In 1973 a 7yr old boy discovered a dog’s skull in the woods and with his father’s encouragement he began searching for other such finds.
Young Jay Villemarette’s collection grew and after graduating then marrying his high school sweetheart Kim, they together started a business entitled Skulls Unlimited. Their business sold skulls to schools, colleges, museums, nature centres and more, until becoming “The World’s Leading Supplier of Osteological Specimens” and “America’s Only Skeleton Museum”. It had some of the rarest specimens in the world by 2010, and in 2015 opened their second SKELETONS – Museum of Osteology based in Orlando, Florida, which in 2020 began (with their 500 skeletons) transitioning to making travelling exhibits
On the Friday 12th of May 2023, it was a straight forward drive to the Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City using the Sat-Nav, with plenty of parking space. There are also a good number of disabled parking bays.
There is a zero steps entry to the building that also supplies a lift, giving access to the upper floor balcony, and is ADA compliant.
The friendly staff can also call on fully trained colleagues who have earned certification from the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma and who have an understanding and ability in assisting guests with autism and sensory needs.
After paying at the reception desk, I made my way into the main hall that was displaying the largest mammals on the ground floor. The huge skeletal structures of Elephant, Rhino, a fully clothed (furry) Lion and others towered over the space, being displayed to full effect, each creature being given its own space to parade and demonstrate their true, very impressive size. Looking up there were full skeletons of whales, including a 40-foot-long Humpback (the largest exhibit in the collection) and a Manatee.
The smallest complete skeleton on display is a Pribilof Island shrew.
Around all four walls are glass fronted displays of groups of various types from Fish, Reptiles, Marsupials, Carnivores; my favourite were the snakes.
As a partially disabled person with knee damage, I made use of the supplied lift to access the upper floor, then to return down when I had finished on that level. The view over the balcony invites a great photo opportunity of the Humpback whale, as do all of the specimens hanging down from the roof of the building.
After looking at the rest of the exhibits I must say that I fully enjoyed my visit to the Museum of Osteology, as did my wife who made her way around separately, taking in her own favourite exhibits. A very unique experience that is perfect for all ages and if you decide to visit there is a well-stocked gift shop. Recently, Jay Villemarette catalogued his 7,000th specimen
Please view the website to find out about all of their activities and events such as educational provisions.
Entry for a very reasonable:
Adults (12+) is 13 Dollars
Youth (3-13) 11 Dollars
Under 3 free
So, if you have a great day a little extra gratuity would always be appreciated to help keep your museums alive.
Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm
Sat 10am – 5pm
Sun 11am – 5pm
* * *
Graham Lovegrove is from Southampton, Hampshire, England and is a retired construction industry worker and an enthusiastic road-tripper. His son-in-law Richard M Jones (a regular contributor to Mainly Museums) suggested he might share his experiences photographing museums and Americana from his vast travels across the USA over the years.