Modern Tulsa

www.wedgwoodtulsa.com

Mid-Mod enthusiasts Johnney and Jennie Hall have started a website chronicling their adventures in the restoration of their mid-century modern home in Tulsa’s Wedgwood neighborhood. The site features a blog detailing flea market finds and addictions, original and current images of their 1956 Parade of Homes house entitled “The Citation”, an overview of the the 1956 Parade of Homes and current happenings in the Wedgwood Neighborhood. Some might remember “The Citation” as it was featured in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Mid-Century Modern Tour last October.

Nice mention over at the Philbrook blog entitled Mad for Modern. Linking our HiFi modern home tour in with the craze for modern design attributed to Mad Me, Philbrook is announcing a selected works showing of Tulsa Foundation for Architecure board member George R. Kravis’ modern and contemporary design objects. Kravis recently donated 100 objects to the Philbrook Museum and the first official showing of the objects will open September 8th. Be sure to make it to the opening and stay tuned for more information to come.

Iconic architectural photographer responsible for creating a vision of a progressive, modern America, has died.

LA Times

Shulman was no stranger to Oklahoma. He photographed the states goundbreaking modern architecture from the early 50’s all the way through the 70’s. Recently the Oklahoma City Museum of Art featured a retrospective of the master’s photography entitled Oklahoma Modernism Rediscovered.

In Tulsa Shulman’s photography was instrumental in the work of local modernism icons MurrayJones Murray, photographing the Civic Center, The Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa University’s Sigma Nu house, the Robert Lawton Jones residence, St. Peter and Paul church and many more.

Shulman was an important connection between Tulsa and Modern Architecture, showing people nationwide that good design wasn’t merely reserved for New York or L.A., but that there was thought provoking, progressive modern architecture happening across the country….even in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Not quite modern but a very cool piece of Tulsa Architecture. Story from Tulsa World.

Tulsa’s swankiest hotel is on the way back

A view from near the top of the Mayo Hotel. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World

By WAYNE GREENE Editorial Writer
Published: 2/8/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 2/8/2009 2:44 AM

On a clear day you can see all the way to Oral Roberts University.

The perspective from the top of the Mayo Hotel is truly remarkable.

You also can see all the way to a new downtown, but that takes more than just altitude.

Vision: In 2001, a development company controlled by the Charles Snyder family bought the Mayo Hotel for $250,000.

The family had bought perhaps the most historic building in Tulsa — one of the places oilman J. Paul Getty lived when he called Tulsa home, the place John Kennedy, Charles Lindbergh, and Babe Ruth stayed when they visited the city, the place where Richard Nixon once spoke — for $9,000 less than the asking price for a four-bedroom Midtown home in the next Sunday’s Tulsa World real estate supplement.

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Share what you know, help build our map!

The documentation of modern architecture in Tulsa leaves a bit to be desired. There is no extensive list to consult or database to refer to. Yet…

I find researching homes built 50 or 60 years ago is no easy task. Looking to uncover the documented history of Tulsa Architecture As found through a trip to the Downtown public library, the county courthouse, the TFA archives and the real estate MLS it’s still no gimme.

As many of you may be familiar, Google has some seriously advanced mapping features. You’ve probably seen the satellite images of your house from above or the street views they recently added. So why reinvent the wheel, eh? Google also allows users to create and share personal maps. I’ve created a map of Tulsa and have began adding the architectural sights (modern that is). I have used a few different icons to illustrate whatever it is I am mapping, whether it be individual homes, commercial buildings or subdivisions.

What is so great about this is we can collaborate on this project. Surely you know the locations (actual addresses best so we can drill down and do a drive by via street view) of a few modern homes and such around town. Please make mental note and help me add them. Just email me and I will add you to the map. It will necessitate a Google account, which is free and easy to create. I’ve kept it private so not just anyone can get in there and spam this thing with irrelevant markers.

In conclusion, If we can together get a strong list of these properties we will have a complete catalog. Once input I can continue improving the interface, create some custom icons, etc. We can even link picture galleries to each marker if we want.

This is map of Tulsa architecture I created on Google Maps. It focuses on modern homes about town, including some subdivisions I think are notable among other sights. This is a work in progress but I thought I would go ahead and get what I had together up. I hope to continue pinpointing the locations of modern homes and other interesting architectural sites around town as time allows. This is no small task as you might imagine so I would love some help. Please contact me and I will add you as a contributor. All you need is a Google account and a little patience.

View Larger Map

I just wanted to let you know that next weekend TFA is having the second annual downtown living tour, which will be a tour of 5, I think, downtown residences. The Del Ray Building (Cellar Dweller), Gypsy Coffee House (and loft), Village at Central Park, Reunion Center, Philtower Lofts, and a bonus site at First Street Lofts are the sites for this year. There is also a patron party friday night at the Sophian plaza at 15th & Frisco, I think, I know it’s not downtown but there will be a couple residences open and should be pretty cool.

Get your tickets at Dwelling Spaces downtown.