A Deep Dive on Will Rogers!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today is the birthday of the late and great, Will Rogers, a celebrated American Icon! To celebrate, I reached out to Jennifer Holt, the Curator of Collections at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum!

Will Rogers was one of the most beloved American entertainers of the early 20th century, known for his sharp wit, roping skills, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Born in 1879 in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, Rogers grew up on a ranch and became a world-class trick roper, once managing to throw three lassos at once; one around a horse’s neck, one around its rider, and one around all four of the horse’s legs. His talents carried him from Wild West shows to vaudeville, Broadway, and eventually Hollywood, where he became a star of both silent films and early talkies. Beyond performing, he wrote over 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns, making him one of the most widely read voices of his time.

Rogers appeared in more than 70 films, including “They Had to See Paris” (1929), his first sound picture, which introduced audiences to his folksy delivery that felt both humorous and honest. During the Great Depression, his humor offered comfort to struggling Americans, especially when he poked fun at politicians in a way that felt disarming rather than cruel. He once joked, “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts,” a line that still rings true for many today. He also hosted popular radio broadcasts, spoke at public events, and became such a trusted figure that presidential candidates often worried about what Rogers might say about them.

His life was tragically cut short in 1935 when he died in a plane crash in Alaska alongside aviator Wiley Post. The nation mourned deeply, and thousands attended his funeral. Just three years later, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum was built in Claremore, Oklahoma, where visitors can see his personal belongings, film posters, saddles, and even clips of his movies. His tomb is on the grounds, inscribed with his famous line, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” The museum remains a lasting tribute to both his humor and his humanity.

Even today, Rogers’ cultural impact endures. He was posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame for championing air travel, and he once traveled around the world in 1926, filing newspaper reports from every stop. His syndicated column reached an incredible 40 million readers at its peak, and he even earned an honorary mayor title in Beverly Hills. Beyond his achievements, people remember him for his kindness, humility, and ability to make serious issues feel approachable through humor.

Bonus Questions with Jennifer Holt:

Giancarlo: What is the most important thing most people don’t know about Will Rogers?

Jennifer Holt: That he was a proud member of the Cheroke Nation.

Giancarlo: What is the most unique or rare item in your collection, and what makes it significant?

Jennifer Holt: The typewriter he had with him when his plane crashed in Alaska.

Giancarlo: How does the museum decide which pieces go on display versus staying in storage?

Jennifer Holt: Ideally, we’d have a schedule and cycle pieces on and off exhibit.  Due to our current environmental issues and space concerns, we are unable to cycle our objects as we’d like.  After our renovations over the next two years, we’ll have a regular exhibition schedule for our objects.  At present, decisions are made as to whether a piece is related to the topic of a particular exhibit?  Is it too fragile for exhibition?  Is the gallery in question environmentally appropriate for that specific piece?  If the answers to these questions are satisfactory, then a piece may be exhibited.

Giancarlo: What programs or exhibits are you most excited about in the near future?

Jennifer Holt: Our collection manager, Dani Hendrickson, is currently working on a Will Rogers Highway exhibit for the Route 66 centennial next year.  It’s scheduled to open in March 2026.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Jennifer Holt: I’d say the best advice I’ve ever received is that to be a great communicator, one must be a great listener first.

The Museum: https://www.willrogers.com/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo