New Leader Named for Historic Fort Gibson
Kathy Dickson (405) 522-5231
or David Fowler (918) 478-4088
12/05/12
Fort Gibson, OK
For Immediate Release
After thirty years of service with the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS), Chris Morgan retired from his position as director of the Fort Gibson Historic Site at the end of September. With Morgan’s retirement, David Fowler, director of the George Murrell Home in Park Hill, was asked to temporarily expand his duties to oversee operations at Fort Gibson as well.
“With the change of personnel we decided to take a step back and look at our operations to make certain we were making the best possible use of our resources,“ noted Kathy Dickson, director of museums and historic sites division at the OHS. “As a result, Fowler’s role was made permanent and expanded to serve as the director for the George Murrell Home, Fort Gibson, and Cabin Creek, a Civil War battlefield near Vinita,” continued Dickson.
The OHS will be working toward hiring an additional interpreter at the Murrell Home to assist with staffing at that location since Fowler’s new duties will require more travel.
Fowler is a graduate of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation and has an extensive background in American Indian history and historical interpretation, with emphasis on the Cherokees and their removal to Indian Territory. Fowler began his OHS career in 2001 as an interpreter at Fort Gibson, but prior to being employed at the site, he volunteered many hours helping to present programs. In 1999 he founded the 6th Infantry Living History Association which helps with living history programs at the fort. Fowler is also is a charter member of the USS Batfish Association. The members present public programs at this World War II submarine in Muskogee.
In July 2009 Fowler moved to Park Hill to serve as the director of the Murrell Home, Oklahoma’s only surviving plantation-style, antebellum home.
Fowler was responsible for the development of the very successful Civil War Teacher’s Institute that has been held the past two summers with the help of the Friends of the Murrell Home and with the financial support of the Oklahoma Humanities Council.
“I am looking forward to the challenges of the new position,” stated Fowler. “My first two priorities are moving forward with the restoration work on the stockade and building a closer relationship with the community.”
“David is the kind of leader who will help the Oklahoma Historical Society be more effective,” said Dr. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the OHS. “He is creative, dedicated, and willing to work with other groups and organizations who share our passion for Historic Fort Gibson and the regional history of Muskogee, the Creek and Cherokee nations, and the Indian Territory.”
