Tourism continues to play sturdy position in Bartlesville

Bartlesville is the most cosmopolitan community in Oklahoma for a city of this size, with a diverse array of attractions. This is how Maria Swindell Gus, managing director of Visit Bartlesville, describes her hometown with 36,000 inhabitants to her guests outside the city. It’s a discovery that will blow many people away.

“We have had such a large corporate presence in our community for so long that it has created a community of people who understand the importance of history and the arts and culture,” she said.

The shortlist includes Frank Lloyd Wright’s only fully completed skyscraper and Woolaroc’s incredible art collection. There’s also the Frank Phillips Home, which looks similar to what it was when the Oil Man was alive, and the Bartlesville Area History Museum, a must-see for anyone interested in Indian Territory and the state’s oil history. The Bartlesville Community Center is home to a civic ballet, a symphony, and a variety of high quality events such as the OKM Music Festival.

Although the festival – like Sunfest – was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism in Bartlesville continued to have a positive impact on the local economy of more than $ 21 million, despite the pandemic factor Officials saw a surge in numbers.

The city had to shift gears last March, focusing on outdoor options like the Pathfinder Parkway and Heritage Trail, a walking tour of historic downtown Bartlesville. Woolaroc’s free Wednesday transit and Osage Hills State Park are credited for keeping visitor numbers going. People can also safely gather for outdoor events in Unity Square, the green space between the community center and Price Tower that connects downtown attractions, hotels, shops, and restaurants.

“That made a huge difference so we’re really in a good position to continue building and really gaining momentum in this final part of fiscal 2021 to start a big spring campaign in spring 2022, and that’s what I’m looking forward to it, “said Gus.

Part of that excitement as the city emerges from the collapse has to do with the production team in town for the filming of “Killers of the Flower Moon” in Osage County, Pawhuska, and Bartlesville. This will be Gus’ fourth full-length feature film, in which she acts as a link between the production company and the community. Gus said the economic impact of production is huge and it is like a big convention coming to town, only in this case it takes six or seven months instead of two or three days.

Another gem for tourists and locals alike is making the film as authentic as possible to Indian Territory: Prairie Song. Kenneth and Marilyn Moore created this historic masterpiece on their ranch east of Dewey, which consists of more than two dozen buildings, including a drawing room, prison, post office, blacksmith shop, and more, each with its own antique furniture and tools of the time . Pay close attention when the film is released, as many of the props – dishes, wood-burning stoves, and the like – are expected to be loaned from Prairie Song.

In the meantime, Visit Bartlesville has returned from the ranch and is pleased to announce that the office and visitor center are moving to the Bartlesville Community Center. The reopening is scheduled for April 6th.

“We are very excited about it and we think it will be a good thing for visitors and a good thing for the community. We’ll be more accessible to visitors and better able to work with our partners at the Bartlesville Community Center, ”said Gus.

In all of this, Gus takes to heart that she can help people create memories.

“No matter how big or small the attraction is, the goal is for you to help people find a way to have fun with the people they love. It’s about connecting people and making sure they are having a good time and having something with them, ”she said.

There is also an added bonus. Every dollar a visitor spends also helps the local community.

Economic Impact (State Department of Tourism)

2019-20 $ 21.1 million

2018-19 $ 38.2 million

2017-18 $ 33.5 million

Visitors Inc. Total Fiscal Impact (sales tax + hotel tax revenue)

2019-20 $ 386,802

2018-19 $ 674,846

2017-18 USD 600,704