The house, which is estimated to have been built in 1920, served as a private residence prior to becoming a museum, except when Coppola used it for the screen adaptation of Hinton's novel, circa 1982.

Two plaques commemorating the collaboration between Coppola and Hinton were installed, and restoration efforts extended to the now non-operational DX gas station featured in the film.

The museum, celebrated for its fan-driven design and extensive collection of memorabilia, has received praise from publications, solidifying its status as a significant cultural site.

[2] The house served as a private residence except for the time it became a set for the Curtis Brothers' home during the filming of the movie The Outsiders (1983) circa 1982.

[4] The film is notable for casting young actors before their rise to fame, which includes C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, and Diane Lane.

O'Connor, a lifelong fan of The Outsiders, suddenly remembered that he was in the town where the film was shot and asked a cab driver to take him on a tour of the locations and rediscovered the house.

[10] Part of the restoration efforts, the renovation team worked to make sure that the house looked as it did in the film, such as remaking the front door,[6] retaining fence damage,[1] and missing wood panels in windows.

[14] Aside from Howell, between its restoration and opening, other stars of the films that have visited include Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, and Matt Dillon.

[19] Also in 2023, a Tulsa edition of the Monopoly board game was made, where toy manufacturer Hasbro choose the museum as a landmark to be featured.

O'Connor explained that when he discovered that this additional slew of photos existed, he approached Moran, who he didn't know, and to his surprise she let him have the negatives so that he could develop them.

[21] On December 14, 2024, the 98th annual Tulsa Christmas Parade celebrated The Outsiders House Museum with its theme, "Stay Gold, Merry, and Bright," and O'Connor served as Grand Marshal.

[10] The collection includes over 500 editions of the book in various languages, Francis Ford Coppola's director chair, clothes worn by actors, a 1949 Plymouth Super Deluxe, etc.

It floors me.”[24] Kristi Eaton of Condé Nast Traveler magazine said that The Outsiders House Museum is a "worthy stop".