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May 2025
Beginning Woodturning workshop
Learn the historic art of woodturning in a hands-on workshop at the Fort Towson Historic Site from Wednesday, May 14, through Friday, May 16. The workshop will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. each day. The classes will be led by members of the Southeast Oklahoma Woodturners. Classes will begin with an orientation to the parts of the lathe and using the tool safely. Lessons will quickly progress to mounting wood on the lathe for spindle work and introduction…
Find out more »Blacksmithing Demonstrations
On Saturdays, May 17, October 11, October 25, and November 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School will hold a Blacksmithing Demonstration in the blacksmith shop. Guests can enjoy watching the craftsmen work and have safe, hands-on experiences. Families are welcome to attend and watch the demonstrations inside the Blacksmith Shop on the grounds of the Cherokee Strip Museum. For more information about all of the activities planned, please call 580-336-2405. Free…
Find out more »History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip
Step back in time and experience life in the Cherokee Outlet during History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, a living history program at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. It takes place throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The five historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village, which are from the territorial days, come to life with living history interpreters dressed in period clothing from the…
Find out more »Victorian Tea and Etiquette program
Do you follow #MannersMonday on Hunter’s Home’s Facebook page? Have you ever wondered what constituted “proper” behavior in Victorian times? On Saturday, May 17, at Hunter’s Home, you are welcome to come and sip some tea (pinky up, of course), eat some period sweets, and learn what was expected of a well-bred Victorian. Everything will be prepared for you, so just bring your own self! If you want to come dressed in a period dress for the occasion, feel free…
Find out more »Luck is a Fortune: Adventure, Duty, and Buffalo on the 1841 Frontier book signing and discussion with author Dr. Robert Pickering
On Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m., the Fort Gibson Historic Site will host a book signing for the title Luck is a Fortune: Adventure, Duty, and Buffalo on the 1841 Frontier (2024) with author Dr. Robert Pickering.
Luck is a Fortune recounts the adventures and excursions of two soldiers living at an outpost in eastern Oklahoma in the 1840s. The title is derived from a note one of them scribbled in his diary – “luck is a fortune” – a fitting thought as life on the Plains meant death could come from any direction; one learned survival skills or faced death.
“This book is the result of an extraordinary coincidence,” Pickering said. “The University of Tulsa holds two diaries written by soldiers stationed at Fort Gibson in 1841. One was written by a young lieutenant who was a West Point graduate and the son of wealthy Southern planter family, while the other diary was written by a maker of hats in New York and probably an Irish immigrant – two very different people living on America’s westernmost outpost in 1841.”
The book signing will take place in the Fort Gibson Hospital Visitor Center located at 803 North Garrison Avenue, Fort Gibson.
Find out more »Wayne McCombs Classic, 1880s-era Baseball Game *postponed*
The 1880s-era Baseball Game previously scheduled for Saturday, May 17, has been postponed. The baseball diamond for the old-fashioned baseball game will be set up on the museum grounds. Bring your favorite lawn chair and experience the game as it was played before Oklahoma statehood! Warm-ups start at noon. Hot dogs, peanuts, CRACKER JACK®s, and lemonade will be available for purchase. The annual event is named for Claremore’s historian and avid baseball fan Wayne McCombs (1952–2023). If you want to…
Find out more »Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission meeting
The meeting of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at 1 p.m. Agendas will be posted at okhistory.org/commission twenty-four hours before the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated, meetings will be held in the Dr. LeRoy H. Fischer Boardroom at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, 73105.
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting *canceled*
The Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting previously scheduled for May 21, 2025, has been canceled. Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meetings are scheduled on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. However, Executive Committee meetings are not usually held on the months in which the full board meets. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at okhistory.org/BOARD. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma…
Find out more »AANHPI Collective History Day
Join us this May as we celebrate Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) National Heritage Month. To honor their contributions to Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Historical Society will host “AANHPI Collective History Day.” This event will be an evening of reflection and celebration, bringing together Oklahomans interested in exploring our state’s shared experiences of the AANHPI communities. It will feature a book signing, a panel discussion with authors and scholars specializing in the topic, and amazing cultural performances and…
Find out more »Cake with Kate: Kate Barnard 150th Anniversary Celebration
On Saturday, May 24, at 1 p.m., the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Historic Carnegie Library will host an Anniversary Celebration for Kate Barnard’s 150th birthday. Annette Wisk Jacobi, executive director of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, will be the guest speaker at the event. She will discuss her work for the commission and Barnard’s influence on her career. Birthday cake and refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Kate Barnard was the…
Find out more »History Day Camp
Fort Towson Historic Site will host History Day Camp for kids ages nine to 13 from Tuesday, May 27, through Thursday, May 29. The camp takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. During the three-day camp, young people can explore the site with physical and experiential learning activities that will encourage them to learn what life was like in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Historical interpreters will lead campers in hands-on activities such as archaeology, military drills,…
Find out more »History Day Camp
Fort Towson Historic Site will host History Day Camp for kids ages nine to 13 from Tuesday, May 27, through Thursday, May 29. The camp takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. During the three-day camp, young people can explore the site with physical and experiential learning activities that will encourage them to learn what life was like in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Historical interpreters will lead campers in hands-on activities such as archaeology, military drills,…
Find out more »History Day Camp
Fort Towson Historic Site will host History Day Camp for kids ages nine to 13 from Tuesday, May 27, through Thursday, May 29. The camp takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. During the three-day camp, young people can explore the site with physical and experiential learning activities that will encourage them to learn what life was like in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Historical interpreters will lead campers in hands-on activities such as archaeology, military drills,…
Find out more »Aces and Actors: Will Rogers’s Famous Friends exhibit opens
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum will open a new exhibit entitled Aces and Actors: Will Rogers’s Famous Friends on Friday, May 30, at 6 p.m. The exhibit will explore the actor’s vast connections to Hollywood and the then-fledgling aviation industry through a series of photographs that follow his film career and associations with pilots.
The exhibit begins with pilots and Will's love of adventure and flying. Will knew that air travel was the future and jumped at the chance to fly. He flew with early pioneering aviators like Wiley Post, Frank Hawks, Jocko Clark, and more.
In addition to being a newspaperman, a radio pundit, a humanitarian, and a philosopher, Will Rogers is possibly best known for his film career. Rogers began with silent films and was one of the few movie stars to successfully transition to talkies. He made more than 70 films during his career, which helped him gain international fame.
Find out more »Movie Night featuring The Sandlot (1993)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will show the movie The Sandlot (1993) at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore on Friday, May 30. Movie Night is a popular community event, offering a place for family and friends to connect on the last Friday of the month. The doors to the theatre open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy free admission, popcorn, and drinks while watching the film. Seating is limited, so…
Find out more »Inaugural Impressions exhibit closes
The Inaugural Impressions exhibit will close on May 31. The exhibit, located in the Sam Noble Gallery of the Oklahoma History Center explores the lives and contributions of Oklahoma’s first ladies and gentleman while their spouses served as governors. The exhibit will feature a variety of gowns from the Oklahoma Historical Society’s collections. Oklahoma’s first ladies and gentleman have always played a leading role in our history. Their professionalism and poise have increased the public’s awareness of worthy causes. From…
Find out more »Dutch Oven Gathering
The Fort Towson Historic Site will hold a Dutch Oven Gathering on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is FREE for participants and guests, and all are welcome to attend. The talents of local cast iron chefs will be displayed at the Fort Towson Historic Site, with each person setting up their outdoor kitchen and preparing delicious treats. The event will be a time for Dutch oven enthusiasts to gather together to fellowship, demonstrate Dutch oven…
Find out more »June 2025
Vintage Snack Sets exhibit opens
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home in Hominy will feature an exhibit of Vintage Snack Sets from Wednesday, June 4, to Saturday, June 28. When women in the mid-20th century hosted teas, coffees, or church socials, they would wear their “Sunday best” and bring out pretty snack sets that included a plate with a round indentation to hold the matching cup. This exhibit includes pieces by manufacturers such as Anchor Hocking, Hazel-Atlas, the Indiana Glass Company, Royal Windsor, Queen Anne,…
Find out more »Heritage Breed Poultry and Sheep Workshop
On Saturday, June 7, Hunter’s Home will hold a workshop that will teach guests how to care for heritage-breed turkeys and sheep. The workshop will also discuss the importance of heritage-breed animals to the continuation and health of their respective species. We will also discuss the history of bronze turkeys and Saxon Merino sheep. The guest will get to try a recipe from the nineteenth century using turkey meat from our turkeys! This will allow the guest to see the…
Find out more »History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip
Step back in time and experience life in the Cherokee Outlet during History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, a living history program at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. It takes place throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The five historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village, which are from the territorial days, come to life with living history interpreters dressed in period clothing from the…
Find out more »Night Tour of Fort Towson
The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a nighttime guided summer tour of the grounds on Saturday, June 7, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Staff will lead guests through parts of the expansive property in a rare chance for visitors to be on site after dark. Guests will follow a historian around parts of the site and learn more about the history of the post. The historian’s narration will expand beyond what can be read in the Museum’s exhibits and…
Find out more »OU Archaeological Field School at Spiro Mounds concludes
From Monday, May 12, through Friday, June 13, the University of Oklahoma students and faculty will perform a month of excavations at Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center. Visitors are welcome to observe the research and ask questions while the group works. Under the direction of Dr. Scott Hammerstedt, Dr. Amanda Regnier, and Dr. Patrick Livingood, students will be excavating areas of interest at the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center as the only pre-European contact site in Oklahoma. This is a great opportunity…
Find out more »Tattoos at the Museum: Part II
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is excited to offer Tattoos at the Museum: Part II on June 13 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. Visitors will once again have the opportunity to receive flash tattoos from one of the artists from Culture Tattoo in Enid, OK. Their artwork is part of the temporary exhibit A Body of Work: More Than Skin Deep, which is on display in the J. E. and L. E.…
Find out more »Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show
The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum celebrates Major Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie, his wife May Lillie, and their famous Wild West Shows each June. Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show is held at the original historic ranch site. Stagecoaches roll amid thundering horse hooves while the lightning of gunfire explodes around Pawnee Bill, May, and their cohorts as the talented performers thrill and amaze audiences. The theme for this year’s show will be “Pawnee Bill Honors Old Glory.” See…
Find out more »Quilting Workshop
The Quilting Workshop meets on the second Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Sod House Museum for $5 per person. Learn to create appliqué designs, traditional block patterns, original designs, crazy quilts, landscape designs, and paper piecing. New members of any skill level are always encouraged to attend! Share in the happy exchange of shared skills, fun, camaraderie, refreshments, discussions, quilt patterns, and old-fashioned bed turnings at the next quilting workshop. Proceeds directly fund Sod…
Find out more »“A Tale of Two Runs: The First and The Biggest” presentation with Madison Wilson
On Saturday, June 14, at 1 p.m., the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library will host a program on the Cherokee Outlet Opening. Guest speaker Madison Wilson, education director at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, will present a talk entitled “A Tale of Two Runs: The First and The Biggest.“ This event will explore the history of the Cherokee Outlet Opening in 1893 and provide context and information on the differences between the 1889 and 1893 land runs. A…
Find out more »“Sounds of the Prairie” summer concert
On Saturday, June 14, at 6 p.m., the Cherokee Strip Museum will host a special summer music concert entitled “Sounds of the Prairie” in the outdoor park area on the museum grounds. This free community event will feature Guthrie’s acclaimed Hunt Brothers Bluegrass Band. Families, friends, and music lovers of all ages are invited to enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music in a relaxed, open-air setting. The concert promises to deliver the high-energy, toe-tapping tunes that the Hunt Brothers…
Find out more »A Body of Work: More Than Skin Deep exhibit closes
A new exhibit titled A Body of Work: More Than Skin Deep will be on display at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in the Mabee Foundation Gallery from April 15 to June 15. This exhibit will showcase various forms of artwork created by local tattoo artists who are passionate about expressing their creativity through a diverse range of tattooing styles and mediums. A Body of Work includes paintings, drawings, beadwork, and other artistic forms that highlight the art of…
Find out more »Will’s Wild West Kids Camp
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum will hold its Will’s Wild West Kids Camp for children ages 7 to 12 from Monday, June 16, through Wednesday, June 18. On those days, the camp will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kids are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Children will learn about Will Rogers, cowboys, and what life was like in pre-statehood Oklahoma! Activities include games, 19th-century activities, crafts, nature programs, Cherokee storytelling, and a cowboy magician. A…
Find out more »Will’s Wild West Kids Camp
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum will hold its Will’s Wild West Kids Camp for children ages 7 to 12 from Monday, June 16, through Wednesday, June 18. On those days, the camp will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kids are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Children will learn about Will Rogers, cowboys, and what life was like in pre-statehood Oklahoma! Activities include games, 19th-century activities, crafts, nature programs, Cherokee storytelling, and a cowboy magician. A…
Find out more »Will’s Wild West Kids Camp
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum will hold its Will’s Wild West Kids Camp for children ages 7 to 12 from Monday, June 16, through Wednesday, June 18. On those days, the camp will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kids are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Children will learn about Will Rogers, cowboys, and what life was like in pre-statehood Oklahoma! Activities include games, 19th-century activities, crafts, nature programs, Cherokee storytelling, and a cowboy magician. A…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting
Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meetings are scheduled on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. However, Executive Committee meetings are not usually held on the months in which the full board meets. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at okhistory.org/BOARD. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105.
Find out more »Juneteenth program: “Black Lawmen in Indian Territory”
The Oklahoma Historical Society will commemorate Juneteenth with a free educational program at the Oklahoma History Center on Thursday, June 19. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the program starts at 6 p.m. Juneteenth is the celebration of emancipation following the U.S. Civil War. On June 19, 1865, U.S. Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed the end of slavery in Texas at Galveston. News of emancipation spread to the enslaved people of Indian Territory throughout that summer. Attendees will have the…
Find out more »Summer Sounds Concert featuring Oklahoma Swing
Join The Chisholm on the third Thursday of June for a free Summer Sounds Concert with Oklahoma Swing. On Thursday, June 19, plan to come early and enjoy dinner or dessert from a featured food truck beginning at 6 p.m., spread out your favorite blanket, set up a comfy lawn chair, and enjoy live music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Horizon Hill, the home of territorial governor A. J. Seay. The family-friendly event is free. For more information, contact…
Find out more »Basic Barn Quilt Workshop
The Chisholm in Kingfisher will hold a Basic Barn Quilt Workshop on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Barn quilts are square-shaped boards painted to resemble quilt blocks and then put on buildings. They have evolved into a rural development initiative to boost tourism in communities. Oklahoma State University Extension educator Lindy Hoel will lead the workshop. Each participant will complete a barn quilt to proudly display at home. Registration is required. Classes are limited to 24…
Find out more »History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip
Step back in time and experience life in the Cherokee Outlet during History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, a living history program at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. It takes place throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The five historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village, which are from the territorial days, come to life with living history interpreters dressed in period clothing from the…
Find out more »Summer Solstice Walks
Start your summer with a trip to Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center for a special guided tour on Saturday, June 21, one day after the summer solstice. Three walks will occur at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. Each walk will include one mile of easy walking and last about two hours. Learn the reasons for the mounds and how some are aligned to track the sun’s movement throughout the year. The 7 p.m. walk will allow the observation of…
Find out more »OkieTales Storytime Hour
Join the Oklahoma History Center Museum on select Mondays in June and July from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for OkieTales. Families will hear a live book reading before getting to experience history hands-on! After reading the story, kids can see, touch, and feel historical items related to the subject. Activities and crafts may also be included as an interactive way for young families to experience history at the museum. OkieTales will be held every Monday from June 23 to…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring Will Rogers in Doctor Bull (1933)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will show the movie Doctor Bull (1933) at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore on Friday, June 27. Movie Night is a popular community event, offering a place for family and friends to connect on the last Friday of the month. The doors to the theatre open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy free admission, popcorn, and drinks while watching the film. Seating is limited, so…
Find out more »Vintage Snack Sets exhibit closes
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home in Hominy will feature an exhibit of Vintage Snack Sets from Wednesday, June 4, to Saturday, June 28. When women in the mid-20th century hosted teas, coffees, or church socials, they would wear their “Sunday best” and bring out pretty snack sets that included a plate with a round indentation to hold the matching cup. This exhibit includes pieces by manufacturers such as Anchor Hocking, Hazel-Atlas, the Indiana Glass Company, Royal Windsor, Queen Anne,…
Find out more »