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Memorial · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Memorial and museum on the site of the federal building destroyed by the April 19, 1995 bombing, featuring the field of 168 empty chairs, the reflecting pool and the Survivor Tree.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
On the morning of April 19, 1995, a truck bomb exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. The attack killed 168 people, including 19 children, and was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in the United States up to that time.
The outdoor memorial occupies the site of the building. Two monumental gates mark the minute before and the minute after the explosion, and between them lies a reflecting pool over the old streetbed. On the lawn, 168 bronze-and-glass chairs—one for each victim—are arranged in rows corresponding to the floor where each person was; the smaller chairs commemorate the children.
An elm that survived the blast, called the Survivor Tree, stands on a hill to the side. The museum, in a neighboring building that was also damaged, tells the story of the day of the attack, the rescue, the investigation, and the city’s recovery, with objects and testimonies.
The outdoor memorial is open at all hours and is illuminated at night.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours, including the museum.
Best time
The museum in the morning. The outdoor memorial also at dusk, when the chairs are lit.
How to get there
It’s on NW 5th Street in downtown Oklahoma City, within walking distance of Bricktown and with a nearby streetcar stop.
Tip
There is no charge for the outdoor memorial; the museum requires an admission fee. The museum visit can be emotionally heavy.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Does the Oklahoma City memorial charge admission?
There is no charge for the outdoor memorial, which is open at all hours. The museum requires paid admission.
What do the empty chairs at the memorial mean?
Each of the 168 chairs commemorates a victim of the 1995 attack, organized by the floor where the person was located. The smaller chairs represent the 19 children.
How long does a visit to the memorial and museum take?
Two to three hours, combining the museum and the outdoor memorial.