Welcome to Tulsa, Oklahoma! I’m Emily Burke, a real estate expert, born and raised right here in midtown Tulsa. Today we’re going to take a look at the historic Museum & Terwilleger Heights Neighborhoods.
Terwilleger Heights is located south & west of the posh Utica Square Shopping Center. It’s neatly bordered by 21st Street, 31st Street, Utica Avenue and Peoria Avenue. This area is one of Tulsa’s most coveted neighborhoods due to its history, its beauty & its convenient location. Surrounded by greenspaces, you still have easy access to major roads & highways, giving you the best of both worlds.
The homes in both Terwilleger Heights & Museum showcase a variety of styles, the result is a beautifully eclectic mix of architecture. While most houses in this area are two stories, there are single level & bungalows as well. The wide variety of styles is attributed to the effect that oil industry wealth had in the 1920s.
As Tulsans would travel the world, they would bring back architectural inspiration & ideas to incorporate into their own home. These stunning homes have stood the test of time too. With less than 10% of all Tulsa homes built in 1939 or before, an amazing two-thirds of the homes in Terwilleger Heights’ meet this standard with many sites being registered historic homes.
A large portion of this area has also been developed since the 1970s as people chose to invest in these beautiful homes with modern upgrades.
Nearby you’ll find Woodward Park, a destination in midtown & it’s easy to see why. From its first design efforts in 1930, the space was created for quiet contemplation & natural beauty. The result is a carefully planned experience that is stunning no matter the season. This beauty flows into the Museum & Terwilliger areas with their rolling, landscaped lawns & tree lined avenues.
These midtown neighborhoods are known for their historic homes with original vintage details like hardwood floors, arched doorways & crown molding. Many of these homes have been updated with the latest conveniences without sacrificing a bit of their vintage charm.
The Museum Neighborhood is known primarily for Tulsa’s beautiful Philbrook Museum. In 1926 oilman Waite Phillip commissioned a Kansas City architect to design an Italian Renaissance villa, the “Villa Philbrook” sits on 25 acres of formal and informal gardens. In 1938, the Phillips family donated Villa Philbrook and its surrounding gardens to the city of Tulsa, in hopes that the estate would be used for art and cultural purposes. The grand estate became the Philbrook Museum, a Tulsa landmark. Nearby you’ll also find the Tulsa Historical Society & Museum & the Tulsa Garden Center, both beloved Tulsa fixtures.
While there isn’t an elementary school in these neighborhoods, there are multiple options for both public & private schools nearby including the Avant Garde Preschool and Early Learning Center & Miss Helen’s Private School for early education. For elementary & beyond, Cascia Hall Monte Cassino School & Holland Hall are all great options. Local Tulsa Public Schools include Council Oak Elementary School as well as Edison Preparatory Middle School and Thomas Edison Preparatory High School.
With Brookside bordering the Museum Neighborhood to the west & Utica Square nearby, this elite area has plenty of organic & gourmet grocery options to choose from including Trader Joe’s, Natural Grocers, The Fresh Market,
Whole Foods, Williams-Sonoma & Sprouts.
Just minutes away is Brookside, a family friendly destination with quaint boutiques, galleries, antique shops and local restaurants. At night Brookside turns into a neon avenue, with upscale clubs and bars offering a little something for everyone.
To the north the Utica Square Shopping Center, known for its upscale shopping, gourmet dining & cultural events like Summer’s Fifth Night & Jazz Into The Night. Of course, the holiday season couldn’t kick off without Lights On Utica. Every Thanksgiving the decorations being lit at Utica Square kicks off the holiday season for the city.
Of course Cherry Street is only a few blocks away & it has a little bit of everything. Coffeeshops, local restaurants, galleries & boutiques, it’s an eclectic collection of all things Tulsa.
Our booming downtown has much to offer only minutes as well as. The Brewery District is quickly becoming a destination with regular tours & beautiful tasting spaces. The Arts District is one of Tulsa’s busiest districts with theatres, galleries & exhibit spaces. One of the biggest draws is the First Friday Art Crawl. There are so many great cocktail & dining options downtown, it’s easy to try something new every weekend.
Terwilleger Heights reminds you of a painting with it’s beautiful, unique homes set back on rich, manicured lawns under mature trees. The entire effect is a picturesque neighborhood framed by nature.
