Bartlesville is preparing to welcome The Wall That Heals as the traveling exhibit arrives in the city May 5, marking the beginning of a four‑day public display honoring Vietnam veterans and their families. The exhibit, hosted by Phillips 66, features a three‑quarter‑scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., along with a mobile Education Center. Bartlesville is one of only two Oklahoma communities included on the 2026 national tour.
Mayor Jim Curd said the exhibit’s arrival offers the community a meaningful opportunity to honor those who served.
“Being chosen as a host community is a profound privilege,” Mayor Curd said. “This exhibit allows us to honor the men and women who served, and especially the Washington County heroes whose names appear on the memorial. We are grateful for the opportunity to welcome The Wall That Heals and to provide a place for reflection, remembrance and healing.”
The exhibit will arrive at 1 p.m. May 5 with an escort of motorcycles and emergency vehicles traveling from the Copan Truck Stop south on Highway 75 to Adams Boulevard and then to Lee Lake Park, 2200 SE Adams Blvd. Residents are encouraged to line the route to welcome the procession into the city.
Following its arrival, the exhibit will be set up on May 6 and will open to the public May 7–10 at Lee Lake Park.
Several ceremonies will take place throughout the event, including a Welcome Home Ceremony at 6 p.m. May 7, a Light the Night Ceremony at 8:45 p.m. May 8, and a closing ceremony at 1:45 p.m. May 10. “Taps” will be played at dusk each evening May 6–9. The exhibit will close at 2 p.m. May 10.
Washington County lost 22 service members in the Vietnam War. Eleven of those — Bartlesville residents — will be featured in the exhibit’s Hometown Heroes display, which pairs photos with the names engraved on the memorial.
The Wall That Heals includes a 375‑foot‑long, 7.5‑foot‑tall replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, engraved with the names of 58,281 fallen service members. Constructed in a chevron shape like the original, the memorial allows visitors to walk toward the apex where the beginning and end of the conflict meet. The 140 engraved panels are illuminated for day‑and‑night viewing, and visitors may make name rubbings.
The accompanying 53‑foot mobile Education Center features a timeline of The War and The Wall, displays of items left at the memorial in Washington, D.C., and educational materials that help visitors understand the history and impact of the Vietnam War.
Since its debut in 1996, The Wall That Heals has visited more than 800 communities, bringing the memorial’s healing legacy to millions of Americans.
For more information or to volunteer, visit The Wall That Heals website.