The vision for this landmark museum addition to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum – Foreword – builds on the chapters of the April 19, 1995 story. Since the 2001 opening of the Museum which is housed within the historic Journal Record Building, visitors have explored the personal stories of those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. The number of visitors has increased over the years, and the need for us to continue to evolve alongside societal trends remains as strong as ever.
Foreword introduces new and expanded programming spaces in an engaging architectural work. This new space will add more than 12,700 square feet. Designed to be purposefully inviting and visible, the architecture embraces the site and signals to the community that a new experience awaits. Contemporary security procedures seamlessly greet visitors arriving from an adapted outdoor landscape, pathway system and Children’s Area through two new sets of entry doors.
Visitors ascend to the new lobby level, greeted by curated art from the Murrah Federal Building itself and an overview of the Museum’s ensuing chapters. The light-filled lobby embraces large crowds and small groups, connecting the Outdoor Memorial through vision glass to a relocated Mission Statement. Visitors’ eyes are drawn upwards and outwards. Across from a bright circulation stair and a pair of transparent elevators, visitors are greeted at a newly positioned ticketing desk. Lockers and an adjacent family restroom complement the enhanced visitor experience.
We invite you to embark on this extraordinary journey with us by donating to the Foreword Capital Campaign.