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January 2020
“From Gospel to Jazz and Beyond” Kilgen Organ performance featuring Tedde Gibson
The Oklahoma History Center is pleased to announce a Kilgen Organ series performance featuring organist Tedde Gibson. The theme will be “From Gospel to Jazz and Beyond.” This performance will be Monday, January 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers, and may be reserved by calling 405-522-0765. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tedde Gibson is of the few organists comfortable…
Find out more »Minerva Ross Murrell exhibits and programs end
During the month of January 2020, Hunter’s Home will present programming centered on the lady of the house, Minerva Ross Murrell. From January 7 to 11, programs will focus on medicine. Because Minerva suffered the effects of malaria for much of the last five years of her life, museum staff will discuss commonly prescribed treatments for the disease and medicines of the mid-1800s. Notes from the physician who cared for Minerva reveal that she received many of these treatments under…
Find out more »Movie Night
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a Movie Night in its theater on Friday, January 31, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy free popcorn and drinks while watching a film. Seating is limited, so early arrival is suggested. This event is free to attend thanks to sponsorship by the Bank of Commerce. Please call 918-341-0719 for more information.
Find out more »February 2020
Voices of Hunter’s Home: Enslaved People exhibit opens
Hunter’s Home in Park Hill will commemorate Black History Month with Voices of Hunter’s Home: Enslaved People. During the month of February, visitors will see exhibits featuring many of the people who lived and performed slave labor on the plantation, such as Susan, Ike, Nelson, Eliza, and many others who made their lives here in the years before the Civil War. The exhibits will highlight the level of skill shown by the enslaved people of Hunter’s Home, as well as take…
Find out more »Photographing the Plains: Farm Security Administration, 1935–1945 exhibit opens
From February 1 to May 30, 2020, the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher will host Photographing the Plains: Farm Security Administration, 1935–1945, a traveling exhibit from the Oklahoma History Center, curated by Curator of Exhibits Jim Meeks. This exhibit highlights a collection of black-and-white photographs taken by six Farm Security Administration (FSA) photographers who visited Oklahoma or photographed displaced Oklahomans looking for work during the Great Depression. Roy Stryker was hired in 1935 to head the Historical Section of the…
Find out more »Antique Doll exhibit opens
The Fred Drummond Home in Hominy will host an Antique Doll exhibit throughout the entire month of February. This exhibit will feature a wide array of German-made dolls, including dolls by Armand Marseille, Kestner, and Koppelsdorf. The exhibit will also include china, porcelain, and paper dolls. Along with the exhibit, visitors will learn about the history of various dolls. If you are a doll collector, an avid doll lover, or a mother or grandmother who has a special little girl…
Find out more »History Alive! living history experience
Step back in time and experience life on the Cherokee Strip during History Alive! at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) in Enid. On the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the historic buildings in the CSRHC’s Humphrey Heritage Village will come alive with reenactors tending their shops, working their trades, or socializing at the Village Church. Visitors can learn about different skills and trades of the time, or file their own…
Find out more »“The Buffalo Train Ride” presentation by author Desiree Morrison Webber
Author Desiree Morrison Webber will review her book The Buffalo Train Ride at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, at the Museum of the Western Prairie. This book explains how a plea from Comanche leader Quanah Parker to President Theodore Roosevelt opened the way to save the bison from near extinction. In 1907 fifteen buffalo from the Bronx Zoo boarded a train bound for a wildlife preserve in Oklahoma Territory. The Buffalo Train Ride received a positive review by School…
Find out more »History Alive! James Armistead Lafayette
The Oklahoma History Center is honored to present Colonial Williamsburg’s Stephen Seals in a portrayal of James Armistead Lafayette. Join us for this special presentation Thursday, February 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will take place in the Chesapeake Event Center. Admission is $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers. There is no reserved seating, so early arrival is recommended. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling 405-522-0765. James Armistead Lafayette was born…
Find out more »Water/Ways exhibit closes
Fort Towson Historic Site will host Water/Ways, a Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition, from December 17, 2019, to February 8, 2020. This exhibition is made possible by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities. Water is an important element in American culture. People are drawn to water for peace and contemplation. The sights and sounds of water make those who experience them feel connected to nature. Many faiths revere water as a sacred symbol. Authors and artists are inspired…
Find out more »Quilting workshop with Martha Ray
Visit the Sod House Museum southeast of Aline for a quilting workshop on Saturday. The workshop will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. with instructor Martha Ray, and the cost is $5 per person. For more information, please contact Director Renee Trindle at 580-463-2441 or sodhouse@okhistory.org.
Find out more »Basket Making workshop with Linda Lou Alexander
Fort Towson Historic Site is proud to present a Basket Making workshop on February 8, 2020. Instructor Linda Lou Alexander will teach participants the art of basket weaving in this hands-on workshop. Attendees even get to take home a completed basket! This program will start at 9 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m. with a potluck lunch. Pre-registration is required and the cost is $45 per person, which will cover all supplies to make your own basket. For more information you may contact Linda Lou…
Find out more »“American Bison: Past, Present, and Future” Brown Bag Luncheon Lecture by Dr. Jim Shaw
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid will host a free Brown Bag Luncheon Lecture on Wednesday, February 12, at noon. This month’s program will be “American Bison: Past, Present, and Future,” presented by Dr. Jim Shaw. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunches and learn something new! For more information please call 580-237-1907.
Find out more »Date Night
Explore the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center and Village after hours on Valentine’s Day—just you and your date! Inside the museum, you will find a special new exhibit opening, one-on-one activities and conversation starters for a memorable shared experience, finger foods, and a choice of romantic beverages. Then, explore the Village after dark and see our history from a whole new light. This is a can’t-miss, unique Valentine’s date night opportunity! Tickets are $50 a couple, going on sale January…
Find out more »History Alive! living history experience
Step back in time and experience life on the Cherokee Strip during History Alive! at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) in Enid. On the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the historic buildings in the CSRHC’s Humphrey Heritage Village will come alive with reenactors tending their shops, working their trades, or socializing at the Village Church. Visitors can learn about different skills and trades of the time, or file their own…
Find out more »Oklahoma African American Family Film Festival
The Oklahoma Historical Society’s Black Heritage Committee will present the Oklahoma African American Family Film Festival and workshop at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, February 15, from noon to 5 p.m. This event will include a presentation of videos, films and, raw, unedited footage documenting the history and culture of the African American experience in Oklahoma. The event will also feature Oklahoma filmmakers and films pertaining to the Sooner State. The festival is free and open to the public,…
Find out more »Water/Ways exhibit opens
The Museum of the Western Prairie will host Water/Ways, a Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition, from February 18 through April 11, 2020. This exhibition is made possible by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities. Water is an important element in American culture. People are drawn to water for peace and contemplation. The sights and sounds of water make those who experience them feel connected to nature. Many faiths revere water as a sacred symbol. Authors and artists are…
Find out more »Southeastern Beadwork class
Learn from Martha Berry, Cherokee National Treasure and nationally renowned beadwork artist, in this Southeastern Beadwork class at the Oklahoma History Center! This class will be held Saturday, February 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It includes all materials necessary to produce a pre-European contact Cherokee sun circle wall hanging. Open to participants eighteen or over, class size is limited and registration is required. The cost for the class is $150 for OHS members and $175 for nonmembers. Registration…
Find out more »Blacksmithing Demonstrations
Visit the Cherokee Strip Museum in Perry on the last Monday of each month for Blacksmithing Demonstrations in the blacksmith shop. The demonstrations will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy watching the craftsmen work and will have an opportunity for hands-on experiences. This educational event is free to attend, but donations are appreciated. For more information please call 580-336-2405.
Find out more »Movie Night
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a Movie Night in its theater on Friday, February 28, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy free popcorn and drinks while watching a film. Seating is limited, so early arrival is suggested. This event is free to attend thanks to sponsorship by the Bank of Commerce. Please call 918-341-0719 for more information.
Find out more »Voices of Hunter’s Home: Enslaved People exhibit closes
Hunter’s Home in Park Hill will commemorate Black History Month with Voices of Hunter’s Home: Enslaved People. During the month of February, visitors will see exhibits featuring many of the people who lived and performed slave labor on the plantation, such as Susan, Ike, Nelson, Eliza, and many others who made their lives here in the years before the Civil War. The exhibits will highlight the level of skill shown by the enslaved people of Hunter’s Home, as well as take a…
Find out more »Civil War Surgeon living history program
Listen to a firsthand account of a Union Civil War surgeon serving in Indian Territory at Honey Springs Battlefield on Saturday, February 29, starting at 1 p.m. Jason Harris, living history presenter and director of the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher, will provide a hands-on program about life in the field, Civil War medicine, treatment of soldiers, and care for refugees. On display will also be a number of medical instruments from the period. This will be a fun-filled educational…
Find out more »Antique Doll exhibit closes
The Fred Drummond Home in Hominy will host an Antique Doll exhibit throughout the entire month of February. This exhibit will feature a wide array of German-made dolls, including dolls by Armand Marseille, Kestner, and Koppelsdorf. The exhibit will also include china, porcelain, and paper dolls. Along with the exhibit, visitors will learn about the history of various dolls. If you are a doll collector, an avid doll lover, or a mother or grandmother who has a special little girl…
Find out more »March 2020
Women’s History Month gallery tour
On Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m. the Oklahoma History Center will celebrate Women’s History Month with a guided tour of the exhibit Until We Organize: The Struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment. Doctoral candidate and curator Chelsea Burroughs will speak about the Equal Rights Amendment debate in one of the most important states—Oklahoma—and why it never passed. The exhibit explores the role of women on both sides of the debate as well as the status of women in the…
Find out more »“When the Country Was New” Brown Bag Luncheon Lecture by Jenny Entsminger
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid will host a free Brown Bag Lecture Luncheon on Wednesday, March 11, at noon. This month’s program will be “When the Country Was New,” presented by Jenny Entsminger. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunches and learn something new! For more information please call 580-237-1907.
Find out more »Quilting workshop with Martha Ray
Visit the Sod House Museum southeast of Aline for a quilting workshop on Saturday. The workshop will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. with instructor Martha Ray, and the cost is $5 per person. For more information, please contact Director Renee Trindle at 580-463-2441 or sodhouse@okhistory.org.
Find out more »“Women During the Civil War” presentation by Kelly Houston
In honor of Women’s History Month, Honey Springs Battlefield will host “Women During the Civil War,” presented by Kelly Houston on Saturday, March 14, at 1 p.m. Kelly Houston is director of the Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City. Her presentation will include examples of items created and used by women during the Civil War Era. For more information regarding the presentation and Honey Springs Battlefield, please email honeysprings@okhistory.org or call 918-473-5572. Honey Springs Battlefield is located east of US…
Find out more »Oklahoma Farm-to-Table Family Festival
The Oklahoma History Center will hold the Oklahoma Farm-to-Table Family Festival on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will experience the rich agricultural heritage of America from colonial times to modern-day innovations with hands-on activities for all ages. This festival is free and open to the public! For more information, please call 405-522- If you would like to be one of our festival vendors, please complete the online application.
Find out more »“Freemasonry Among the Five Tribes” presentation by T. S. Akers
Honey Springs Battlefield will host T. S. Akers on Saturday, March 28, at 1 p.m. He will present “Freemasonry Among the Five Tribes,” which will explore the influences of Freemasonry upon the citizens of the Five Tribes after their removal to the Indian Territory. Akers is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and curator of collections for the McAlester Valley of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. For more information regarding the presentation and Honey Springs Battlefield,…
Find out more »Blacksmithing Demonstrations
Visit the Cherokee Strip Museum in Perry on the last Monday of each month for Blacksmithing Demonstrations in the blacksmith shop. The demonstrations will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy watching the craftsmen work and will have an opportunity for hands-on experiences. This educational event is free to attend, but donations are appreciated. For more information please call 580-336-2405.
Find out more »April 2020
Smithsonian magazine’s annual Museum Day
Multiple Oklahoma Historical Society museums and sites will participate in Smithsonian magazine's annual Museum Day on Saturday, April 4, 2020. On this day only, participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution's Washington, DC-based facilities, which offer free admission every day. Museum Day is a one-day event in which participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. Tickets will be available for download starting February…
Find out more »“The Civil War and Reconstruction in Indian Territory” presentation by Dr. Bradley R. Clampitt
Honey Springs Battlefield will host “The Civil War and Reconstruction in Indian Territory,” presented by Dr. Bradley R. Clampitt on Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. Dr. Clampitt is an associate professor and chair of the Department of History and Native American Studies at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He is author and editor of the book The Civil War and Reconstruction in Indian Territory. For more information regarding the presentation and Honey Springs Battlefield, please email honeysprings@okhistory.org or call…
Find out more »“Policing Our Borders: 19th-Century North American Immigration” Brown Bag Luncheon Lecture by Dr. Holly Karibo
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid will host a free Brown Bag Luncheon Lecture on Wednesday, April 8, at noon. This month’s program will be “Policing Our Borders: 19th Century North American Immigration,” presented by Dr. Holly Karibo. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunches and learn something new! For more information please call 580-237-1907.
Find out more »Water/Ways exhibit closes
The Museum of the Western Prairie will host Water/Ways, a Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition, from February 18 through April 11, 2020. This exhibition is made possible by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities. Water is an important element in American culture. People are drawn to water for peace and contemplation. The sights and sounds of water make those who experience them feel connected to nature. Many faiths revere water as a sacred symbol. Authors and artists are inspired…
Find out more »Quilting workshop with Martha Ray
Visit the Sod House Museum southeast of Aline for a quilting workshop on Saturday. The workshop will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. with instructor Martha Ray, and the cost is $5 per person. For more information, please contact Director Renee Trindle at 580-463-2441 or sodhouse@okhistory.org.
Find out more »Historic Preservation Review Committee Meeting
The Oklahoma Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), is pleased to announce the Oklahoma Historic Preservation Review Committee’s (HPRC) meeting schedule for calendar year 2020. The governor appoints the members of the HPRC to advise the SHPO about nominations to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and other preservation issues. Current HPRC members include Ron Frantz (architect, Oklahoma City); John Hartley (prehistoric archeologist, Norman); Shirley Ballard Nero (historian, Clearview); Jana Phillips (architectural historian, Stillwater); and, Charles Wallis (historical…
Find out more »Brush Calligraphy class
Learn basic brush and pen strokes to create beautiful pieces of art in the Oklahoma History Center's Brush Calligraphy class on Saturday, April 18. The class will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and the cost is $10 for OHS members and $20 for nonmembers. All materials are included and registration is required. This class is recommended for ages twelve and up. Registration opens on March 7 and closes on April 9.
Find out more »“Hello to Hollywood” Kilgen Organ performance featuring Rob Richards
The Oklahoma History Center is pleased to announce a Kilgen Organ series performance featuring Rob Richards (tentative). The theme will be “Hello to Hollywood.” This performance will be Monday, April 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers, and may be reserved by calling 405-522-0765. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find out more »Oklahoma History Conference
Join the OHS and our host, the City of Wagoner, at Sequoyah State Park April 22–24, 2020. The theme is "Connecting Cultures: Exploring the Three Forks." The Oklahoma Historical Society presents an annual conference in April. Each year the conference focuses on a different theme pertaining to Oklahoma history, preservation, and culture. Conference sessions are presented by historians, authors, and scholars from around the state and country. The conference also includes the annual meeting of the OHS membership. Optional activities…
Find out more »Oklahoma History Conference
Join the OHS and our host, the City of Wagoner, at Sequoyah State Park April 22–24, 2020. The theme is "Connecting Cultures: Exploring the Three Forks." The Oklahoma Historical Society presents an annual conference in April. Each year the conference focuses on a different theme pertaining to Oklahoma history, preservation, and culture. Conference sessions are presented by historians, authors, and scholars from around the state and country. The conference also includes the annual meeting of the OHS membership. Optional activities…
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