Glenn Shirley Posing with his Collection, ca. 1950 RC2006.068.2.00001

Shirley once commented, "Studying law taught me mainly where and how to find the law, how to do research and find the facts." Often focusing his biographical works on outlaws and lawmen, he sought to separate facts from fiction through extensive use of original documents such as court records, government documents and contemporary newspapers.

When Shirley began writing, he also began collecting--a pursuit that eventually led to the purchase of a second home for use as an archive/library work space. Once filling a four bedroom house to the brim, this collection includes over 6,400 books, more than 2,900 Western pulp novels, over 1,900 pulp fiction issues, more than 2,600 pieces of sheet music, over 3,200 dime novels and weeklies, greater than 16,800 photographs and negatives and in excess of 10,700 movie posters, lobby cards and inserts.

Numerous research files, meticulously organized in 30 file cabinets, contain information on a multitude of subjects, including law enforcement in the West, general Western history, Oklahoma history and Western historical figures. Interestingly, Shirley paid ample attention to both factual and popularized visions of the West in his collecting. This exhibit presents the debut of the Glenn D. Shirley Western Americana Collection in conjunction with a behind the scenes look at the museum's collection process.

From there to here
The acquisition of such a large and diverse collection requires many hours of planning and preparation. Work began when the collection was first viewed and videotaped in fall of 2005. More detailed work followed in the spring of 2006, when an exhaustive inventory was compiled. From the inventory, the needs for packing were determined and supplies purchased. Several more weeks were spent packing, an effort which yielded nearly 400 boxes. In a collective effort by museum staff, these materials were secured to pallets and transported to the museum in moving trucks over the course of two days.

Work is just beginning here at the museum. Objects are being systematically unpacked and treated in a carbon dioxide chamber to ensure they are pest free. Following treatment, items will be cataloged and paper materials re-housed in acid free, archival quality containers. Researchers will soon gain access to a newfound wealth of information as processing continues and visitors can expect the appearance of a myriad of rare and interesting artifacts in gallery exhibits.