocols: Staff to wear masks; visitors encouraged to wear masks; increased cleaning; social distancing encouraged.
Also: Most other Oklahoma Historical Society museums, sites and affiliates reopen between Monday and Wednesday. All historical society-sponsored events have been canceled or postponed through July 31, and some may be canceled beyond that date. Information: www.okhistory.org/about/reopening.
American Banjo Museum
Reopens Tuesday.
Protocols: Guests required to wear masks; disposable masks available; social distancing encouraged; enhanced facility cleaning and maintenance.
Also: New to the museum will be the exhibit "Women of the Banjo" and a video greeting from Kermit the Frog, plus the exhibit "The Banjos That Made the '20s Roar" returns.
Tulsa Zoo
Now open to members, public reopening Monday.
Protocols: Required advanced online ticketing for three-hour visits; limited the number of guests on zoo grounds; social distancing encouraged; increased cleaning; some areas remain closed. Information: tulsazoo.org.
To see the entire list, visit The Oklahoman.
