Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum — Attraction in Oklahoma City

I was very impressed with the museum. Our National Parks Service serves as a neutral third party to the event itself and once again has done and continues to do an impressive job with the running and the upkeep of this monument.

My only disappointment was in the spatial design aspects of the project. I had a difficult time understanding where the building actually sat and the direction in which it faced. I'm a very visual person and I found this frustrating especially after seeing it on TV dozens of times.

One of the most powerful things for me about an historical site is being able to see and touch physical aspects and structures as they were at the time. For example when you go to Dealey Plaza in Dallas the street, the book depository and the "grassy knoll" are all still there in their original form. Nothing has changed. You can drive along the same exact route that Kennedy took. Can you imagine going there to see where Kennedy was shot and the street removed or the depository torn down or the grassy knoll turned into something else? It just wouldn't have the same impact especially after seeing it on TV thousands of times.

Unfortunately that is what happened in Oklahoma City. The building was torn down and imploded, nothing remains save a few panels on the SE corner. The street upon which the building stood is gone, so you don't get any sense of actually "being there" and experiencing the site as it was. The only space left in its original form is Murrah Plaza, an open air space facing 4th Street which employees entered through in what technically was the back of the building. But if you follow signs and park in the Museum parking garage, go to the Museum and exit out to the grassy outdoor area, you'll miss Murrah Plaza completely! A shame because in that plaza is the original fountain, the playground where the daycare children played and we left without seeing any of that. The design of the memorial is to blame. You have to exit out one side of the outdoor area (5th street) and walk AROUND to Murrah Plaza. It's a free outdoor space open 24/7 but completely separated from the Memorial itself.

The reflection pool lays where 5th street once was and where the main public entrance was located. The truck bomb would have been in the middle of the pool right in front of the public entrance to the Murrah Building, (It was actually parked and left in a loading zone). The layout of chairs is spatially accurate and are placed as you would have been looking at the front of the building standing on 5th Street. As mentioned, on either end are these walls serving as an exit from the Memorial with no signage to walk on and view Murrah Plaza. On each wall are times. 9:01 when the bombing occurred and oddly, 9:03. The intention is that 9:03 is when the event "ended." Odd because there is nothing to indicate that the bombing actually went on for exactly two minutes and then to further suggest that the event only lasted two minutes seems to be a shallow view considering the lifetime of trauma experienced by survivors. Yes, of course the explosion itself lasted mere seconds, ok two minutes, but the focus on that in terms of design seems short sighted, even insensitive. In fact, the main criticism of the entire project, similar to that of Ground Zero, is a total disregard for the survivors of the event.

I hope this information even further enhances your experience at the Oklahoma City...

The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a tribute to the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were affected by the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was a tragic event that resulted in the deaths of 168 people and injured hundreds more. The memorial is located on the site of the former federal building and serves as a place of remembrance, reflection, and education.

Visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial was a profoundly moving and impactful experience.

The serene Reflecting Pool was the first thing I noticed. It's a long, shallow pool that stretches between two large gates, each marked with the time—one minute before and one minute after the bombing. The calmness of the water provided a stark contrast to the tragedy it commemorates, offering a space for reflection and contemplation.

This area was especially poignant. Each of the 168 empty chairs represents a life lost in the bombing, arranged in rows to signify their location in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The smaller chairs for the children who died were particularly heartbreaking. Visiting this area during sunset, when the chairs are illuminated, added an even more powerful dimension to the experience.

The Survivor Tree, an American elm that withstood the blast, stands as a symbol of resilience and hope. The plaques around the tree share messages of strength and recovery, making it a deeply inspirational part of the memorial.

The Rescuers’ Orchard honors those who aided in rescue and recovery efforts, while the Children’s Area features a wall with hand-painted tiles from children across the country. This section was both uplifting and touching, illustrating the nationwide impact and support following the tragedy.

The atmosphere of the Oklahoma City National Memorial is one of solemn remembrance, respect, and hope. It’s a place that encourages deep reflection and offers a space for healing.

The memorial is well-maintained and accessible to all visitors, with ramps and smooth pathways ensuring that everyone can navigate the space comfortably. The staff and volunteers were knowledgeable and compassionate, ready to answer questions and provide additional context.

Visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial left a lasting impression on me. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy and a testament to the importance of remembering and honoring those affected by such events.

My visit was a deeply moving experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking to understand the profound impact of the Oklahoma City bombing and the strength of the community that emerged in its aftermath.

(Note: We could not visit the museum inside, as it...

It feels surreal to be writing a review of Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on the 30th anniversary of the event that changed Oklahoma City and the world forever. The nature of violence and its impact on the residents are quite accurately captured in the museum.

I visited here back in September 2022 and was stunned and shaken to observe what happened on April 19, 1995. The museum takes you through the events of the day as if you are reliving it again--starting with the seemingly mundane events of the day leading up to 9:02am which is when the incident happened at the Murrah building. What follows is a deep exploration of the tragedy and the resilience shown by the community in coming together and dealing with both the violence and its aftermath.

The museum captures the stories of people who passed and you stop and wonder what they could have been, and also the survivors and the scars that the incident left on them. The perpetrators, how they were caught, the trial and their eventual fates are all shown as well.

When we think about violence, we think about it as something alien and as if it could never happen to us. But when it happens in the heart of a bustling downtown that is Oklahoma City, you wonder if you are ever safe from violence. The museum and the memorial grounds outside remind you that violence is always around the corner. Your gaze then wonders toward the survivor tree standing tall, and you find some solace and hope.

All in all, Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is an important place to visit if you are in the area. The augmented reality experience is available on the eponymous app as well. It might just well be the best museum I have ever visited. There is so much to learn here and I highly...