Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, Tulsa

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium (TASM), located on the northwest edge of Tulsa International Airport, offers a deep dive into Oklahoma’s rich aerospace legacy. Spanning 19,000 square feet, the museum features interactive exhibits, vintage aircraft, and educational programs for students, Scouts, and summer campers.

Inside Hangar One, visitors are taken on a chronological journey through Tulsa's aviation history. The Early Birds exhibit introduces aviation pioneer Duncan A. McIntyre, while a detailed replica of Tulsa’s original art deco airport terminal, designed by Leon B. Senter, showcases original architectural elements and historical artifacts. The Pearl Harbor survivors' exhibit features an interactive touchscreen with firsthand accounts from Oklahomans who lived through the 1941 attack.

World War II-era displays highlight Tulsa’s wartime contributions through companies like Spartan Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft, while commercial aviation exhibits honor airlines such as American Airlines and TWA. American Airlines is given special focus for operating the world’s largest private aircraft maintenance base in Tulsa.

TASM also shines a spotlight on space exploration, featuring Tulsa’s role in the early Peaceful Uses of Space Conference and offering visitors hands-on experiences like operating a mock Space Shuttle robotic arm. The museum pays tribute to Oklahoma astronauts and presents Tulsa’s connection to both manned and unmanned space missions.

Among the aircraft on display are rare models like the Spartan C-2, Spartan NP-1, Rockwell Ranger 2000, and an F-14 Tomcat. A smaller but meaningful exhibit tells the story of 42 Israeli Air Force trainees who studied at Spartan College in 1949, supported by Tulsa’s Jewish community.

Adjacent to the museum, the James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium, opened in 2006, features a 50-foot full-dome theater using cutting-edge HD technology. It offers immersive star shows, astronomy programs, and community events that transport visitors into the cosmos while fostering a deeper understanding of Earth and space.

Together, TASM and its planetarium serve as a hub for education, exploration, and remembrance-celebrating Tulsa’s pivotal role in aviation and space history.