Events Calendar
Events for May 1, 2024 - June 8, 2024
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May 2024
Oklahoma National History Day State Contest
Oklahoma National History Day is more than an academic exercise for thousands of Oklahoma junior high and high school students; it is a tradition. On Wednesday, May 1, and Thursday, May 2, the 2024 OkNHD State Contest will be held in person at the Oklahoma History Center. The junior division contest will be on Wednesday, May 1, and the senior division contest will be on Thursday, May 2. Awards will be given each day at 2:30 p.m. Following the awards…
Find out more »Boots, Beer, & BBQ Gala Dinner *postponed due to weather*
Due to weather concerns, The Chisholm has postponed the May 2 Boots, Beer, and BBQ event to September 21.
Find out more »“Hunter Trapper” Living History program begins
Come to the Fort Gibson Historic Site on Fridays and Saturdays in the month of May to learn more about the life of a Hunter/Trapper in the Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). Long before Fort Gibson was established, hunters and trappers in Indian Territory hunted and trapped fur-bearing animals for the purpose of trading for goods. Once Fort Gibson was established, hunters and trappers were pivotal to a successful economy, which had a larger part in the development of America. Fort…
Find out more »“Perspectives in History” The Oklahoma History Symposium
Join us on Saturday, May 4, for “Perspectives in History.” Presented by the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS), the Oklahoma History Symposium is held each spring at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. This one-day symposium offers scholars, historians, authors, and museum professionals a forum to share their work with history enthusiasts. The Oklahoma History Symposium is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to register and for the full details about the event. The…
Find out more »Spring on the Farm
Learn about 19th-century agriculture at Hunter’s Home on Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. as staff prepare for the upcoming growing season. Adults and children can observe the gardens, fields, and animals while learning how farms of the 1800s prepared for the changing seasons. Sheep shearing and other demonstrations will be happening at the event. There will also be a story time and craft for kids. Staff will talk about the importance of bees and gardens. “Spring on the…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Membership Meeting
A meeting of the membership of the Oklahoma Historical Society will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10 a.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at okhistory.org/BOARD. This meeting will be held in person at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
Find out more »Blacksmithing Demonstration
On Saturdays, May 4, August 3, and November 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cherokee Strip Museum 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 admission for all, but donations are…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors Organizational Meeting
An organizational meeting of the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:15 a.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at okhistory.org/BOARD. This meeting will be held in person at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
Find out more »Virtual Field Trip with Dr. Theodore Gonzalves *canceled*
This event has been canceled Dr. Theodore Gonzalves, curator of Asian Pacific American History at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, will discuss artifacts and objects featured in his book Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects (2023). Additional material shared during the virtual field trip will include an overview of the Oklahoma History Center Museum’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) educational trunk, a brief lesson on AAPI history, a discussion with students about being a museum curator,…
Find out more »From Our Hands exhibit opening
A new exhibition, opening May 6, entitled From Our Hands, will be on display at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center through July 6. The exhibit will include various works of art created by Oklahoma Native American artists. The work on display will consist of pieces by Burgess Roye (Ponca) (1944 - 2015), Paladine Roye (Ponca) (1946 - 2001), Penny Coates (Potawatomi), and Amber DuBoise-Shepherd (Prairie Band Potawatomi/Sac and Fox) as part of the annual Spring Art exhibit series. The…
Find out more »Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
On Wednesday, May 8, at 10 a.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will present a free webinar to provide training on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires federal agencies to consider projects’ effects on important historical resources before funding, constructing, or permitting them. This training is intended (1) to provide a broad introduction to Section 106 and (2) to provide you with the information and…
Find out more »Oklahoma Restaurant Roundtable *postponed*
On Wednesday, May 8, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center, in collaboration with the Bigger Than Food Foundation, will host an Oklahoma Restaurant Roundtable discussion on the history and evolution of the food industry and restaurants. This roundtable will feature historians and current Oklahoma City metro area restaurant owners. The discussion will take place in the Chesapeake Event Center from 6- 8 p.m., followed by a networking hour from 8-9 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This…
Find out more »Drafting and Executing Section 106 Agreement Documents with the OKSHPO
On Thursday, May 9, at 10 a.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will host a free webinar on drafting and executing Section 106 agreement documents with the Oklahoma SHPO office. This workshop, led by Kristina Wyckoff, will expand upon the Section 106 agreement documents provided in the Section 106 workshop. This will include a review of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) and Programmatic Agreements (PA); the purpose each type of document serves in the Section 106 process; a review…
Find out more »Civil War-Era Music Program
Honey Springs Battlefield will host a Civil War-Era music program on Saturday, May 11, at 1 p.m. The Loco Focos and Shadow Ridge bands will play songs of the Civil War period as closely as possible to their original form while using period instruments. Guests are also encouraged to explore the east and west gallery exhibit halls, which feature a 3D theater, 14 audio players with recordings from first-hand written accounts of soldiers who fought at the Battle of Honey…
Find out more »OU/OAS Archaeological Field School at Spiro Mounds begins
From May 13 to June 12, the University of Oklahoma students and faculty and the Oklahoma Archeological Survey staff 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…
Find out more »The Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program Overview
On Monday, May 13, from 10 to 11 a.m., the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will have a free webinar featuring an overview of the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program. Sara Werneke will be the featured presenter. Participants will learn about the federal and state investment tax credits for certified rehabilitation of a certified historic structure. A detailed discussion of the Historic Preservation Certification Application, Parts 1, 2, and 3, will guide owners and developers in successfully preparing the information…
Find out more »The Historic Preservation Tax Credit: A Case Study
On May 14, from 10 to 11 a.m., the State Historic Preservation Office will offer a free webinar entitled “The Historic Preservation Tax Credit: A Case Study.” Sara Werneke will be the featured presenter. Knowing what should be in a Historic Preservation Tax Credit project submission can be daunting. Even knowing where to start can be overwhelming. In this workshop, Werneke will use a case study of an actual tax credit project that successfully went through the process and is…
Find out more »“Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in Oklahoma: A Historical Journey”
On Tuesday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will highlight the history, heritage, and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Oklahoma with “Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in Oklahoma: A Historical Journey.” This lunch and learn session will also honor individuals who have contributed to the culture of Oklahoma. From 11-11:30 a.m., author Amy Le will be available for a book signing. Le is the award-winning author of…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting *canceled*
The Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting previously scheduled for May 15 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 »Summer Sounds Concert featuring Jason Scott and High Heat
Join The Chisholm on the third Thursday of May, June, July, and August for a free Summer Sounds Concert series. 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 »200th Anniversary Commemoration
The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a living history event to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the fort. The ceremony will recognize the contribution of the soldiers who manned Fort Towson when it was active while celebrating the tremendous contributions of the Choctaw and Chickasaw people. The event will be held on May 18 from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Living historians will present a glimpse into the lives of military members and civilians who lived…
Find out more »The Wayne McCombs Classic, 1880s-era Baseball Game
Will Rogers loved baseball. “Baseball is our national game; every boy and girl in the United States should play it. It should be made compulsory in the schools.” To celebrate Will’s love of baseball and its place in our nation’s history, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host an 1880s baseball game on May 18 at 1 p.m. This is the fourth year for the Memorial Museum to host an 1880s baseball game, which originally began at the ranch in…
Find out more »Picnic in the Village
Enjoy a beautiful Spring Sunday picnic on the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center grounds on May 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.! With the purchase of one ticket, guests will reserve a picnic basket for two, with early 20th-century picnic fare, a blanket to sit on, supplies for a hands-on activity, and some take-home gifts. This lunchtime event is perfect for a Mother’s Day gift, lunch date, or nice Sunday afternoon outing with a friend. Tickets are priced at…
Find out more »“Cats and Cathouses” presentation
On Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m., the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library will host a free lecture with authors Chris Enss and Preston Lewis. The program is called “Cats and Cathouses” and will dive into wayward women of the West and cats. Enns is a New York Times bestselling author who has written about women of the Old West for over 30 years. Lewis is a Spur Award-winning author of more than 40 Western, juvenile, and historical novels…
Find out more »Thursday Night Lecture Series: The Will Rogers Medallion Award program with Chris Enss and Preston Lewis
On Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m., Will Rogers Medallion Award Executive Director Chris Enss and award-winning author Preston Lewis will discuss the Will Rogers Medallion Award program at the May Thursday Night Lecture Series at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Preston Lewis is the Spur Award-winning author of more than 40 western, juvenile and historical novels on the Old West as well as numerous articles, short stories and book reviews on the American frontier. About the Will Rogers Medallion Award…
Find out more »Mr. Pettigrew film screening
L. J. Martin’s Western Mr. Pettigrew will be shown at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum Theater on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m. The film is based on the bestselling book Mr. Pettigrew, which centers around a down-on-your-luck character Beau Boone. “Beau Boone, starving, with half a left leg at the end of his rope, falls off the train in the hell-on-wheels town of Nemesis. Mr. Pettigrew intervenes. Beau owes him, but does he owe him his very life? Can…
Find out more »“Dirt Tells the Story of Our History” talk with Christina Rich-Splawn
“Dirt Tells the Story of Our History,” a talk with Christina Rich-Splawn, will take place on Saturday, May 25, at 3 p.m. at The Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue. Christina Rich-Splawn will give a talk about her passion for archaeology and history. She will have a show-and-tell with some artifacts and discuss some archaeological digs she has attended. There will also be a discussion about the importance of maintaining, interpreting, and honoring our prehistoric and historic sites. Follow the Pioneer Woman…
Find out more »History Day Camp *camp is full*
Fort Towson Historic Site's “History Day Camp” for kids ages nine to 12 is completely full! 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 1840s. Historical interpreters will lead campers in hands-on activities such as archaeology, military drills, old-fashioned games, and hands-on crafts. Whether taking part in an 1840s baseball game, learning to roll a wooden barrel, surveying the landscape,…
Find out more »“Hunter Trapper” Living History program ends
Come to the Fort Gibson Historic Site on Fridays and Saturdays in the month of May to learn more about the life of a Hunter/Trapper in the Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). Long before Fort Gibson was established, hunters and trappers in Indian Territory hunted and trapped fur-bearing animals for the purpose of trading for goods. Once Fort Gibson was established, hunters and trappers were pivotal to a successful economy, which had a larger part in the development of America. Fort…
Find out more »Sneed Cabin Grand Opening
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will hold a grand opening ceremony for the newly completed Sneed Cabin on Friday, May 31, at 1 p.m. on the grounds of the Humphrey Heritage Village. Members of the Sneed family will attend to witness the revitalization of the historic structure. The Sneed Cabin reconstruction began on March 18 and ended in mid-May. This will become the fifth building in the Village and the first to be added in 30 years! It will…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring Angels in the Outfield (1994)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a FREE Movie Night featuring the film Angels in the Outfield (1994) in its theater on Friday, May 31. 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 the doors will open at 6 p.m. Please call 918-341-0719 for more information.
Find out more »June 2024
Clem Rogers and the Legacy of the Rogers Ranch exhibit closes
Clem Rogers and the Legacy of the Rogers Ranch exhibit will remain open at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore through June 1, 2024. On Thursday, June 1, the exhibit Clem Rogers and the Legacy of the Rogers Ranch opened at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. In the shadow of the iconic statue of Will Rogers in the Will Rogers Memorial Museum’s rotunda is a new exhibit telling the story of his father, Clem Rogers, and the Rogers…
Find out more »Vintage Snack Sets exhibit opens
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home in Hominy will feature an exhibit of Vintage Snack Sets from Saturday, June 1 to Sunday, June 30. 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 indention 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 »History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip
Step back in time and experience life in the Cherokee Outlet during History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. On the first and third Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the four historic territorial buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village come to life with reenactors dressed in period clothing from the late 1800s. Attendees can sit at school desks in the Turkey Creek one-room schoolhouse while lessons are…
Find out more »“Sounds of the Prairie” bluegrass performance
On Saturday, June 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Cherokee Strip Museum will host a “Sounds of the Prairie” bluegrass performance featuring The Hunt Brothers, a local bluegrass band. Admission is free to the public and will take place on the Cherokee Strip Museum grounds. Guests for this summer concert are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy the sounds of the prairie musical set with friends and family.
Find out more »Inaugural Impressions exhibit opens
On Friday, June 7, the Oklahoma History Center Museum will open a new exhibit in the Sam Noble Gallery entitled Inaugural Impressions. The exhibit will explore 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…
Find out more »Basic Barn Quilt Workshop
The Chisholm Trail Museum will hold two of its popular beginner barn quilt workshops on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Participants only need to attend one class. Barn quilts are square-shaped boards painted to resemble a quilt block and then put on buildings. They have evolved into a rural development initiative to boost tourism in communities. Participants will make a barn quilt to take home. Oklahoma State University Extension educator Lindy Hoel will lead…
Find out more »Oklahoma History Center Open House
The Oklahoma History Center is thrilled to host the Oklahoma History Center Open House, an exclusive event that will showcase the array of unique room rentals the center offers for special events. This event will provide attendees with an immersive experience, showcasing the versatility and ambiance of each room through meticulously crafted mock setups. The breadth of possibilities available for events at the Oklahoma History Center ranges from corporate gatherings and weddings to private receptions and cultural celebrations. We invite…
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 »Guided Tours
Students from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) will serve as tour guides on the six trails that cross the 1,100-acre Honey Springs Battlefield on three Saturdays in June: June 8 ,15, and 29, as well as Saturday, July 6. The students will point out the exact locations of military actions, highlight key aspects of the engagement, and discuss its historical importance. Normally, the park and its six trails are self-guided, with a total of 55 trail…
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