Pioneer Woman Museum & Statue

The Pioneer Woman Statue was commissioned by E. W. Marland. This 17 foot bronze is on the National Register of Historic Places. The newly expanded museum features exhibits of women who have made outstanding “pioneering” contributions in space, photography, medicine as well as settling a new land.

In 1927, Marland had the idea that a statue should be erected to honor the spirit of the women who played such a significant role in the settling of this part of the country. He hired 12 artists to submit their own design, for which each was paid $10,000.

The twelve miniature 3-foot statues toured the country by train, traveling to 12 different cities in six months. The statues were viewed by 750,000 people who cast votes for their favorite. The overwhelming favorite was the monument of a confident woman and her young son, created by sculptor Bryant Baker of New York. The statue stands 17 feet high and weighs 12,000 pounds.
It is mounted on a pyramid limestone base, making the total height over 30 feet.

When the statue was unveiled on April 22, 1930, more than 40,000 people gathered to witness the unveiling and hear famous Oklahoma humorist, Will Rogers. Marland presented the Pioneer Woman Statue and the land surrounding it to the State of Oklahoma and her people.

The Pioneer Woman Statue stands at Monument Circle