The Chelsea Area Historical Museum is a project of the Chelsea Area Historical Society. The societies purpose is to collect, preserve, and interpret Chelsea's past for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations.
The museum is housed in the recently restored historic Bank of Chelsea opened in 1904, likely one of the first State Banks in Indian Territory. The restoration project was launched in 2021 by the Chelsea Municipal Authority and the Chelsea Area Historical Society to preserve the historic bank. The museum celebrates the rich history of Chelsea and its surrounding community. Located only a block from Route 66, it’s an ideal place to pause, step inside, and discover the history of the area
The information and history of our town is rich in variety, importance, and culture. From agriculture including cotton and cattle to energy development of coal and oil , Chelsea emerged as an important location for the growth and success of the Cooweescoowee District of the Cherokee Nation which progressed through Statehood and continues today.
Get a preview of the Chelsea Area History Museum with this short video showcasing the building’s history and some of the exhibits you’ll see inside.
Where Chelsea's History Comes to Life
Explore Chelsea’s history through interactive touch-screen videos, historic photographs, and immersive graphics. From the Cherokee Nation’s reestablishment in Indian Territory to Route 66 travelers passing through town, the museum brings generations of stories to life.
From the Cherokee Nation to Oklahoma Statehood
Discover how the Cherokee Nation reestablished itself in Oklahoma after being uprooted from its ancestral home, and how the Cherokee people adapted through assimilation into the new state.
Legendary Figures with Chelsea Roots
Learn about Chelsea’s earliest citizens, most of them with Native American ancestry and how they survived and thrived, producing legendary figures like World War II hero, Admiral Joseph J. “Jocko” Clark; major-league pitcher Ralph Terry, Most Valuable Player of the 1962 World Series; ProRodeo Hall of Fame announcer and nationally known political figure Clem McSpadden; and J.B. Milam, the first Cherokee Chief appointed by a United States President.
Connections to American Icons
See how Chelsea is connected to Will Rogers, ProRodeo Hall of Famer Bob Crosby, and Andy Payne, the Foyil native who won the 3,442-mile International Trans-Continental Footrace in 1928.
Life on the Early Frontier
Experience the daily lives of early settlers in farming, ranching, coal mining, oil drilling, and commerce — including Oklahoma’s first oil well and a 1910s Sears catalogue house.
Schools, Churches & Outlaws
Explore early Native American schools, churches established by circuit riders, and stories of bank robberies and lawmen
A Deep Connection to Route 66
Discover how Chelsea became woven into the legacy of the Mother Road and remains a meaningful stop for travelers today.
Our Story
The original Bank of Chelsea was built in 1896, a devastating fire in April of 1904 destroyed the building and a new bank building was built on the same site. The Bank of Chelsea operated in the new building until around 1914, when it moved to the Union Bank and Trust building. The bank building operated many businesses over the years, until it fell into disrepair and was no longer used. In 2021, the Chelsea Area Historical Society started a massive restoration project to the turn the bank building into a museum that showcases the history of Chelsea and the surrounding area.
Want to learn more about the history of the bank building?
Thanks to a generous grant, along with donations from our community and supporters such as the Cherokee Nation, we have been able to renovate the historic bank building and open a museum that highlights the very best of the Chelsea community. However, continued support is essential to keep the museum open and operating. Please consider making a donation to help sustain this newest attraction on Route 66 for both our community and the travelers who visit it.