The Samuel Travis Mansion - Tulsa Historical Society's Home
Travis Mansion After Extensive
Exterior Renovations
 The
Travis brothers left Tulsa for California in the mid-1920's. David
Travis' home, the current Tulsa Garden Center, was purchased by
the Hull family. Samuel Travis' residence became the home of the
Charles Tibbens family. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbens executed a major remodeling
of their home in 1928 and lived there until the 1950's. A succession
of owners occupied the home, which remained a residential property
until its sale by the Fichtenberg family in late 1997.
Despite its history of continual use as a residence, the Samuel
Travis residence faced the potential of demolition, when it was
purchased by a developer who planned to construct thirteen homes on
the estate's 3.2 acres. Community sentiment favored the preservation
of the structure and its important open lawns adjacent to the Tulsa
Garden Center and the Arboretum.
 With
the generous support in the form of gifts, loans and matching grants
from the Tulsa Tribune Foundation, the structure was purchased by
the Tulsa Historical Society in December, 1997. The Society is
currently in the process of adapting this landmark into its future
home. The house will serve as the Society's headquarters and will
provide space for a comprehensive museum on Tulsa's history with
exhibits formed from the organization's permanent collections.
Additionally, with the support of the Tulsa Tribune Foundation, the
Society's resources will be developed into the Tulsa Tribune Center
for Tulsa History. Using the advantages of modern technology,
research material in the Society's collections will be made
available to a wide range of interested researchers, ranging from
renowned scholars to local businesses and governmental agencies to
school children. Use of the Society's collections in this manner not
only will maintain the name of The Tulsa Tribune in the community's
memory, but as an active part of Tulsa's future.
Travis Mansion at Night
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