Relocating across state lines often requires newcomers to find inventive ways to connect with their new surroundings. For Iyshia Majors, a former resident of Los Angeles who recently established her home in Oklahoma, that introduction took the unique form of a full overnight stay inside one of the region’s premier historical institutions, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
Majors officially relocated to the area in February 2026 as a participant in the Tulsa Remote initiative. The targeted program was created to recruit and retain remote professionals from outside Oklahoma, providing incentives for talented workers to move their households, careers, and daily routines to the city of Tulsa.
Under the operational guidelines established by Tulsa Remote, candidates who are accepted into the initiative must fully commit to relocating to Tulsa. To support this transition and encourage long-term retention within the local community, each participating remote worker is awarded a $10,000 grant upon their arrival.
While settling into her new life, Majors took an active interest in exploring the geography and leisure offerings of her adopted home state. Her eventual overnight journey to the museum did not stem from an initial historical query, but rather emerged unexpectedly while she was conducting online research about local Oklahoma lakes.
During her internet browsing, an advertisement promoting the museum caught her eye by highlighting an upcoming late-night function. Intrigued by the unusual timing, Majors began clicking through the institution’s calendar of events and quickly became enthusiastic about participating in the rare after-hours gathering.
The function in question was an adult-oriented overnight gathering titled "Up Late with Will Rogers: An All-Nighter for Grown-ups." Organized and hosted directly by the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, the event offered adult participants an interactive, nocturnal setting to engage with state history in a non-traditional way.
Although the adult slumber party represented Majors' very first time visiting the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, the name and historical legacy of Will Rogers were already familiar to her. Prior to leaving Southern California, she had spent time visiting the Will Rogers State Historic Park situated in Pacific Palisades.
Discovering the Claremore memorial allowed Majors to bridge the geographic connection between California and Oklahoma. She recalled that seeing the institution in Claremore brought the historical narrative full circle, prompting the realization that the iconic entertainer, trick roper, and humorist was originally an Oklahoma native before achieving broader acclaim on the West Coast.
The overnight program offered attendees an immersive behind-the-scenes exploration of the facility that went well beyond standard daytime tours. Guests were given access to the museum after normal operating hours, providing a distinctive look into the institution's collections and historical preservation efforts.
In addition to after-hours tours, the itinerary featured an array of hands-on activities tailored to the heritage and skills associated with Rogers. Attendees spent time practicing traditional rope tricks, learning the steps of two-step dancing, and gathering together to make s'mores over the course of the long night.
The comprehensive programming gave participants a deeper appreciation for Rogers' life, personal history, and extensive career achievements. Following the conclusion of the event, Majors expressed strong praise for the gathering, noting that she was thoroughly impressed by both the legacy of Will Rogers and the overall historical heritage of Claremore.
The experience also served to alter Majors' initial preconceptions about the state of Oklahoma. She admitted that before moving across the country, she had envisioned the state to be far more rural, only to find that the area provided far more charm and cultural depth than she had anticipated.
Majors spoke highly of the local community, emphasizing that the warmth of the residents made a significant impression during her first few months of residency. She noted that people throughout the area have been remarkably kind and welcoming, creating an inviting environment that made her feel at home.
Tulsa itself has garnered substantial praise from the Los Angeles native, who characterized her new city as a "little big city" that maintains an ideal balance of urban resources and approachable local charm. The unique character of the area has reinforced her positive outlook on her decision to relocate.
Following her memorable overnight stay at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Majors intends to maintain her momentum of regional discovery. With her roots now firmly established in Oklahoma through the Tulsa Remote program, she looks forward to continuing her exploration of the history, towns, and attractions across her new home state.
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