Since its opening in 2014, the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR) has played a pivotal role in transforming access to the collections at the Gilcrease Museum. Previously, researchers faced significant challenges accessing the museum’s Library & Archive, which contains over 100,000 rare books, documents, maps, and manuscripts. The opening of HCAR marked a new chapter, enhancing both preservation and accessibility of these invaluable resources.
The relationship between HCAR and the Gilcrease Museum is built on a shared commitment to the preservation and study of American history. The center was constructed on museum grounds as part of a vision to create a state-of-the-art facility. With an investment of $15 million, HCAR features advanced climate control, fire suppression systems, tornado protection, and electrochromic windows designed to protect fragile documents from sunlight. This modern facility not only ensures the safe storage of irreplaceable items, such as an early handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence, but also fosters an environment conducive to scholarly research.
HCAR’s mission aligns closely with that of the Gilcrease Museum, focusing on making the extensive collections accessible to scholars, students, and the public. Through exhibitions, public programming, and scholarly events, HCAR strengthens the educational mission of the University of Tulsa and the museum’s role as a vital center for the study of American history.
Under the leadership of founding director Duane King, HCAR launched a series of symposia that addressed significant themes in American history, such as the Art and Artistry of Plains Indians Communities, Cherokee Removal and Rebirth, the Life and Art of C.M. Russell, Gender and Identity in the American West, and the History of Colonialism in Mexico and the Americas. These events not only enriched the academic landscape but also solidified HCAR’s reputation as a center for meaningful dialogue around these important subjects. After King’s passing in 2017, his vision continued to guide the center’s initiatives.
In 2018, HCAR adopted a new strategic plan emphasizing its core identity as a research center that brings people, ideas, and conversations together around a shared interest in the history of the Americas, tied to the Gilcrease collections. A group of TU faculty (the “Duane King Fellows”) created a report that serves as the anchor for HCAR’s operations. In 2020, Gilcrease hired Dr. William (Billy) Smith to lead this new collaborative vision at HCAR. Some of the strategic recommendations included hosting regular seminars featuring regional, TU, and Gilcrease scholars in conversation about new works-in-progress, supporting research and teaching among TU faculty and Gilcrease staff, hosting K-12 workshops for Tulsa-area teachers, and supporting the work of the University and museum through grant projects. Additionally, this pivot allowed the center to move away from an invitation-only research model, and instead invites applications for an annual postdoctoral fellowship, short-term research fellowships, and travel grants from a competitive international pool of applicants. HCAR now invites fellowship applications from researchers worldwide and organizes smaller, frequent scholarly programs that encourage interaction among researchers and museum staff.
The center also plays a crucial role in educating students from The University of Tulsa. Students gain hands-on experience with the museum’s collections, learning from expert staff while participating in real-world research. This integration not only benefits the students but also enriches the museum’s mission to educate and inspire the community.
Since 2019, HCAR has hosted six Duane H. King postdoctoral fellows, ensuring the continuation of cutting-edge scholarship and new scholars serving as ambassadors for HCAR. The center has maintained its annual works-in-progress seminar program, successfully transitioning to virtual formats during the pandemic.
Despite the pandemic that halted in-person research traffic for 2020-2021, since 2022 HCAR has welcomed 125 researchers for 466 in-person research visits, hosted 42 tours for 251 people, fulfilled nearly 300 reference requests, provided over 13,000 image files for remote research, and served researchers around the world representing 134 institutions.
In 2023, HCAR introduced the Cultures of the Americas Seminar, a public event focusing on prize-winning books related to the history of the Americas and connections to the Gilcrease collections. This initiative invites authors and scholars to engage with the public, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas.
As HCAR and Gilcrease Museum continue to collaborate, their partnership remains a cornerstone of their mission to explore and celebrate American history. Together, they are making significant strides in sharing this rich tapestry of the American experience with a global audience.