Visit Standing Bear Park, Museum & Education Center in Ponca City, Oklahoma

Visitors to Standing Bear Park, Museum & Education Center are welcomed by a 22-foot bronze statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear. Created by Cowboy Artist of America, Oreland C. Joe, Standing Bear’s right hand extends to the east as he overlooks the ancient Arkansas River Valley. The park encompasses more than eight fully developed acres that includes off street parking, a one-acre pond with central arrowhead island, a walking trail winding through native grasses to the monument site, and a shaded memorial grove at a peaceful sitting area along the way. A colorful 60-foot diameter circular viewing court is located at the feet of Standing Bear and contains large limestone boulders around its parameter affixed with bronze medallions of the official seals of the six area tribes; Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca and Tonkawa.

The Museum & Education Center is a uniquely designed building that creatively defines a space set aside to honor the Native American culture in the Ponca City community.  The six area tribes are honored with display cases in the rotunda.  Throughout the building there are sculptures, paintings, and photographs.  Included in those sculptures are the original models that were submitted when the Foundation was looking for an artist to create the Standing Bear statue. 
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The Standing Bear Museum & Education Center is open ​Monday-Friday, 9 am–4 pm and Saturday, 10 am–2 pm. The park is open daily, 6 am-9pm.  Tours of the park and museum are self-guided. For special arrangements or groups, please call in advance at 580-762-1514. Standing Bear Park, Museum & Education Center is located at 601 Standing Bear Parkway in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

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