In 1997, the Tonkawa Historical Society purchased a building in downtown Tonkawa to house a museum. Ideally located directly across from Centennial Park, the McCarter Museum of Tonkawa History was opened on July 4th, 1997. The innovative interior layout was designed to tell a series of "stories."
The Museum features:
- A Nez Perce and Tonkawa Tribal section,
- A gallery of photos of early-day Tonkawa,
- Schoolroom,
- University Prepatory School-Northern Oklahoma College exhibit,
- Depression era kitchen,
- Three Sands Oil Field memorabilia,
- Newspaper office,
- WW2 German Prisoner of War Camp exhibit,
- Military Room,
- Medical display,
- 1860's bedroom,
- Country church,
- 1900's parlor and bedroom.
- There is a Cherokee Strip corner and a telephone office space.
The Farm Room houses a replica of a sod house interior, a mural painted by well-known artist, Gene Dougherty, a wagon, plows, and many smaller artifacts related to farming, as well as numerous photos of farm homes of a century ago.
A railroad exhibit and a general store are also included.
A small gift shop offers books on local history.
Efforts are being made to acquire a collection of genealogy-related books, microfilm and CD's for use by museum patrons.