THE BARTLESVILLE AREA HISTORY MUSEUM was established in 1965 to ensure the collection, preservation, and exhibition of the rich and varied history of Bartlesville and the surrounding areas. A collection of artifacts, historical objects, photographs, art illustrations, and files that focused on the development of these communities were obtained. Since then, the Museum has continued to collect and display items related to area history. Today, the Museum collection includes thousands of photographs, artifacts, and documents that tell the story of Bartlesville and surrounding areas—the first glass bottle made in Oklahoma was produced by the Great Western Glass Factory, bricks engraved with "Bartlesville, I.T." paved the roads of the early community; a piece of casing from the Nellie Johnstone No. 1 recalls the oil boom; a cowboy hat worn by an attendee of the famous Cowtheives and Outlaws Reunion at Woolaroc—these and many more artifacts and documents represent more than 100 years of history. Of special interest is the Museum's photographic collection that includes thousands of photographs from photographer, Frank Griggs. Griggs, who came to the area in 1908, captured half a century of growth and development of the community through his camera lens. Bartlesville is fortunate to have such extensive documentation of area growth through photographs as well as through other items.