Fort Gibson Historic Site staff are ready for our annual winter tradition- Gingerbread Bake Day! On Saturday, December 19, the site’s head baker will be working with our 1860s bake oven to churn out giant gingerbread cookies for visitors to decorate in 19th-century style. Our decoration stations will be set up in the pre-Civil War Commissary and will include a variety of sweet treats available to folks in the 1800s, such as cherry licorice laces, spice drops, peppermint medallions, and candied chocolate.

We ask for your patience during the baking process, as we are baking in an oven dating to the 1860s. While it is a large oven, it is still quite old and is powered by wood fire. Few things happened quickly on 19th-century posts, and baking in our oven is no exception. This program offers a leisurely time for guests to enjoy with their families. We hope you will come enjoy it with us!

Cookies go on sale from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. or while supplies last. They can be purchased to decorate on site or in take-home kits, both for $7. This event is first-come, first-served, and we are unable to hold supplies. Batches come out of the oven every half hour or so, and the Bakehouse will be closed to the public until the last batch goes in (around 2:00 p.m.) to maintain oven temperature.

Take-home kits include a gingerbread cookie and all supplies found at the decoration station, except the frosting. Take-home kits will be sold at the 1870s Hospital Visitor Center, located at 803 N Garrison Ave, Fort Gibson, OK 74434, as long as supplies last.

Cookies to be decorated on-site will be sold at the Commissary located at 907 N Garrison Ave, Fort Gibson. All supplies at the decoration stations are included in the purchase price. The Commissary and 1870s hospital are located on the same block and bookend the magazine and 1860s Bakehouse.