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July 2025
Night Artillery Firing at Fort Towson
Experience the drama of a night artillery firing of Fort Towson’s Mountain Howitzer on Saturday, July 12 from 7:45 to 9 p.m. The program will start with a boom, with a daylight firing at 7:45 p.m., to be followed by a talk about the artillery piece. A second firing will occur at twilight, and a third will happen after dark. For more information, call 580-873-2634 or email fttowson@history.ok.gov. The Fort Towson Historic Site is located at 896 N. 4375 Rd. in…
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 »USCIS Naturalization Ceremony
On Tuesday, July 15, at 10 a.m., the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will host a naturalization ceremony at the Oklahoma History Center. Eligible candidates across Oklahoma will take the Oath of Allegiance, the final step to becoming a US citizen. The Oklahoma Historical Society Multicultural Office (OHSMO) is partnering with the USCIS to co-host the ceremony. The OHSMO aims to develop programs and outreach initiatives to tell the story of Oklahoma’s diverse heritage and give voice to these historically underrepresented…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting *canceled*
The Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting previously scheduled for July 16 has been canceled. 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 »Historic Preservation Review Committee Meeting
The Historic Preservation Review Committee (HPRC) regular quarterly meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17. The HPRC will meet in the Leroy H. Fischer Boardroom, Oklahoma History Center (third floor), located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK. The public is invited to attend. (NOTE: If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation, please contact Lynda Ozan at 405-522-4484 or lynda.ozan@history.ok.gov by noon on Wednesday, July 16). Additionally, the meetings will also…
Find out more »Summer Sounds Concert featuring the Jimmy Lee Jordan Band
Join The Chisholm on the third Thursday of July for a free Summer Sounds Concert with the Jimmy Lee Jordan Band. On Thursday, July 17, 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…
Find out more »Honey Springs Battlefield Memorial Service
Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m., to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. This year’s event will include remarks from OHS Executive Director Trait Thompson and a presentation by Dr. Matthew Pearce, state historian for the OHS. There will also be an artillery salute, and much more! See the full schedule below. The service commemorates the largest of approximately 107 documented Civil War military…
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 »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 »Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting
The Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors meetings occur on the fourth Wednesday of the first month of each quarter at 1:30 p.m., with the exception of the May meeting. 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 »Movie Night featuring Casablanca (1942)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will show the movie Casablanca (1932) at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore on Friday, July 25. 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 early…
Find out more »Parlor Jams with Wayne Cantwell
On the last Saturday of June, July, August, September, and October, from 1 to 3 p.m., The Chisholm will present a series of jam sessions in the parlor room of Horizon Hill, the home of Territorial Governor A. J. Seay. Wayne Cantwell, “the Flyin’ Fiddler,” will lead an old-fashioned jam session in the parlor of Horizon Hill. Musicians of all levels are encouraged to participate in this excellent learning opportunity to sit and play alongside seasoned performers! New players are…
Find out more »Night at the Museum Open House at Oklahoma History Center Museum
On Wednesday, July 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will hold a special after-hours experience called “Night at the Museum.” This family-friendly event will bring the museum to life, allowing guests to explore the galleries outside of regular hours with additional crafts, activities, and living history presenters. The Oklahoma History Center is a 215,000-square-foot learning center exploring Oklahoma’s unique history of Native culture, pioneers, aviation, commerce, and more. Visitors experience Smithsonian-quality exhibits that bring to life…
Find out more »August 2025
First Friday OKPOP-IN
The OKPOP Museum will host a “First Friday” event each month. The public is invited to an evening of music, pop culture, and behind-the-scenes access, offering an exclusive look inside the future of OKPOP with behind-the-scenes tours of the museum! Whether you’re a longtime pop culture fan or just curious about what’s coming to OKPOP, this is your chance to be part of something exciting. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public! OKPOP is located at 422…
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 »Belle Starr: The Truth Behind the Wild West Legend book signing and discussion with Michael Wallis
The Oklahoma History Center Museum will host a free discussion and book signing with Michael Wallis for his new book Belle Starr: The Truth Behind the Wild West Legend (2025, Liveright Publishing) on Saturday, August 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. Ken Busby will moderate the discussion. Belle Starr, born as Myra Maybelle Shirley in 1848, was known as “the Bandit Queen.” She was linked to outlaws throughout her life and is now considered one of the most infamous female…
Find out more »Teacher Resource Social
The 2025 Teacher Resource Social will be held at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City on Thursday, August 7, from 3 to 5 p.m. Educators, get ready for resources galore! We will have door prize giveaways and plenty of free resources from museums and organizations around the state to help you plan for the upcoming school year. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please note that registration information may be shared with Teacher Resource…
Find out more »Museum After Dark: “Memories of Injustice” lecture with historian and educator Sam Mihara
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is proud to host guest speaker, historian, and educator Sam Mihara at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, August 8, as part of the center’s Museum After Dark series. Mihara will deliver his lecture “Memories of Injustice” about the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II and his personal experiences as a prisoner at a US relocation camp near Heart Mountain, Wyoming. When he was…
Find out more »Lunch and Learn: “The Battle of Turkey Springs”
On Tuesday, August 12, at noon Central Time, the State Historic Preservation Office will host a free Lunch and Learn webinar on “The Battle of Turkey Springs.” Register for the webinar. In the 1878 Battle of Turkey Springs, a band of Northern Cheyenne, escaping starvation and illness at their assigned reservation in the Fort Reno vicinity, rebuffed the US Cavalry, who had been sent to return them to the reservation. The Battle of Turkey Springs is notable as the last…
Find out more »Wreath laying and flyover
To commemorate the death of Will Rogers, commonly referred to as Oklahoma’s Favorite Son, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host a wreath-laying at the tomb on Friday, August 15, at noon. A flyover by volunteer docent and pilot Tom Egbert will conclude the event. Will Rogers and pilot Wiley Post were killed in a plane crash on August 15, 1935, in Point Barrow, Alaska. Upon hearing the news, then-president Franklin Roosevelt said, “I was shocked to hear of 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 »“The Cherokee Nation and the Civil War” program with David Fowler
On Saturday, August 16, at 1 p.m., the Honey Springs Battlefield will host a program on “The Cherokee Nation and the Civil War.” David Fowler, OHS regional director of the museums and historic sites division, will lead this program.
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 »Summer Sounds Concert with Travis Kidd
Join The Chisholm for a free Summer Sounds Concert with Oklahoma singer/songwriter Travis Kidd on the third Thursday of August. Plan to come early and enjoy dinner 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 the museum at 405-375-5176.…
Find out more »Dutch Oven Gathering
The Fort Towson Historic Site will hold a Dutch Oven Gathering on Saturday, August 23, 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 »Dance at the Memorial
On Saturday, August 23, from 6 to 9 p.m., come to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum to experience an old-time contra dance! Live music featuring the Silver Dollar String Band with caller Emma Neighbour is sure to make for a lively evening! No experience is needed, the dance is free to watch, and the cost is $5 a dance! Contra dancing is a fun way to connect with the community, listen to music, and enjoy a playful experience. Looking for…
Find out more »Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission meeting
The meeting of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 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 »Finding the Butterfield: A Journey Through Time in Indian Territory author talk and book signing with Susan Dragoo
Join the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library in Guthrie on Thursday, August 28, at 6 p.m., for an author talk and book signing with Susan Dragoo. She will discuss and sign copies of her book Finding the Butterfield: A Journey Through Time in Indian Territory (2024). Finding the Butterfield: A Journey Through Time in Indian Territory takes the reader through the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, both in the late 1850s as a passenger on the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach and…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring The Boy from Oklahoma (1954) starring Will Rogers Jr.
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will show the movie The Boy from Oklahoma (1954) starring Will Rogers Jr., at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore on Friday, August 29. 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…
Find out more »Resilience—A Sansei Sense of Legacy exhibit closes
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will host the traveling exhibit Resilience—A Sansei Sense of Legacy through Saturday, August 30. In 1942, in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces, President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law Executive Order 9066. The law ordered the forced imprisonment of all Japanese Americans living on the West Coast of the United States, which at the time had the second-largest population of Japanese people living outside of Japan. Told from the point…
Find out more »Parlor Jams with Wayne Cantwell
On the last Saturday of June, July, August, September, and October, from 1 to 3 p.m., The Chisholm will present a series of jam sessions in the parlor room of Horizon Hill, the home of Territorial Governor A. J. Seay. Wayne Cantwell, “the Flyin’ Fiddler,” will lead an old-fashioned jam session in the parlor of Horizon Hill. Musicians of all levels are encouraged to participate in this excellent learning opportunity to sit and play alongside seasoned performers! New players are…
Find out more »Showmanship and the Wild West – Oklahoma’s Wild West Exhibitions: 1886-1933 exhibit closes
The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will showcase the University of Oklahoma Libraries Western History Collections exhibit Showmanship and the Wild West—Oklahoma’s Wild West Exhibitions: 1886-1933 through Sunday, August 31. Through a collection of historic posters, photographs, and Wild West show artifacts, the exhibit will feature the rise and fall of “America’s National Entertainment,” reflecting the popularity of Wild West Shows from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Oklahomans played a significant role in this nostalgic era as the American…
Find out more »September 2025
Saving the Sacred: “Cemetery Preservation and Conservation, Session 1” with Jason Harpe
The State Historic Preservation Office will host a free webinar in its Saving the Sacred series on Thursday, September 4, at 2 p.m. Saving the Sacred: “Cemetery Preservation and Conservation, Session 1” will be presented by Jason Harpe, Public Historian/Director of Cemetery Conservation, and Lynda Ozan, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. Many cemetery stewards understand that they need to do something about the issues they face, but they have no idea where to start or who they should involve to…
Find out more »Bad Art: Adult Night at the Museum
Join the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library in Guthrie on Thursday, September 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for a “Bad Art” night! Visitors will have the chance to create their own piece of art and see the exhibit Artfully Local: Creations by Dr. Bob Palmer and Holly McHughes before it closes on September 5. Truly horrible prizes will be awarded to the least bad and the worst art pieces of the night! A sculpture constructed with the…
Find out more »Artfully Local: Creations by Dr. Bob Palmer and Holly McHughes exhibit closes
The Artfully Local exhibit showcases the works of artists Dr. Bob Palmer and Holly McHughes. Dr. Bob Palmer is a renowned mural artist who has created over 3,800 regional murals. He describes his work as an “incarnation of contemplation and wonder.” Holly McHughes is a local artist who specializes in various media. Her pieces for this exhibition are acrylic on canvas and are inspired by the Historic Carnegie Library. Join us at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Historic Carnegie Library…
Find out more »First Friday OKPOP-IN
The OKPOP Museum will host a “First Friday” event each month. The public is invited to an evening of music, pop culture, and behind-the-scenes access, offering an exclusive look inside the future of OKPOP with behind-the-scenes tours of the museum! Whether you’re a longtime pop culture fan or just curious about what’s coming to OKPOP, this is your chance to be part of something exciting. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public! OKPOP is located at 422…
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 »Nuttall Book Study: A Journal of Travels into Arkansas Territory During the Year 1819
On Thursday, September 11, at 6 p.m., Jona Tucker will present an in-depth look at botanist Thomas Nuttall, a botanist who was an early explorer of what later became Fort Towson in 1819. She will review Nuttall’s publication, A Journal of Travels into Arkansas Territory During the Year 1819. Who was Thomas Nuttall? Thomas Nuttall (1786–1859) was a pioneering naturalist interested in botany who took many journeys and expeditions in the 19th century. He took a 5,000-mile journey down the…
Find out more »Peyote Politics: The Making of the Native American Church, 1880–1937 book discussion with author Dr. Lisa Barnett
On Thursday, September 11, at 6 p.m., the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Historic Carnegie Library will host Dr. Lisa Barnett for a book discussion on her new book, Peyote Politics: The Making of the Native American Church, 1880–1937 (2025, University of Oklahoma Press). Dr. Lisa Barnett is an associate professor of American Religious History at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. She completed her doctoral work in the history department at Texas Christian University, focusing on US history since 1877, specifically…
Find out more »Hominy-making Workshop
The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a hominy-making workshop with David Fowler on Saturday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will learn to make hominy using the traditional Cherokee method. Hominy was a staple in the 19th-century diet because corn was widely available. Processing it into hominy boosted the nutritional value, preserved it, and made for a delicious meal. The workshop will include various food items, including grain, corn, and mammal products. If you have questions…
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