J. M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum facts for kids
The J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum is a super cool place in Claremore, Oklahoma. It's home to one of the biggest collections of guns in the world! Imagine over 20,000 firearms from all over, including old Kentucky rifles, powerful Gatling guns, and even guns used by famous outlaws.
But it's not just about guns! The museum also has tons of other amazing things. You can see 1,200 German beer steins, beautiful statues, old music boxes, and collections of swords and knives. There are also cool Native American artifacts, old household items, and even hundreds of animal horns! It's like a giant treasure chest of history.
The Story Behind the Museum
This amazing museum tells the story of a man named J.M. Davis. He wanted to save a piece of history for everyone to enjoy. He called his collection the "World's Largest Privately Owned Gun Collection."
How J.M. Davis Started Collecting
J.M. Davis got his very first gun when he was just seven years old. This sparked his interest in learning about all kinds of guns. He kept collecting for 78 years until he passed away in 1973.
From Hotel Display to Public Museum
In 1917, Mr. Davis moved to Claremore, Oklahoma. He bought a hotel called the Mason Hotel. By 1929, he had gathered over 99 different types of guns. He started showing off his collection by hanging them on the walls of his hotel! His collection included everything from a 500-year-old Chinese hand cannon to the smallest manufactured gun in the world.
In 1965, J.M. Davis decided to give his huge gun collection to a special group called the J.M. Davis Foundation, Inc. This foundation then made an agreement with the state of Oklahoma. The state received the entire collection. In return, Oklahoma promised to keep, protect, and display the collection for everyone to see. The best part? There would be no charge to get in!
Within four years, a brand new museum building opened to the public. It was a big space, about 40,000 square feet. The museum opened on J.M. Davis's 82nd birthday, and people were very excited to visit!
