In Dewey, a Victorian hotel dating from 1899 and memorabilia related to Tom Mix reveal two different sides of the town’s history. The Dewey Hotel Museum focuses on the building and the early history of Dewey and Bartlesville; the Tom Mix Museum brings together items associated with Tom Mix. If you choose Dewey as a destination, these museums can provide a cultural focus: architectural and local history on one hand, a collection centered on Tom Mix on the other.

The Dewey Hotel Museum: Building and Local History

The Dewey Hotel Museum is a Victorian hotel built in 1899 by Dewey’s founder, Jake Bartles. The restored Dewey Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NR 75001578). The exhibits cover the early history of Dewey and Bartlesville, extending beyond the hotel building itself.

The museum is self-guided, and guides are also available to provide information and answer visitors’ questions. This lets you explore the exhibits independently while still having help available if you have questions.

Tom Mix Museum: Collection Items and Silent Films

The Tom Mix Museum displays Tom Mix’s clothing, saddles, weapons, photographs, and other memorabilia. A life-size replica of his horse, Tony, complements the collection. These items and the replica give the museum a personal focus that clearly differs from the Dewey Hotel Museum’s emphasis on the building and the town’s early history.

Silent films are also shown daily at the Tom Mix Museum, but not after 3:30 p.m. If the screenings are important to your visit, check the times in advance. This cutoff makes a practical difference when planning your day: a visit in the late afternoon will no longer include these film screenings.

Dewey’s Rodeo Heritage and Event Connections

The Dewey Roundup was an annual rodeo event held on July 4 from 1909 to 1948. This clearly defined time span distinguishes the Roundup as a historical tradition from the museums, where collections and local history take center stage. The Dewey Western Heritage Weekend aims to keep the spirit of Tom Mix and the Dewey Roundup alive.

North of the Dewey Hotel Museum stands the renovated concrete jail, known as the Tom Mix Jail. The Stray Kat 500 is also held in downtown Dewey and around Stray Kat Station. Since event locations may change for future editions, check the details for the specific edition taking place during your travel dates.

The highlights fall at different points in time: the hotel dates from 1899, while the Roundup took place later, annually on July 4 from 1909 to 1948. A restored building and a rodeo tradition with a defined time span therefore stand side by side.

Discover more destinations: Bartlesville.

For the broader travel overview: Washington County.