Thomas-Foreman Historic Home
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  • Location
  • History
    • Death of Judge Thomas at McAlester
    • Obituary of Judge Thomas
    • Funeral of Judge Thomas
    • Judge Thomas and the American Navy
    • Thomas Pressley
  • A Little About Us
  • 2011 Restoration
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Judge John R. Thomas
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John R. Thomas, Jr.
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Carolyn Thomas-Foreman
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Grant Foreman

1419 West Okmulgee 
Muskogee, Oklahoma 74401
​(918) 686-6624                           

Located on the south east corner of 15th street and West Okmulgee.

***Important Notice***

Due to Covid-19, the home is Closed temporarily.
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 Our first priority is the health and safety of our supporters, community, volunteers and staff. We want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at (918) 686-6624.
From all of us, we thank you and look forward to seeing you soon.



When we are open:​
Admission: $3, under age 6 free.
Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more with reservation.
Private tours available by appointment at 918-686-6624
Donations are graciously accepted

Take a brief tour with us


We want to Thank You for your generous support and for continuing to help us preserve and operate this beautiful historic home. 
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 Please send your check or call to pay by credit card to:
Three Rivers Museum
220 Elgin st
Muskogee, OK 74401
918-686-6624
Please specify for the Thomas-Foreman Home.


A Bit of History

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In 1897 Judge John Robert Thomas was appointed Federal District Judge At Large to Muskogee Indian Territory by his friend and classmate President William McKinley.  Soon after, Judge Thomas, a former Illinois Congressman and his daughter Carolyn moved to Muskogee settling at the Adams House Hotel.
Looking for a site on which to build a home, he conferred with his friend Chief Pleasant Porter. The Chief offered to sell him an area 300 feet by 300 feet in the Porter Pasture which extended from Division street (7th street today) to Agency Hill (site of the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center.) The lot was located on the road to Okmulgee, just over the crest of the hill west of Okmulgee Avenue.  Porter and Clarence Turner had donated an area bounded by Kendall Avenue (12th street) and 14th street, Boston street, and Elgin street to the Presbyterian Church for Henry Kendall College. There were no other buildings in the area with the exception of a small log cabin nearby.  There were no trees, just grass.
On this property, the Judge built his home, dug a 14 foot deep cistern, and planted 350 fruit and shade trees.  Time has taken its toll on the trees of course, however a northern red oak still stands in the northwest corner of the yard.  Carolyn picked up several acorns in California and on return from her wedding trip in 1905, planted them, and watched them thrive and grow for more than 60 years.  The well and its unique pump still survive.
The home is the same today as it was in 1967. 


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(c) 2020      
Thomas-Foreman Historic Home 
Three Rivers Museum