Relocating across the country often involves discovering unfamiliar landmarks, but for one recent California arrival, getting acquainted with Oklahoma history meant spending the entire night inside a renowned cultural institution. Iyshia Majors, a former Los Angeles resident who recently established her new home in Tulsa, took part in an overnight immersion at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, transforming a unique weekend sleepover into an educational introduction to the region's storied past.
The museum hosted a specialized gathering titled "Up Late with Will Rogers: An All-Nighter for Grown-ups." The program invited adult participants to spend an entire night exploring the facility outside of traditional operating hours, offering a distinct combination of historical exploration, hands-on heritage activities, and overnight accommodations arranged directly inside the memorial.
Majors' participation in the overnight gathering represents a broader chapter in her relocation journey that began earlier in the year. In February 2026, she completed a major interstate move from the sprawling metropolitan area of Los Angeles to the city of Tulsa, choosing to settle in northeastern Oklahoma through a dedicated talent recruitment initiative.
Her move was facilitated by the Tulsa Remote program, an initiative structured to attract and retain remote workers from outside Oklahoma to relocate to Tulsa. Under the guidelines established by the program, accepted applicants agree to move to the city and establish their residence there, receiving a $10,000 financial grant to support their transition into the local community.
Although Majors has spent several months acclimating to her new surroundings in Tulsa, her introduction to the Claremore museum sleepover happened entirely by accident. While conducting internet research to explore nearby Oklahoma lakes and outdoor destinations, she encountered an online promotional advertisement highlighting the museum's upcoming late-night offering.
Intrigued by the idea of an after-hours museum gathering, Majors clicked through the promotional material to review the scheduled activities. The prospect of an all-night event immediately generated excitement, prompting her to register for what would mark her very first personal visit to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
Even though the Claremore facility was new to her, the historical figure commemorated there was already part of her personal frame of reference. Prior to leaving the West Coast, Majors had visited the Will Rogers State Historic Park located in Pacific Palisades, California, giving her an initial familiarity with the famed American icon.
Seeing the Oklahoma memorial online helped Majors connect the historical dots between her past experiences in California and her new environment in Oklahoma. She recalled recognizing that the celebrated humorist and entertainer originally hailed from Oklahoma, making the opportunity to visit his home-state memorial feel like a natural full-circle moment.
Once inside the Claremore facility for the overnight program, Majors joined other attendees for an extensive itinerary that went well beyond conventional museum tours. The event granted participants special access to explore behind-the-scenes areas of the facility that are typically not accessible during normal daytime operating hours.
Throughout the night, participants engaged in a variety of traditional Western cultural pastimes. Attendees received direct instruction in mastering the mechanics of rope tricks and spent time practicing the rhythmic steps of country two-step dancing, blending physical activity with cultural appreciation.
In addition to the interactive lessons, the sleepover incorporated classic overnight social activities, including making s'mores. The gathering simultaneously functioned as an educational deep dive, teaching guests extensive details about the life, career, personal achievements, and enduring historical legacy of Will Rogers.
Reflecting on the all-night experience, Majors shared that the event thoroughly impressed her from start to finish. She noted that she developed a deep appreciation not only for the comprehensive life story of Will Rogers, but also for the broader historical background and distinct character of Claremore itself.
Her enthusiastic response to the museum gathering mirrors her overall transition to living in Oklahoma, which has significantly exceeded her initial expectations. Prior to her arrival, Majors had anticipated that the state would be substantially more rural than what she actually encountered upon settling into the region.
Instead, Majors discovered a welcoming environment marked by hospitality and community charm. She noted that the local residents have been exceptionally kind, expressing a genuine love for Oklahomans and describing Tulsa as an appealing "little big city" that offers remarkable character and charm for new transplants.
Having successfully completed her first overnight museum excursion, Majors views the Claremore sleepover as an encouraging milestone in her relocation. As she continues to adjust to life as an Oklahoman, she looks forward to embarking on further travels to discover more historic sites, attractions, and landscapes across her adopted home state.
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