Thank You for Keeping Us Local

Claremore is a vibrant town rich in Native American culture. Located on historic Route 66, you will experience a treasure-trove filled with eclectic shops and unique boutiques, antiques, craft emporiums, museums, restaurants, and galleries. Its residents have an independent and creative spirit that encourages collaboration and entrepreneurship. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts will enjoy Claremore Lake, parks, and many miles of multi-use trails.

Visit Claremore

Claremore is a great value getaway close to home.

By definition, the tourism industry markets places of interest to the public, and all the places of interest and things to do in Claremore makes Tanya Andrews’s role as executive director of Visit Claremore that much easier.

“Visit Claremore serves as the marketing and promotion arm for the city and the surrounding area,” Andrews said. “We share our story with the world-our story of a great community started by local entrepreneurs and small-business owners; home of Oklahoma legends, our world class museums, great events, wonderful eateries as well as our history all add to our story.”

A “behind the scene organization,” Visit Claremore’s outreach is far and wide, as it strives to reach potential visitors as well residents in the region.

“I have been in the hospitality industry for a long time; from hotels and restaurants to my long time career as the Director of Visit Claremore,” said Andrews, a second generation Claremore Zebra and RSU alumni. “I started in 2005 when it was the Claremore Convention & Visitors Bureau and has evolved into Visit Claremore. Now a department of the City of Claremore, we merged with the Claremore Expo Center in 2015. Missions were identical so the two merging made sense and allowed for more resources for both.”

As an industry “storyteller,” Visit Claremore tells the history of the community to visitors through social media, advertising, news articles and in-person with the public.

“Tourism is the purest form of economic development. It doesn’t require roads, bridges, stop lights, utilities, etc. except when we see growth in hotels, and restaurants or other related businesses,” Andrews said. “With a healthy flow of visitors the increase in usage and need of our hospitality businesses is a healthy growth to the city, via sales taxes, increased utilities and providing more jobs without taxing roads and emergency services.”

Inasmuch as tourism benefits

Above: Food Truck Thursdays are monthly spring thru early fall. Above: Alley Activation mural of Will Rogers at North Block Common.

the city, Andrews also commended the town’s many entrepreneurs, and the importance of community support.

“To buy locally you are supporting one of our own residents, who have invested thousands, maybe even millions in our community,” she said. “They have already given back by bringing, or opening, their business here; they believe that our community is worth their investment. Additionally, they are providing local jobs. Some business owners and/or property owners might not be from Claremore, however, their employees are. Those employees live here and spend their money on groceries, utilities, and contribute to our tax base.”

“To buy from a local business we are investing our money to keep them here-keep them open and employees working-we are supporting their dream and their investments they brought to the table first,” she said.

For more information about Visit Claremore, visit them online at visitclaremore.org

When planning a gettogether of any size, for work, church, business or friends, Three Twenty on Main in Claremore is the “main” event.

“Simply put, Three Twenty on Main is an event and party space venue,” explained Susan Gebhart, Three Twenty on Main partner. “After we renovated this space, it was able to handle everything from social events to business events. We host business meetings, private parties, dinners, weddings, receptions, memorial service receptions, etc.

“I tell people that if it doesn’t involve live animals, fire or water, we’re probably open to the idea of doing it,” she laughed.

Gebhart, a veteran meeting planner and event planner, had been working remotely in Claremore for a company in Texas when she had the idea for Three Twenty on Main.

“I managed meetings all over the U.S. and internationally, and the company I worked for specialized in educational meetings for physicians and nurses,” she said. “My partners and I looked around and saw this blossoming of event venues all over the country, so we said to ourselves ‘We could do that.’”

By the fall of 2016, Gebhart, Tommy Duncan and Brian Courtney found the space in downtown Claremore that would eventually become Three Twenty on Main.

Between Thanksgiving 2016 and March 2017, the building underwent a “radical transformation” before it opened to the public.

“We purposely left a lot of the base elements of the building in place – the history of the building was something we appreciated,” she said.

Able to accommodate up to 120 people with a total square footage of 4,000 feet, including a bridal dressing room upstairs and kitchen space, Three Twenty on Main can meet the needs for gatherings of all sizes.

Gebhart describes the décor as “elegantly neutral,” allowing for minimum redecoration to look festive for any occasion – casual, semi-formal, formal and very formal.

“We have a good neutral palette here, allowing people to do whatever they want to do for whatever event they plan to hold here,” she said.

Early reservations are always preferable with at least a “90 day notice” typifying how much advance time is needed for most bookings.

“People in Claremore have been so good, so welcoming to us,” she said. “When we started this, we knew we were bringing something

Visit Claremore

400 VETERANS PKWY. | CLAREMORE, OK (918) 341-8688 | WWW.VISITCLAREMORE.ORG  @CLAREMORECVB |  @VISITCLAREMORE

A+ Rated Party Venue

“Three Twenty on Main” is one of Oklahoma’s best event and party spaces for weddings, receptions and gatherings of all kinds.

Above: Susan Gebhart, Three Twenty on Main partner will help you make your event easy, friendly and comfortable. Above: Three Twenty on Main will accommodate up to 120 people.

unlike anything else in the area – it’s a little bit different, both in terms of size and environment. People have been very, very good to us. We have several loyal customers who use us for their various events, for which we’re extremely grateful.”

Three Twenty on Main is located at 320 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore.

For more information, visit http://www.320onmain.com/

Movie star. Radio personality. Newspaper columnist. Oklahoman.

Of all the destinations in Claremore, few have more history than that which honors the life of Oklahoma’s most famous son: the Will Rogers Memorial.

More than 19,000-square feet in size, the museum houses artifacts, memorabilia, pictures, manuscripts, and more pertaining to Rogers’ life, with a theater to show Rogers movies and documentaries.

“What we do is preserve and share the life and legacy of Will Rogers for future generations,” explained Will Rogers Memorial Executive Director Tad Jones.

As a native Rogers Countian, Jones is well-acquainted with the story of Will.

“I grew up in Claremore, went to school in Oologah – towns which were both important parts of Will’s early life – I’ve been around the memorial and the Birthplace Ranch (in Oologah) most of my life,” he said. “I was in the Oklahoma legislature for 12 years and became more familiar with the memorial, as it’s a state entity. When (former museum director) Steve (Gragert) retired in 2014, I was contacted to see if I might be interested in taking over for him, to which I said ‘Absolutely.’ I had a marketing background, and thought I could use that and my experience to really expand the memorial’s outreach, both in the community and beyond. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity.”

Even though Rogers rose to fame nearly 100 years ago, so many of his insights and outlooks remain as relevant today as they did during his lifetime.

“When people come to the museum, they have a good time, they have fun, and they come to understand Will’s joy for life, how he lived life to the fullest and treated everyone with respect,” he said. “He gave all for his fellow man and his family. He was just a great citizen role model for our community, our state and our nation.”

While the museum serves as a destination for travelers from around the world, many of them stopping to see the sights while traveling Route 66, Jones said he’s appreciative of the support that the museum receives from the community.

“We try to do a lot of activities for the community – to draw them in and experience Will, to bring people together in the spirit of Will,” he said. “We have Will’s Country Christmas, Will Rogers Days, Easter egg hunts, Family Days, lectures, etc. We are part of this community, sharing thoughts, ideas and friendships with Claremore residents and people within the local and nearby communities.”

The museum gift shop contains numerous books, clothing items, cards, kid’s toys, and other mementos about Will Rogers, Route 66, the community and the state – perfect for souvenirs, keepsakes or Christmas gifts.

For more information about the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, visit the memorial at 1720 W. Will Rogers Boulevard or visit them online at www.willrogers.com

Three Twenty on Main

320 W. WILL ROGERS BLVD. | CLAREMORE, OK (918) 344-0791 | WWW.320ONMAIN.COM  @THREETWENTYONMAIN

Will Rogers Memorial Museum is the Largest Memorabilia Collection of Oklahoma’s Favorite Son

Above: Will Rogers Memorial Museum is situated on a scenic landscape and features twelve galleries, a children’s museum, and library. Above: Tad Jones, Executive Director, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, OK.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum

1720 WILL ROGERS BLVD. | CLAREMORE, OK (918) 341-0719 | WWW.WILLROGERS.COM  @WRMMUSEUMS