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About! Augusta Corson settled on this site with her parents in 1893 and became one of Oklahoma 's most important artists. At the age of 26 she married James Metcalf. Two years later, the marriage ended, leaving her with an infant son. This did not daunt the petite pioneer. She added an 'e' to her name and continued to reside the rest of her life on the family farm with son and eventually his wife, Helen. She was adept at drawing by the age of twenty, when she began working in a variety of mediums, including oils, watercolors, and ink. She became best known for her depiction of Oklahoma's pioneer heritage. The Metcalfe Museum is the repository for these works which span over 80 years. Her representations of prairie fires, ranching scenes, and the rugged Oklahoma landscape take the viewer on a journey into western America 's pioneer past. Metcalfe's importance to western art is evidenced by her induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. A feature story in the July 17, 1950 issue of Life magazine was an equally great honor. Augusta 's struggle to survive as an artist and single mother in a brutal land is not only a testament to the American pioneer spirit, but to the mental and physical capabilities of pioneer women. In 2006, the property was place on the National Register of Historic Places because it was the seventy-eight year residence of artist Augusta C. Metcalfe. The Museum The museum, which houses Metcalfe's art, was established through the generosity of the artist's son, Howard. The museum is located on the family's 640 acre homestead in Roger Mills county. It was christened the Break O'Day Farm by mother and son in the 1920's. The museum consists of a modern art gallery, museum shop, and visitor's center. The art gallery features many of Metcalfe's oils, watercolors, and drawings, as well as information and artifacts which interpret the artist's life. In addition to Metcalfe's works, the gallery hosts at least three art exhibits per year. These exhibitions often feature the works of current visual artists from western Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle. Many focus on art produced by women. The climate-controlled, handicap accessible museum includes a visitor's center, break room, museum shop and public restrooms. The visitor's center is available for artists' receptions, club meetings, luncheons, baby showers, weddings, workshops, and other functions. The break room adjoins the visitor's center and provides a location for guests to eat lunch, rest, or conduct business. Handicap and tour bus parking are also available. Break O'Day Farm In addition to the museum, seven original and relocated buildings on the property display Corson and Metcalfe family memorabilia. These artifacts interpret the life and times of the late artist. Buildings include the Metcalfe Home, a one-room Pioneer House, the historic Blue Goose Saloon (originally located in nearby Hamburg), a replicated Country Store, an Implement Barn, a Plow Shed, and the Carriage House. Metcalfe Home The Metcalfe Home began as a half dug out of native rock and grew to a one and a half story concrete edifice with an east wing. Built by Howard Metcalfe during the 1940's as a home for himself, his wife, Helen, and his mother, Augusta, it was occupied until 1999, when the last Metcalfe died. The East Room of the home is currently open to the public. This room houses a treasure trove of family memorabilia, including “hair flowers” created by Augusta's mother, Mary Corson; art supplies used by Augusta Metcalfe; family flintlock muskets from the 1820s; and the sea chests of the famous American explorer and surveyor George Davidson, Augusta's mentor and uncle. Metcalfe produced many of her greatest works inside the East Room and in the dug-out portion of this home. Planned renovations will eventually allow visitors to view the Metcalfe furniture and many other belongings, many of which date from the late nineteenth century. Education in Art, History, Culture and Nature Education groups of all ages are welcome at the Metcalfe. Preschool, elementary, high school and continuing education students of all ages can learn first hand about the visual arts by interactive tours that examine the works of Augusta Metcalfe and other gallery exhibitors. Students may paint, draw, sculpt, and work with other visual media with advance notice. The studio can accommodate up to thirty students. To schedule an educational tour and/or a studio work day, contact the Metcalfe at 580-655-4467. Educators may provide their own art instructors, or for an additional fee, the Metcalfe will provide an art instructor with advance notice. Students may also learn about agricultural history and Oklahoman pioneer history. The role of women in Western American history is strongly stressed in each tour. Interactive pioneer activities include old fashioned butter-making, clothes washing on a scrub board, and coffee grinding. Nature trails wind among the red sand hills along the Washita River where Augusta Metcalfe once rode on her horses Molly and Gypsy. These trails provide an opportunity to experience nature as it was during the territory years. Cat tails and wild flowers, sage brush and grass land, wild deer and turkey, are just some of the highlights often viewed during a traipse through the farm. Two trails are for casual hikers: the River Trail is .86 of a mile, while the Chicken House Trail is .36 of a mile. Guided interpretive tours are available with advanced notice. Please contact the Metcalfe for more information on scheduling a guided hike. Museum Shop The gift shop offers framed and individual prints, note cards, bookmarks and post cards by Augusta Metcalfe as well as other attractive items such as Frankhoma pottery, handmade jewelry, hand turned wooden implements, and Oklahoma books that represent the nature, art, culture and history of the high plains!
Hours The museum is open from Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 until 5:00. The museum will be closed from December 1st through February 29th. For more information on tours for children or adults please call the Museum at (580) 655-4467 or by E-mail! Volunteers Tour guides, collection and grounds work, and educational volunteers are always appreciated! If you are interested in assisting for long or short term duties, please call 580-655-4467 or e-mail metcalfe@dobsonteleco.com for info! Home | Collection | Contact | Direction | Exhibits/Events | Information | Links | Works |
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