Guthrie Scottish Rite, Oklahoma, United States

5Soonergrrrl 5:00 PM Jun 29, 2008

Best kept secret
I can't believe I'm the first to review this Oklahoma treasure. It shouldn't be THAT surprising since I lived in Oklahoma for more than 20 years and never heard of it ... and my Dad taught Oklahoma history & geography for years! Anyway, this is a treasure not to be missed. It is worth the drive even if you are in OKC. It's been a few years but mostly I remember the stained glass, much of it Tiffany. There is also a room with three huge stained glass windows with the most vivid colors you can imagine. I never saw anything like it even while traveling in Europe. You can take a virtual tour on their website but please go see it in person. Years ago when I toured they let you take all the pictures you wanted. One of my favs was the rose room with so much wealth down to triple gold plated screws holding the hinges in the door. Several of the rooms are devoted to ancient civilizations, Pompeii, Asyrrian, Egyptian. The library is phenomenal as well with beautiful quotes arfully painted on the walls. The atrium holds the pen that the president signed our state into existence with. I wish I had pictures but I visited more than 15 years ago before I had a digital camera. The guide told us that the Interior Designer went on to decorate Rockefeller Center in NYC after she completed this. Please don't miss this Oklahoma treasure.

5doermandutch 5:00 PM Aug 13, 2016

If you have any interest in architecture or interior design - you must visit this structure.
We visited Guthrie in 2006 and saw this huge strikingly out of place structure the takes up a city block. After doing some calling around I learned you tour the facility by appointment on the weekends. I think we called 405-282-1281 to set up the tour. From street level it is a massive limestone edifice that looks like it should be in Washington, DC – not Guthrie, OK (don’t get me wrong I like Guthrie but this building needs to be air lifted to the Mall in our National Capitol). As you entire the building, notice the massive doors and woodwork. Once inside you will again be struck by the craftsmanship – the guys who built this were world class carpenters and stone masons. The tour begins with a massive foyer that dazzles the eye in all three dimensions. Marble staircases on either end of the foyer take you to the second floor. Ok – I know nothing about classic décor so take this description with a grain of salt. Each of the rooms we toured was decorated in a distinct style – Victorian, Elizabethan, Edwardian, Egyptian, and one room that was straight out of Count Dracula – no kidding it looked like his Castle in Transylvania. Gorgeous rugs and tapestries! The central music hall is as big and more elaborate than Opera Houses we have seen in several major cities. Be sure to have them play Bach’s Toccata in Fugue in D minor on the organ – music for the gods! I guess you can tell I was really impressed. We take all our out of town guests with an interest architecture to tour this structure.