Pottawatomie County: Art, History and Nature

Art collections, cultural institutions, historic sites and landscapes shape the travel experience in Pottawatomie County. The themes range from the permanent collections of the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art and the culture of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation to wildlife conservation and events in Historic Downtown Shawnee. You can tailor your trip to your interests, whether you are especially interested in cultural history, nature or a particular event.

Experience Art and Culture

The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art was founded in 1919. Its permanent collections include Egyptian, Greek and Roman objects, as well as art from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance through the early 20th century. They are complemented by extensive collections of Indigenous American, African, Oceanic and Eastern cultural artifacts. Different periods and cultural traditions are represented side by side, from ancient objects to works of art from later eras.

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center presents and shares the culture, traditions and history of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Its offerings are intended for tribal members and the public. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Eagle Aviary offers another insight into caring for nature and wildlife: injured eagles and other birds of prey that cannot return to the wild find a permanent home there. Free tours are offered Thursday through Saturday by appointment.

Historic Sites and Memorials

The Santa Fe Depot was built in 1903–1904 and operated as a train station until 1973. The Oklahoma Veterans Memorial in Shawnee is shaped like a five-pointed star, with each point representing a branch of the armed forces. The memorial park includes a ten-section granite wall bearing the names of all known Oklahoma residents who have died in service since the Spanish-American War. A 1965 Huey helicopter is also mounted above the memorial.

The Milburn Center opened in 2021. It houses the Pottawatomie County Historical Society and local exhibits, whose contents may change. A memorial stone marks a site near the Jesse Chisholm Trading Post and Spring, a historically significant trading post and spring from the territorial period. These places offer different points of focus: the depot recalls its former use as a train station, while the memorial and memorial stone commemorate people and history.

Historic Downtown Shawnee and Events

Historic Downtown Shawnee is a pre-statehood district along Main Street. The pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly route is one mile long and includes restaurants, bars, boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, a water park and entertainment. The district combines its historic character with a range of offerings along Main Street.

Recurring events there include block parties from April through September, a car show in July, a Halloween festival in October and the Parade of Lights in December. Check the specific dates before your trip. The Pottawatomie County Free Fair also offers a variety of activities: annual offerings include livestock shows, a petting zoo, live music, barrel racing and team roping. Check the current year's schedule in advance.

Lakes, Wildlife and Outdoor Activities

At Lake #1, Isaac Walton Park includes a pavilion, campsites and picnic areas. The land around the Shawnee Twin Lakes serves as a wildlife refuge. The two places have different focuses: Lake #1 has facilities for camping and picnicking, while the land around the Twin Lakes is used to protect wildlife.

The Airport Trail offers a distinctive route, passing through a lit tunnel beneath the runway. At FireLake Golf Course, water hazards come into play on 13 of the 18 holes. The course also has 11 lakes and a natural stream running through its center. Water thus shapes several aspects of the course, from the hazards on the holes to the stream flowing through its center.

Explore more destinations: Maud, Rogers County, Pushmataha County, Washita County, Adair County, Wagoner County, Latimer County, Cherokee.

For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.