Harwelden Mansion, Tulsa

Perched on a hill overlooking the Arkansas River, just minutes from Tulsa’s Gathering Place, the Harwelden Mansion is one of the city’s most distinguished architectural gems. Built in 1923 by oilman and philanthropist Earl Palmer Harwell and his wife Mary, this grand 15,000-square-foot estate is a striking example of English Tudor style with Collegiate Gothic influences. The mansion, carriage house, and manicured gardens occupy a full city block, offering scenic views and a serene atmosphere.

Designed by the Kansas City firm Wight and Wight and built by Long Construction, Harwelden features ornate interiors by William A. Franch & Co. of Minneapolis, including carved paneling, decorative plaster ceilings, oriental carpets, and carefully selected furnishings. It was constructed during Tulsa’s golden era when the city flourished as the “Oil Capital of the World.”

After serving as the private residence of the Harwell family until the late 1960s, the mansion was donated to the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa. It housed the council’s headquarters from 1969 to 2012. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 2009, Harwelden stands today as both a historical landmark and a modern destination.

Now privately owned and restored by Teresa Knox in 2018, the mansion operates as an event center and luxury bed-and-breakfast. Available for private rentals seven days a week, Harwelden hosts weddings, corporate events, nonprofit galas, and overnight stays in its elegant suites-offering guests the rare chance to experience Tulsa's history in comfort and style.