Press Release
October 30, 2015
Contact: Robbin Davis
Pioneer Woman Museum, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 580-765-6108
rdavis@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/pioneerwoman
November Programs and Events at Pioneer Woman Museum
Ponca City, Okla. — November promises to be a very busy month at the Pioneer Woman Museum. "We have four programs and a new exhibit to share," said Director Robbin Davis. "This fall we've hosted a number of free programs and events for the public and we aren't done yet. Our book discussion group is going strong and has two books left in the series. Dr. Richter and Dr. Hightower are set to present their programs on the Hominy Indian football team as well as banking in Oklahoma and Walter Eskridge will be our instructor for a candle making class."
Dr. Sara Richter is currently the dean of the School of Liberal Arts and professor of English and previously presented her program "Wild Women of the West" at the museum in September. Her new program on the Hominy Indian football team surely will be as interesting. "Few people, including Oklahomans, know that the Hominy Indians football club played nationally during the 1920s. Athletics traditionally have been valued in traditional Native American life, so developing a professional football team made up of Native American athletes seemed like a natural step," said Dr. Richter. The program will be presented free of charge on Saturday, November 7, at 10 a.m.
Dr. Michael J. Hightower is a freelance historian and writer. He has written a number of books related to Oklahoma history and the banking industry. Dr. Hightower will discuss his books on Oklahoma banking and the craft of historical writing at the Pioneer Woman Museum on Saturday, November 14, at 1 p.m. "This is one of our areas of history that I don't think most people give a lot of thought, but it is so very interesting," said Davis.
And for those who like a more hands-on learning experience, a class on candle making will be offered on Wednesday, November 11, at 10 a.m. "Candle making is a very traditional craft that has been handed down from century to century. The instructor, Walter Eskridge, does an exceptional presentation on candle making and then walks the students through the three main types of candle making: rolling, dipping and pouring. Each student will take home one of each type that they will have made," said Director Davis. The cost is $20 per participant, which includes all supplies. Seating is limited so reservations are required.
"Bang the Drum Slowly" by Mark Harris is a novel not only about baseball but about the life lessons one finds in friendships. "'Bang the Drum Slowly' is the fourth book in the "Let's Talk About It, Oklahoma!" book discussion series that we've been hosting this fall at the museum. Dr. Patricia Loughlin will be the guest scholar for this book discussion on Saturday, November 14, at 10 a.m.," said Davis. Books are free and available for checkout at the museum. Prereading the book is not a requirement to participate in the book discussion.
In addition to these programs, the museum opened a new exhibit, "Lethal to Ingest," which takes a look at patent medicine and the medical quackery that was rampant in society before regulatory standardization. "It's truly amazing and a bit mystifying to see all of these tonics and potions and what they were supposed to cure. But it was what people knew and trusted at the time. Thank goodness we've learned a few things since then," said Davis. The eye-opening exhibit has been up for about a month and so far the reactions to the exhibit have been fun to see. "We've talked with a number of folks that have stories to tell on their parents and grandparents," said Davis.
The fall lecture series and the "Let's Talk About It, Oklahoma!" book discussion series have all been underwritten through grants made by the Oklahoma Humanities Council. "The humanities are so important to our intellectual and community growth and we are proud to be able to partner with the Oklahoma Humanities Council to make the programs available for free to the public," said Davis.
For more information about any of the programs and events hosted by the Pioneer Woman Museum, contact the museum at 580-765-6108, piown@okhistory.org or visit its Facebook page.
The Pioneer Woman Museum, a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society, is located at 701 Monument Rd. in Ponca City. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains 31 museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The mission of the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. OHC is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, we strive to stimulate discussion, to encourage new perspectives, and to actively engage people in the humanities disciplines, such as history, literature, philosophy and ethics.
