Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (2024)

TULSA — How does it feel to enter the Bob Dylan Center?

Not like you're going to be scrounging for something to see and hear, that's for sure.

Unlike the lyrics of the fabled songsmith's 1965 classic "Like a Rolling Stone," Dylan's vast archives now have a home in Tulsa's burgeoning arts district.

Housed in the former Tulsa Paper Factory, the 29,000-square-foot Bob Dylan Center, which opened to the public May 10, is the primary public venue for the expansive Bob Dylan Archive collection that includes rare photographs, memorabilia, personal effects and other items spanning the Nobel Laureate's influential 60-year career.

"I've just always been so fascinated by the man and his work. Here, we have an opportunity to look at it so deeply and then also bring in the works, the voices, of other curators, other artists (for) a rich dialogue," Bob Dylan Center Director Steven Jenkins told The Oklahoman.

Acquired by the Tulsa-based George Kaiser Family Foundation in 2016, the Bob Dylan Archive consists of more than 100,000 items spanning decades. Although the center displays a fraction of the collection at any one time, that still meant thousands of objects were on view May 7 during the VIP Grand Opening Weekend.

"(Dylan) liked the folks he met from the George Kaiser Family Foundation and felt that they could be entrusted to steward this material appropriately," Jenkins said.

"Dylan also felt Tulsa was the right place. ... He liked the vibe of the city."

Whether you go in the "jingle jangle morning" or shortly before "the night comes falling from the sky," here are 12 highlights to explore in the new Bob Dylan Center:

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (2)

1. Enter through the gate Bob Dylan made

Just a few steps inside the doors,Bob Dylan Center visitors pass the Jenny Norton and Bob Ramsey Entry Gate, a 16-foot-tall ironwork gate depicting a series of wheels and gears.

The entry gate was designed and built by Dylan last year at his Black Buffalo Artworks studio. The singer-songwriter grew up in the iron country of Hibbing, Minnesota, so the iron gate makes a fitting start to the Bob Dylan Center journey.

The gate isn't the only visual artwork by the multi-talented musician: A second-floor gallery displays a 2012 series of his pastel on paper portraits as well as an "Untitled" 1968 oil on canvas painting.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (3)

2. Legend points the way into an immersive film space

A large-scale vintage photograph of Dylan points the way into the center's first gallery, an immersive, innovative space designed to showcase an 18-minute biography directed by respected Dylan chronicler Jennifer Lebeau. Pages of lyrics that seem to be flying out of a piano and typewriter form a series of screens showing the film.

"We don't want to assume that everybody who comes in is a Dylan expert; that's a rarefied crowd," Jenkins said. "This must be — and should be — accessible to anyone who has any level of knowledge — or lack thereof — about the figure at the heart of all of this."

The film emphasizes the influence on Dylan of legendary Oklahoma singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie, whose own center is just down the block.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (4)

3. Hits keep coming in 'The Columbia Records Gallery'

Spanning much of the center's first floor, "The Columbia Records Gallery" spins out like an interactive timeline of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's life and career. Be sure to pick up an audio tour guide at the front desk to play the plethora of audio and video clips that pepper the timeline.

Displayed among many photos, newspaper clippings and album covers are treasures like the leather jacket Dylan donned for the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, where he famously went electric, along with quirky keepsakes like the reproduced contents of the musician's wallet circa 1966, including contact info for Otis Redding and Johnny Cash.

Using handwritten lyric sheets, telegrams and instruments, the gallery takes a deep dive into the troubadour's seminal songs“Chimes of Freedom,” “Like A Rolling Stone,” “Jokerman,” “Not Dark Yet,” “Tangled Up In Blue” and “The Man In Me.”

"'The Man in Me,' a sort of deep album cut from 'New Morning,' shows up 30 years later on 'The Big Lebowski' soundtrack, and it's fun tracing of the life and afterlife of a song. But give us a few months, maybe six, and you'll see a different half-dozen songs that we have equally rich and relevant materials from the archive to help illustrate," Jenkins said.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (5)

4. No quarters needed for the virtual jukebox

Grammy winner Elvis Costello, who performed at Cain's Ballroom during the VIP Grand Opening Weekend, curated the "Perspectives Jukebox Experience."

"It's a very strange thing and a very, very great honor to be asked to be involved," Costello said from the ballroom's stage, calling the new center "a beautiful thing."

"Everybody in this room could probably come up with a different 150 songs to tell the story. But our esteemed NobelLaureate has kept many a dark night at bay — and many a truth has been told."

A virtual jukebox that simulates the mechanism of a real thing, the first-floor experience allows visitors to listen to famed songs and obscure tracks from Dylan and "kindred artists" like Ralph Stanley, Buddy Holly, Roseanne Cash and many more.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (6)

5. Step into the listening booths to hear theicon's "Influences"

Modeled after the listening booths once found in many record stores, the two "Influences" booths on the first floor provide insight into some of the musicians who inspired Dylan, from Joan Baez and Lotte Lenya to Hank Williams and Little Richard.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (7)

6. Center takes visitors to The Church Studio

Tucked into a corner of the first floor, "The Church Studio Control Room" invites visitors to experience hands-on the mixing of a rotating selection of Dylan's recordings. The first two are “I Want You,“ from his 1966 album "Blonde on Blonde," and “Knockin‘ on Heaven’s Door," from Dylan’s soundtrack to the 1973 film "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid."

Inspired and sponsored by Tulsa's legendary and recently remodeled Church Studio, the exhibit also shares stories behind the making of Dylan songs like "Mississippi" and “Like A Rolling Stone.”

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (8)

7. Reading alcove stocked with Joy Harjo selections

The cozy reading alcove at the foot of the stairs to the second floor features an eclectic selection of books curated by native Tulsan and former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. The center's inaugural artist in residence, the Muscogee poet, writer and musician has picked not only the expected tomes on Dylan but also other musicians' biographies, art volumes, literary classics and children's books.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (9)

8. 1854 paintingpackedin 'The Gift'

One of the most unexpected sights in the center: Shaker painter Hannah Cohoon's 1854 depiction of "A Bower of Mulberry Trees" at the top of the stairs to the second floor.

Curated by Lewis Hyde, author of "The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World," the small exhibit "The Gift" invites people to ponder "What happens when we consider works of art as gifts and not commodities?" Cohoon's mulberry trees are an example of Shaker gift drawings, considered literal translations of a spiritual experience, vision or directive.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (10)

9. Photos immortalize superstars

Designed by acclaimed Seattle-based architectural and exhibit design firm Olson Kundig, the center's two-story facade features a mural of a 1966 photoof Dylan, taken by renowned photographer Jerry Schatzberg.

So, it's fitting that the exhibit "Jerry Schatzberg: 25th & Park" is the inaugural show in the center's second-floor Parker Brothers Creators Gallery.

Along with large-scale reproductions, contact sheets and props from Schatzberg's fruitful photo shoots with Dylan, the exhibit includes his striking 1960s images of Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and more.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (11)

10. 'Precious Memories' line a wall

In the 1980s, Dylan became one of the many musicians to cover the hymn "Precious Memories," and those are whatline the wall in the not-to-be-missed "Earl Minnis Gallery."

The second-floor wall cases are packed with all manner of ephemera and memorabilia, from the actual instrument that inspired Dylan's iconic tune "Mr. Tambourine Man" to a selection of get-well cards fans sent after the musician's 1966 motorcycle crash. (Oklahoma music fans should keep an eye out for a display on Steve Ripley and the "Shot of Love Tour.")

Each of the 90 or so objects is accompanied by a detailed description, plus audio or video, so allow plenty of time to peruse this gallery, which Jenkins said will be frequently refreshed with different items from the archives.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (12)

11. Catch a show on the big screen

Also on the second floor, the 55-seat Darby Family Screening Room is home to the center's film and video program. The initial offering is a 45-minute slate ranging from Dylan's cover of "Train of Love" on 1999's "An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Cash" to his take on "Once Upon a Time" from the 2016 television special "Tony Bennett Celebrates 90." Several of the nine selections showing on the screening room's inaugural bill are previously unreleased.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (13)

12. Archive reading room is exclusive to scholars

Bob Dylan Center visitors can only peek through the glass doors of the second-floor Douglas and Anne Brinkley Archive Reading Room. The center's more than 5,000-square-foot archive area is open by appointment only and intended for scholarly studies. Think of it as the equivalent of the green room backstage at a Dylan concert.

Bob Dylan Center

Regular hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

Where: 116 E Reconciliation Way, Tulsa.

Admission: $12 for adults; $10 for seniors (55 and older), veterans and students (18 and older with ID); and free for children (17 and younger) and kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers.

Tickets and information: https://bobdylancenter.com.

Virtual jukebox to fabled tambourine: 12 highlights of Tulsa's new Bob Dylan Center (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to go through the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa? ›

I spent about 3 hours here & could have stayed longer. Great collection of Dylan items & stories. So much from his early years to present.

Why did Bob Dylan choose Tulsa for his museum? ›

That initial cache of Dylanalia has become the cornerstone of an entire museum: the Bob Dylan Center. Recently I asked the singer-songwriter, who is 80, why he'd chosen Tulsa. 'There's more vibrations on the coasts, for sure,' he explained. 'But I'm from Minnesota and I like the casual hum of the heartland.

Where to park for Bob Dylan Center? ›

Nearby Parking
  • American Parking110 N Elgin Avenue (834 feet E)
  • Vast Bank Parking Garage2 N Elgin Avenue (937 feet E)
  • American Parking311 N Boulder (1051 feet W)
  • City Hall Parking Garage223 E 1st Street (0.2 miles SE)

Who is the director of the Bob Dylan Center? ›

Steven Jenkins - Bob Dylan Center / American Song Archives | LinkedIn.

How long does Bob Dylan concert last? ›

The curtain rose inside the theater promptly at 8 p.m., and there was living legend Dylan behind his piano. This is where he stayed for the duration of his roughly 100-minute set, plunking away on the keys as our gravel-voiced troubadour.

What is Bob Dylan's net worth? ›

Bob Dylan is an American singer, songwriter, artist, and writer. Bob Dylan has a net worth of $500 million. Much of his most acclaimed work was during the '60s, though his works have spanned five decades. Since the late 1980s, he has toured consistently on what has been called the Never-Ending Tour.

Did Bob Dylan actually meet Woody Guthrie? ›

In the late 1950s, an admirer named Bob Gleason would pick Woody up on the weekends and take him to East Orange, New Jersey, where the singer would receive visitors. It was there that Bob Dylan came to meet Woody in early 1961.

Who was Bob Dylan's muse? ›

Susan Elizabeth Rotolo (November 20, 1943 – February 25, 2011), known as Suze Rotolo (/ˈsuːziː/ SOO-zee), was an American artist, and the girlfriend of Bob Dylan from 1961 to 1964. Dylan later acknowledged her strong influence on his music and art during that period.

What was the accusation against Bob Dylan? ›

A lawsuit accusing singer Bob Dylan of drugging and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in 1965 was dropped following allegations she destroyed evidence in the case. Manhattan Federal Judge Katherine Polk Failla dismissed the case Thursday with prejudice, meaning the case has been permanently closed.

How do I contact Bob Dylan? ›

To contact Bob Dylan send an email to bob.dylan@gmail.com.

How much is the Woody Guthrie Museum? ›

Ticket prices & discounts
0 – 17Free
55+$10.00
Adults$12.00
TeachersFree
Veteran, & Student (18+ with ID)$10.00

Who is Bob Dylan's mentor? ›

Folk and blues guitarist “Spider” John Koerner, who is best known for mentoring singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, died Saturday at the age of 85.

Who owns Bob Dylan's music? ›

NEW YORK, January 24, 2022 — Sony Music Entertainment (SME) today announced it has fully acquired Bob Dylan's entire back catalog of recorded music, as well as the rights to multiple future new releases, in a major expansion of SME's six-decade relationship with the artist.

What does Bob Dylan's brother do? ›

How long does it take to go through Evergreen Aviation museum? ›

You can easily spend all day exploring the different aircraft, exhibits, and educational opportunities at the Museum. We recommend planning to visit for three hours to get the whole experience. If you only have an hour, view our top recommendations to ensure you don't miss our major experiences.

How long does it take to go through the crime museum? ›

The whole experience is estimated to take 2 hours, but it took us about 3 hours to get through everything.

How long does it take to go through the Motion Picture museum? ›

It takes approximately two hours to see the galleries. Tickets are not required to visit Level 1 of the museum, which includes the Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby, the Academy Museum Store, the Level 1 gallery of the museum's core exhibition Stories of Cinema, or Fanny's Restaurant and Café.

How long does it take to go through the Reds museum? ›

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum presented by Dinsmore is a 16,000 sq. ft. facility with exhibit galleries located on two floors. Please allow at least 45-60 minutes for your self-guided tour.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5275

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.