Greenwood Rising’s ‘Freedom Fridays’ offers free admission to history center

Greenwood Rising’s “Freedom Fridays” returns this year for Oklahomans interested in visiting the history center to learn more about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

The initiative offers free admission for state residents on the second Friday of each month. It’s a partnership with TTCU Federal Credit Union, one of the donors that helped launch the center. 

“We want people to come. So if (the cost of) admissions are an impediment, here’s your chance,” Raymond Doswell, Greenwood Rising executive director, told The Eagle.

Although organizers initially thought to offer “Freedom Fridays” only in February during Black History Month, they decided to make it a year-round thing, Doswell explained. 

“We’re here marking Black history 365 days a year,” he said.

Doswell said it is common for visitors, from Oklahoma and beyond, to tell him “I don’t recall learning this in school.” He hopes visiting the center inspires people to do a deeper dive into the legacy of Black Wall Street and Greenwood. 

Knowledge of that legacy, he said, is especially important today with attempts under President Trump’s administration to conceal some of that history.

“For African Americans — for everybody — in this moment where some of these histories are being questioned, resources like ours are being challenged to be truthful storytellers,” Doswell said. “And we’re just really scratching the surface. Hopefully it inspires people to want to learn more.”

Walk-in visits are welcome but to help avoid overcrowding, organizers strongly recommend making reservations. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and you’ll need proof of residency at check-in.