A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TULSA GARDEN CENTER VILLA...

• The entire parcel of land from 21st Street to 25th Street, that is now the Woodward Park Complex, was originally a 160 acre Creek Indian land allotment belonging to Helen Woodward Slemp (for whom Woodward Park is named).
• The Italianate-style villa was designed by noted Tulsa architect Nobel B. Flemming.  The house was built with 21 rooms and 10 bathrooms.  Construction was begun in 1919 and completed in 1921 at a cost of more than $100,000.00.
• It was built by David R. Travis (originally known as David Rabinowitz), a Russian immigrant.  Mr. Travis and his family moved to Tulsa in 1913 from Ohio where he had been successful in the scrapmetal business.  Mr. Travis became quite wealthy in the oil field equipment salvage business.
• The Ballroom (lower level) was the location for Jewish services during the time the Travises were in residence.
• Mr. Travis and is brother Samuel built the cobblestone driveway themselves.
• Samuel Travis built the house immediately south of this one, which is currently headquarters for the Tulsa Historical Society.
• The Arboretum parking lot was originally a swimming pool.  The ceiling in the original library on the first floor is gold leaf.  The stained glass ceiling was originally a skylight.
• In 1923 J. Arthur Hull purchased the home and built the "Lord & Burnham" Conservatory and its accompanying sunken garden between 1924 and 1926.
• In 1934 Mr. George Snedden purchased the distressed mansion and his family remained in the home until 1949.
• Mr. W.G. Skelly bought the property in 1950, though he never resided here.  He sold the home in 1954, providing an educational resource center and a meeting place for horticultural and environmental organizations in Tulsa and surrounding communities.
• Since 1954, well over a million people have visited Tulsa Garden Center from all 50 states and 71 foreign countries.