A new road trip destination in central Oklahoma focuses on the history of the domestic pigeon and its contributions to mankind for thousands of years.

The Oklahoman reports that the American Pigeon Museum and Library in northeast Oklahoma City contains numerous photographs, paintings, trophies, artifacts, collectibles and much more memorabilia.

Pigeons were considered among the fastest way to send messages until the telegraph was invented. They played a tremendous role in both world wars, and they are still a way to send an undetectable message.

Lorrie Monteiro, the museum's curator, says that in the U.S., pigeons have a negative reputation. But Monteiro says pigeons and doves are part of the same family of birds.

Pigeons come in almost 1,000 different breeds with varying types of feathers, sizes and colours.