Osteology Museum in Oklahoma City
Osteology Museum in Oklahoma Museum
We love exploring things when we travel – the sites that are high on everyone’s list of things to see and the things that are a bit off the beaten path. A museum of bones clearly falls into the ‘off the beaten path’ category. Driving there…off the main freeway….down a long street in an industrial area…I sure felt off the beaten path!
Skeletons: Museum of Osteology is a cool spot for any age to visit!
The world’s largest private collection of bones are owned by the Osteology Museum founder, Jay Villemarette. His private collection displays 300 skeletons from all over the world and they are impressive to see.
The museum even has scavenger hunts for kids of all ages to help them interact with the displays. Thankfully the scavenger hunts are created with specific ages in mind so everyone can have fun looking without being overwhelmed by information too detailed for them. When you fill out your scavenger hunt paper you get a treat! The scavenger hunt and getting to touch some of the displays make this a very kid friendly interactive place to visit.
We loved standing right next to the hippo and giraffe. It was fascinating to see the sheer size of those creatures. Check out the enormity of this whale skull!
How does a museum like this one get started? When the owner was a little boy, he found a skull in the woods and was so curious about it he began to find other animal skulls. He entered one in a state fair and won!
I love the story about the owner as a 7 year old boy who fell in love with bones and skeletons. I imagine him as a 10 year old and then a 13 year old, finding skulls and then bringing them home to clean them on the stove. Imagine being his mom….and finding boiling skeletons in your soup pots on your stove. I think that might be right up there with finding lizards in blue jean pockets when you are getting them ready for the laundry machine. Boy moms = tough cookies!! LOL!
Next to the museum is Skulls Unlimited which is a sister company and a source for natural and replica osteological specimens. In English: Skulls Unlimited is a company that cleans real skeletons and creates artificial skeletons and then sells them. These specimens are all legally and ethically obtained and are valuable to the research, education, and medical communities.
We learned a lot that day from these wonderful displays that show the differences – both subtle and extreme. We especially enjoyed the skulls from dogs as we have a Brussels Griffon who has a flat face and a sheltie that has a long snout. Explore the differences between similar species.
A particularly fascinating display is of cat skulls. The skulls have differences because of breed and disease.
Osteology Museum in Oklahoma City
10301 South Sunnylane Rd
Oklahoma City, OK 73160
405-814-0006
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8-5
Saturday 10 – 5
Sunday 1 – 5
Tickets:
Adults: $10
Children 3 – 12: $8
Children 0-3 FREE
In 2015, the company expanded and now there is a Osteology Museum in Orlando, Florida.
Oklahoma has a lot to offer the traveler. Read more for your family vacation to OK!
 CLICK HERE – What to See in Tulsa
COMING SOON – CLICK HERE – What to See in Oklahoma City
CLICK HERE – Chihuly Glass Exhibit Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Happy Travels,
Natalie, The Educational Tourist
What a great museum! OMG that whale skull is dauntingly big but what a great way to show perspective to the kids. Sounds like a fun adventure was had by all.
Wow, 300 skeletons!! Love the idea of visiting a museum via scavenger hunt, it sounds like a fun way to explore for all ages. That whale skull is pretty incredible, as well!
This place would be great for Kate, she loves anatomy. I mean so do I but its a speciality of hers being a physio. Looks facinating.
This is a kind of museum that our family would like to visit and examine each one of the exhibit materials. I pinned it for feature reference when we drive through OKC.
Oh, great! I keep lists like that, too. These sort of out of the way things are always a cool experience!
It’s the first time I’ve seen a museum that focuses mainly on bones like that! Looks like you had so much fun. The cat skulls look really interesting, I had no idea they looked like that. The story about the owner is also inspiring. It’s great how he made something that’s related to his dream. Thanks for sharing!
I thought so, too. A kid who found his passion so early!! Imagine all the creepy things he brought home..his poor mom. LOL
My son loves bone hunting when we camp. I wonder if he should get a job here one day!
This museum sounds exciting! Kids will surely be thrilled seeing those bones.