Will Rogers Museum opens ‘Aces and Actors’ exhibit with rare Disney art

A new exhibit at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum is highlighting the Oklahoma icon’s ties to aviation pioneers and Golden Age movie stars.

“Aces and Actors: Will Rogers’ Famous Friends” opens Friday, May 30, with a special event at 6 p.m. The exhibit explores Rogers’ personal and professional relationships with early aviators, vaudeville performers and Hollywood celebrities — including Walt Disney, who once animated Rogers alongside Mickey Mouse.

A look at Rogers’ legendary circle

The exhibit offers a rare glimpse into the star-studded social life of Will Rogers, who rose from Wild West performer to the nation’s top box office draw in the 1930s. Museum visitors will learn about his connections with actors like Tom Mix, Shirley Temple and Sterling Holloway, the voice of Winnie the Pooh.

It also highlights his friendships with pioneering Black performers like Hattie McDaniel, who became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award, and Billie Burke, best known as Glinda the Good Witch.

Rare Disney sketches on display

One of the centerpieces of the exhibit is a set of original pencil sketches from the 1933 cartoon “Mickey’s Gala Premier,” where Disney featured Will Rogers as a character. The delicate artwork will only be available for public viewing through Thursday, June 13, due to preservation concerns.

Rogers and the spirit of flight

Alongside the Hollywood glamour, the exhibit honors Rogers’ adventurous spirit and love of aviation. He frequently flew with early aviation legends like Wiley Post and Frank Hawks and championed the future of air travel.

His contributions to aviation awareness — and his fatal flight with Wiley Post in 1935 — helped cement his image as a man of both charm and courage.

Free movie night adds to the celebration

The exhibit’s opening night coincides with the museum’s monthly movie night. Visitors can enjoy the new display and stay for a 7 p.m. screening of the baseball classic “The Sandlot.” Admission and popcorn are free, courtesy of sponsor Bank of Commerce.

Plan your visit

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is located at 1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore. For more details, visit willrogers.com or call 918-341-0719.

The museum is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, which preserves and shares the state’s rich cultural history.