Events Calendar
Events for August 1, 2023 - September 16, 2023
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August 2023
Antique Handkerchiefs exhibit opens
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home will have a collection of antique handkerchiefs displayed in the historic home from August 2 through 31. The special collection of dainty squares of fabric will feature a variety of cheerful designs. In the late 1800s, women often carried a handkerchief to dab their nose and dry a tear. Before the mass production of disposable facial tissues after the Spanish Flu of 1918, handkerchiefs were commonly carried by men and women. Women of the…
Find out more »Hidden Oklahoma: “Out of the Earth: Revitalizing Choctaw Traditional Art” presentation by Dr. Ian Thompson
On Wednesday, August 2, at 2 p.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will hold a free virtual webinar on “Out of the Earth: Revitalizing Choctaw Traditional Art," presented by Dr. Ian Thompson. From brain-tanned bison robes processed with stone tools to traditional meals cooked in shell-tempered pots made from Choctaw homeland clays, this presentation will share some of the exciting cultural revitalization work happening at Choctaw Nation. This work both informs and is informed by Indigenous archaeology.…
Find out more »The People’s House: The Story of the Oklahoma State Capitol DocOKC Film Festival screening
On Friday, August 4, at 7 p.m., The People’s House: The Story of the Oklahoma State Capitol documentary on the Oklahoma State Capitol will be screened at the DocOKC Film Festival at the auditorium at the Douglass in Oklahoma City. The documentary features a spectacular four-minute drone tour of the Capitol with glimpses of the House floor, Senate floor, and Oklahoma Supreme Court, providing rare views of the building’s interior and exterior. It walks through the history of the Capitol,…
Find out more »Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in WWII exhibit closes
The exhibit Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in WWII will be on display at the Cherokee Strip and Regional Heritage Center until Saturday, August 5. In the years leading up to World War II, racial segregation and discrimination were part of daily life for many in the United States. For most African Americans, even the most basic rights and services were fragmented or denied altogether. To be Black was to know the limits of freedom—excluded from…
Find out more »American Indian Boarding Schools in Oklahoma workshop
The Oklahoma History Center will host a workshop on Saturday, August 5, that focuses on American Indian boarding schools in Oklahoma. A 2022 report from the US Department of the Interior detailed the assimilationist policies and inherent abuse that the schools employed for decades. The report identified more than 400 schools across 37 states that operated between 1819 and 1969, including 76 in Oklahoma. From 10-11:30 a.m., Dr. Farina King (Diné) will give an overview of the history of American…
Find out more »Family Fun Day
Experience “Family Fun Day” at the Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School in Perry on Saturday, August 5, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bring the whole family to enjoy this free admission day full of cake walks, apple peeling, sack races, rope-making demonstrations, living history gunfights, and live banjo music. The Rose Hill schoolmarm will hold short class sessions, a petting zoo will be on-site, and a fun photo station will be set up at the jail. The Blacksmith’s Shop…
Find out more »Blacksmithing and Wheelsetting Demonstrations with the Saltfork Craftsmen
On August 5, during Family Fun Day, the Saltfork Craftsmen will be holding a Blacksmithing Demonstration in the blacksmith shop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy watching the craftsmen work and will have an opportunity for safe hands-on experiences. The team of expert blacksmiths will be demonstrating the wheelwright’s craft. Tom Nelson, CSM’s resident blacksmith, will demonstrate the special skills involved in the construction of heavy wheels, including the finishing touch of adding a metal ring or…
Find out more »The People’s House: The Story of the Oklahoma State Capitol Fly Film Festival screening
On Saturday, August 5, at 5:45 p.m., The People’s House: The Story of the Oklahoma State Capitol documentary on the Oklahoma State Capitol will be screened at the Fly Film Festival at the Gaslight Theatre located at 221 N. Independence in Enid. The documentary features a spectacular four-minute drone tour of the Capitol with glimpses of the House floor, Senate floor, and Oklahoma Supreme Court, providing rare views of the building’s interior and exterior. It walks through the history of…
Find out more »“Totem: As Monument” lecture and panel discussion
On Sunday, August 6, from 3 to 5 p.m., the Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host a free lecture and panel discussion with Pablo Barrera, associate curator at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center; Russell Cobb, associate professor of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies at the University of Alberta and author of The Great Oklahoma Swindle: Race, Religion, and Lies in America’s Weirdest State; Annalise Flynn, art historian and curator of SPACES Archive at the Kohler Foundation, Kohler, Wisconsin; Emily L. Moore,…
Find out more »History OffCenter: “OkieKaraoke” at the Cabin Boys Brewery
The Oklahoma Historical Society will host “OkieKaraoke” on Wednesday, August 9, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. inside Cabin Boys Brewery at 1717 E. 7th Street, Tulsa, in the Pearl District. The public is invited to show up in their best Oklahoma-inspired gear to sing their favorite Oklahoma songs—inspired by the creatives who will be featured in OKPOP! This event is part of the OHS’s History OffCenter series, which focuses on immersive, engaging experiences. With an emphasis on community outreach, this…
Find out more »“History of the Seminole” presentation by Jake Tiger
On Friday, August 11, from 10 a.m. to noon, Jake Tiger, historic preservation cultural specialist for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, will present a history of the Seminole Nation at Fort Gibson Historic Site. Tiger will discuss the history of the Seminoles, including their life before Indian Territory and how they were removed to Oklahoma. The presentation will take place in the visitor center of Fort Gibson Historic Site, located at 907 N. Garrison Ave. in Fort Gibson. The program…
Find out more »Wreath-laying ceremony and flyover at Will Rogers Memorial Museum
On Friday, August 11, at noon, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a wreath-laying ceremony and flyover to mark the anniversary of the August 15, 1935, death of Will Rogers and Wiley Post in an Alaskan plane crash. Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry, Will Rogers’ great-granddaughter, will be joined by several generations of descendants of Will’s sisters, Sallie Rogers McSpadden and Maud Rogers Lane, for a wreath-laying rite at noon Friday, August 11, at the family tomb on the…
Find out more »Quilting workshop with Martha Ray
The Quilting workshop with Martha Ray meets on the second Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Sod House Museum for $5 per person. Ray teaches how 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, door prizes, refreshments, discussions, quilt patterns, and old-fashioned bed turnings at the…
Find out more »2023 Oklahoma All-Black Towns State Conference
The Oklahoma Historical Society, in partnership with the Oklahoma Conference of Black Mayors, will host the Oklahoma All-Black Towns State Conference on Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. The conference is designed to encourage a network of state agencies to join with the mayors of some of Oklahoma’s historic All-Black towns to share resources and discuss ideas. In the early 20th century, Oklahoma was home to more than 50 All-Black towns and…
Find out more »“How to Protect Native American Archaeological Sites and History” Lunch and Learn webinar
The State Historic Preservation Office will host a Lunch and Learn webinar on Wednesday, August 16, at noon, focusing on protecting Native American archaeological sites and history. The featured presenters are Shannon Cowell, preservation archaeologist with Archaeology Southwest, and Ashleigh Thompson, director of tribal collaboration in research and education with Archaeology Southwest. The presentation will discuss the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. The speakers will also share information on SaveHistory.org, a group that leads a regional effort to end archaeological resource…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting *canceled*
The Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting previously scheduled for August 16, 2023 has been canceled.
Find out more »Carriage House Sit and Sew
Sewers of all ages are invited to join the “Carriage House Sit and Sew” at the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion in Oklahoma City. This free monthly event is for makers and crafters of all kinds and all skill levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their supplies and projects to sew and create in a different setting. Register for each session at https://www.preservationok.org/shop Registration is limited to 20 people. Guests can bring their food and drink, and coffee and water…
Find out more »History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip *canceled*
The History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip previously scheduled for August 19 has been canceled.
Find out more »“The Beginnings of Fort Smith and its Connections to Fort Gibson” presentation by Cody Faber
On Saturday, August 19, at 11 a.m., Cody Faber will teach visitors about the beginnings of Fort Smith and its connections to Fort Gibson. Faber is a park ranger, volunteer, living history interpreter, and historic weapons coordinator from the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Arkansas. The presentation will take place in the commissary building at 907 N. Garrison Ave. in Fort Gibson. The event is free with paid admission. For more information, please call 918-478-4088.
Find out more »“The 1st and 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles in the Civil War” presentation by Kerry Jones
On Saturday, August 19, at 1 p.m., Honey Springs Battlefield will host a special presentation by Mr. Kerry Jones, the current National Park Service Guide at the Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas. He will discuss the history of the 1st and 2nd Cherokee Mounted Rifles that fought at the Battle of Honey Springs, the Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas, and the overall Civil War in Indian Territory. Mr. Jones earned his undergraduate degrees in history and political…
Find out more »Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission meeting
The meeting of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission will be held on Tuesday, August 22 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 »Movie Night featuring Oklahoma! (1955)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host an encore presentation of Movie Night featuring the classic film Oklahoma! (1955) in its theater on Tuesday, August 22, at 7 p.m. Admission to the movie is free, and guests can also enjoy free popcorn and drinks while watching the film, thanks to the Bank of Commerce’s sponsorship. Seating is limited, so early arrival is suggested. Please call 918-341-0719 for more information.
Find out more »Question-and-Answer event with Rebecka Peterson, 2023 National Teacher of the Year *event is full*
Rebecka Peterson, the 2023 National Teacher of the Year, will participate in a live question and answer event at the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) on Friday, August 25, starting at 2 p.m. The program will take place in the Musser Learning Lab inside the John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center on the first floor of the OHC. Space is limited to the first 25 educators, so be sure to register by clicking here. The registration form also includes a spot to submit…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring Will Rogers in State Fair (1933)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a Movie Night featuring Will Rogers and Janet Gaynor in the film State Fair (1933), in its theater on Friday, August 25, at 7 p.m.
Guests can enjoy free admission, popcorn, and drinks while watching the 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 »Genealogy and Research workshop presented by David C. Reed
The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a genealogy and research workshop on Saturday, August 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. During this come-and-go event, guests will learn from Fort Towson’s historical interpreter David C. Reed about the free tools available at the site for genealogy and research. The site’s research library contains reference materials, books, primary source documents, and a public-use computer. This program will focus on those resources and some that are offered by the Oklahoma Historical Society,…
Find out more »Jazz Night at the Blue Note
Join the Oklahoma Historical Society and the American Banjo Museum for Jazz Night on Sunday, August 27, from 7-11 p.m. at the Blue Note—one of Oklahoma City’s oldest live music venues— located at 2408 N. Robinson Ave.
Enjoy the sounds of Vintage Vibe playing your favorite early jazz and swing hits on vintage and rare instruments at the recently remodeled Blue Note. Between songs, the ensemble will discuss their instruments and the jazz styles and eras of the songs they will be playing. If you are a fan of Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman, you are in for a treat!
Admission is free, and all attendees must be 21 or older. General seating is limited, but you can visit okcbluenote.com for information on reserved seating and preordering “TV dinners” or Relish Trays from R&J Lounge and Supper Club. The Blue Note is a nonsmoking establishment.
Find out more »Antique Handkerchiefs exhibit closes
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home will have a collection of antique handkerchiefs displayed in the historic home from August 2–31. The special collection of dainty squares of fabric will feature a variety of cheerful designs. In the late 1800s, women often carried a handkerchief to dab their nose and dry a tear. Before the mass production of disposable facial tissues after the Spanish Flu of 1918, handkerchiefs were commonly carried by men and women. Women of the 19th century,…
Find out more »STEAM Night at the Museum
On Thursday, August 31, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will host a STEAM Night for K-12 students and their families to explore the wonders of learning about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. The event will focus on the history of STEAM in Oklahoma, the STEAM industry today, and how to get involved with more hands-on learning activities to boost educational experiences of young learners! Visitors are encouraged to explore the Oklahoma History Center’s exhibit galleries open until 5 p.m. that…
Find out more »September 2023
How We Rebuild exhibit opens
On Friday, September 1, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will open the Exhibits USA exhibit How We Rebuild in its galleries. This penetrating and transformative photography exhibition draws from twelve years of work created by grant winners and finalists from The Aftermath Project, a non-profit organization committed to telling the other half of war stories after the conflicts have ended—what it takes for individuals to rebuild destroyed lives and homes, to restore civil societies, and to recover the heartbeat of humanity.
Find out more »“A Soldier at Fort Gibson” living history program
Throughout September, the Fort Gibson Historic Site will hold a living history program every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 3 p.m. On those days, visitors will be able to observe a living history reenactor, living the life of a soldier at Fort Gibson. Watch musket drills, cooking demonstrations, mending clothing, and what it was like to work in the garden when the fort was an active military outpost. The event will occur…
Find out more »Drummond Heirlooms exhibit opens
For the entire month of September, family heirlooms belonging to the Fred and Addie Drummond family will be displayed at the Victorian-style home they built in 1905. Once a year, the historic home brings out the artifacts belonging to the successful Osage County ranching family for the public to view. Articles of clothing, school memorabilia, sheet music, quilts, toys, and numerous attic treasures belonging to the Frederick and Adeline Drummond family will be on display from Friday, September 1, through…
Find out more »Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program workshop
The Oklahoma Historical Society will host two online workshops to inform the public about the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program application process. The workshops will be held Friday, September 1, at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, September 12, at 10 a.m. In this online program, OHS Grants Administrator Nicole Harvey will provide guidance for groups interested in applying for the 2023/2024 grant cycle, which begins on September 1, 2023. Participants will learn which organizations and projects are eligible, how to apply,…
Find out more »Prize for the Fire: A Novel (2022) presentation by author Rilla Askew
On Tuesday, September 5, at 7 p.m., Oklahoma author Rilla Askew will present her newest book, Prize for the Fire: A Novel (2022), at the Museum of the Western Prairie. The book follows the story of Anne Askew and her struggle against the Tudor patriarchy of 16th-century England. Askew was born in Poteau and raised in the Bartlesville area. Askew graduated from the University of Tulsa. She has taught at several universities, including the University of Central Oklahoma and the…
Find out more »Hidden Oklahoma: “Caddo Ceramic Specialists Living and Working at Cahokia” presentation by Dr. Shawn Lambert
On Wednesday, September 6, at 2 p.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will hold a free webinar on “Caddo Ceramic Specialists Living and Working at Cahokia,” presented by Dr. Shawn Lambert of Mississippi State University. This presentation is part of SHPO's 2023 Archaeology speaker series Hidden Oklahoma: How Archaeology Reveals Secrets From Our Past. Hidden Oklahoma guest archaeologists and researchers discuss important sites in Oklahoma and illustrate why archaeology is critical to understanding our history. Register for…
Find out more »Ice Cream Social
The Friends of the Fred and Addie Drummond Home are happy to announce that the annual Ice Cream Social will be held at the home on Saturday, September 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. The family-friendly event will be held out-of-doors. Special guests will include author Rosanne McKee, who will be holding a book signing of her books The Arabella Effect and Oklahoma Roses. Osage storyteller Diane Fallis will also join the festivities. After visitors tour the late Victorian-style three-story…
Find out more »“Introduction to Cross-Stitch” workshop
On Saturday, September 9, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will host an “Introduction to Cross-Stitch” workshop. This is a beginner-level class. Previous knowledge of needlepoint crafts or sewing is optional. All materials and instruction will be provided, along with light refreshments. Participants will learn the process of cross-stitching and create a cross-stitch bookmark to make and take home with them. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers.
Find out more »Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program workshop
The Oklahoma Historical Society will host two online workshops to inform the public about the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program application process. The workshops will be held Friday, September 1, at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, September 12, at 10 a.m. In this online program, OHS Grants Administrator Nicole Harvey will provide guidance for groups interested in applying for the 2023/2024 grant cycle. Participants will learn which organizations and projects are eligible, how to apply, and the criteria used to evaluate…
Find out more »“Threatt Filling Station Rehabilitation Project” Lunch and Learn webinar
On Wednesday, September 13, at noon, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will host a free Lunch and Learn webinar exploring the historical significance of the Threatt Family Farm and its centerpiece, the Threatt Filling Station. In 2020, a Historic Structures Report noted the station was in disrepair, requiring extensive rehabilitation. In 2021, the Station was included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s List of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.Preservation efforts are underway to restore the Black-owned and…
Find out more »Prop Design Day
Come to the Fort Towson Historic Site on Saturday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a come-and-go, hands-on workshop that will teach participants how to craft event props and backdrops. Work with our staff to make backdrops for the upcoming Doaksville Candlelight Tour with expert designer Billy Brooks of the Beavers Bend Mining Company. Billy will teach about his techniques to spark imagination with prehistoric, old-west, and pirate-themed sets. This is a come-and-go, hands-on workshop. Be sure to…
Find out more »Parks On The Air (POTA) Activation event
From September 10 to 24, the Kay County Amateur Radio Club in Ponca City will activate a special event call sign W5R. The club will hold a Parks On The Air (POTA) Activation event at the Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue (K-8646) on Saturday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., (weather permitting). The club will show members of the public their equipment and have them listen in to their communications, which they consider “old-school social media.” In addition,…
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