The Outsiders Museum, located in Tulsa Okla., is a very popular tourist attraction along Route 66. The house was bought by hip-hop artist, Danny Boy O’Connor, who is a big fan of the book and movie. On Aug. 9, 2019, the museum officially opened with actor C. Thomas Howell in attendance.
The Experience
I visited the museum and was able to talk to a tour guide as well as some of the other visitors. There was a woman who told me she traveled all the way from Maine just to see the museum. When she was in middle school, she read the book and watched the movie and has loved it ever since. Similarly, there was a family of three daughters and a son who live in Oklahoma City, who had just read the book and were so excited to see the museum.
Something I was not expecting was an actor from the movie to be at the museum when I visited. Ed Jackson, who played a minor role as a “motorcycle cop” was there and told us about his experience in the movie industry.
“The only thing I could buy was a mirror as I watched myself starve,” he said laughing. He explained that he wasn’t able to make much money as an actor, so he became a patrol supervisor at the Tulsa Police Department.
Many actors from the movie visit frequently, including C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, etc. I like how they incorporate the actors in the museum. There is a wall of signatures as well as a note from C. Thomas Howell in one of the desks.
The wall of signatures is a “must see” for visitors to The Outsiders Museum. (Photo by Paola Quezada)
The tour guide there, named Nicole, told me about other filming locations in the area. Down the street, a lot that is now a house, was where they filmed the scene where Johnny and Ponyboy fell asleep outside.
At Crutchfield Park, which is also down the street, is where they filmed the water fountain scene. In front of the house, there is an Airbnb called Greasers Hideout that is available to rent.
A musical also titled “The Outsiders”, was released in 2023, and I was curious to see if that somehow led to an influx in visitors, but the tour guide said she hasn’t seen any difference in the amount of people who have visited.
I had a great experience overall and everyone there was very helpful.
Summary
The Outsiders Museum offers an immersive experience of the “The Outsiders” movie. I would recommend it to anyone who has seen or is interested in seeing the movie.
It’s really cool seeing all the outfits worn by the actors and the recreation of the sets, as well as all the surrounding locations also used in the movie. Located along Route 66, the museum adds itself to the many locations to stop by when on a road trip.
