The Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue is dedicated to the remarkable women who became influential in the State of Oklahoma. It showcases the legacies of women of different races, nationalities, and creeds, who became historical due to their contributions within Oklahoma. In the area, visitors will not only find historical documents and artifacts that describe the stories of the remarkable women in the past, but there is an erected bronze statue a heroic woman that stands at least 30 feet tall.

The 3000 square feet museum started construction in 1957; and later opened its doors on September 16, 1958. When the museum was placed under the Oklahoma Historical Society, an expansion project took place that would add 7000 square foot. The museum was rededicated in April 1998 and the area now encompasses 10,000 square feet. Most of what you will see inside are relics of pioneer life by the women ? majority of them have contributions in various fields in Oklahoma?s history, even until today. Aside from that, there are documents that remained public and artifacts that entailed the daily life of the Oklahoma?s Cherokee Strip homesteaders.

On the other hand, the bronze statue that stands erected outside the museum was envisioned by E.W. Marland, a resident of Ponca City. He was an oilman, philanthropist, U.S. Congressman, and the 10th governor of the state of Oklahoma. Marland commissioned several sculptors for the statue until Bryan Baker?s version of the pioneer woman was declared the winner. It was said that the statue, which was unveiled in 1930, symbolizes a young, sun-bonneted pioneer mother that walks confidently while leading her son. She is a woman that speaks of beauty and is proud of her dignity. The statue is dedicated to all pioneer women around United States for their hardships and dangers they faced while fighting for their rights to be recognized.