Historian Led Greenwood Historical Tours in Tulsa
Conference attendees explored the history and resilience of Tulsa's historic Greenwood district.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in African-American
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Historian Kode Ransom conducted two walking tours of the Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa for attendees of the Aspen Ideas: Economy conference. The tours highlighted the history of Black Wall Street and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Why it matters
The tours offered visitors an opportunity to learn about the resilience of the local community and the significance of the district's history. Participants gained insights into tribal sovereignty and the legacy of local business owners like Loula Williams.
Historian Kode Ransom led 2 distinct tours of the Greenwood district on Tuesday. These sessions centered on historical markers placed along the sidewalks to identify businesses destroyed during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
The players
Kode Ransom
He is a historian who leads tours focused on the history of the Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa.
Loula Williams
She was a prominent business owner in the Greenwood district whose legacy remains a subject of historical study.
Harold Pettigrew
He is a resident whose family history includes the death of a relative in North Carolina in 1912.
The details
Walking through the neighborhood, visitors viewed sidewalk plaques that identify the original locations of businesses that once thrived in the area. The guide shared personal ancestral knowledge, providing depth to the historical context regarding events from 1921 and earlier occurrences, such as the 1912 death of a relative of Harold Pettigrew in North Carolina.
Timeline
1912: A relative of Harold Pettigrew was killed in North Carolina.
1921: The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred in the Greenwood district.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026: Kode Ransom led two historical walking tours through the neighborhood.
Culture Shift
This educational initiative follows the established pattern of using the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre as a foundational pillar for modern historical reckoning and public discourse. These tours reflect a broader shift toward community-led narratives that prioritize ancestral knowledge and local history over traditional institutional accounts.
Residents and visitors can engage with the history of the area by observing the sidewalk plaques that mark the sites of former businesses. These markers provide a self-guided way for the public to learn about the district's past and the resilience of its business community.
The takeaway
Understanding the history of Greenwood requires looking beyond general narratives to the specific experiences of families and business owners. Visitors to the area are encouraged to engage with the physical markers and educational tours to appreciate the depth of the district's resilience.
Further reading
Learn more about the historical significance of the district by visiting the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tulsa Flyer.
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