Museum Prepared for Equine Traffic

Women who plan to visit the THS Museum on horseback can now breath a sigh of relief. The donation of a "mounting block" gives the museum an amenity that would be envy of all women equestrians in turn of the century Tulsa. A mounting block is a set of three steps that allows the graceful mounting and dismounting of a horse. This particular block, which was donated by Cindy Roberts in the name of the Mary G. Grant Estate, is not only functional, but is an interesting part of Tulsa's history.

The block, which is carved from a piece of solid sandstone, was commissioned by George Perryman in 1893. Perryman wanted to provide his daughters with convenient access to their mounts. In addition to the date 1893, the stone is inscribed with the initials M.S.P. for Moses S. Perryman, the elder Perryman's son. The block was first placed on a lot that now corresponds to 510 S. Main. Pioneer Tulsan Lon Stansbury purchased the location in 1904 and moved the block to his new home at Seventh and Cheyenne in 1907. Stansbury relocated the block with each new home he purchased, moving progressively south until he reached 26th Place in 1940. The block remained at that location until its donation to the THS in May.

Although the horse traffic in Tulsa has decreased since 1893, should there be an upsurge the THS is ready.