Events for September 1, 2023 - October 7, 2023
Events List Navigation
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 »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 11 a.m. to 3 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 »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 »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, door prizes, refreshments, discussions, quilt patterns, and old-fashioned bed turnings at the next quilting workshop. Proceeds directly…
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,…
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 11 a.m. to 3 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 »Beethoven’s Sonata concert performance by Dr. Hyunsoon Whang
Dr. Hyunsoon Whang will present the seventh performance in a series of concerts showcasing Beethoven’s sonatas at the Museum of the Western Prairie on Sunday, September 17, starting at 2:30 p.m. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Whang began piano studies at age four and started playing public concerts at 12. Since then, she has given solo recitals worldwide, participating in festivals and master classes. She also helps inspire new generations of students. Whang is the McMahon Endowed Chair of Music…
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 »Prairie to Palate outdoor dining experience and fundraising dinner
The Pioneer Woman Museum (PWM) is excited to host its annual Prairie to Palate fundraising dinner on Thursday, September 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will be held on the beautiful lawn of the Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City. Prairie to Palate is an outdoor, farm-to-table dining experience. Enjoy a night of delicious food, wine, live music, and a silent auction. Dinner will be provided by Stagecoach BBQ and Catering, dessert by Banana Crate, drinks by Vortex…
Find out more »“1840s Garrison Weekend” living history program
On Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Fort Gibson Historic Site will hold a garrison weekend. This living history program will feature demonstrations of troop movement used in preparation for the Mexican American War. In the 1840s, Fort Gibson soldiers traveled the 123-mile distance to Fort Towson in southeastern Indian Territory. Visitors will have opportunities to interact with living historians who are experts in the Mexican War era. Experience the sights, sounds,…
Find out more »“1840s Garrison Weekend” living history program
On Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Fort Gibson Historic Site will hold a garrison weekend. This living history program will feature demonstrations of troop movement used in preparation for the Mexican American War. In the 1840s, Fort Gibson soldiers traveled the 123-mile distance to Fort Towson in southeastern Indian Territory. Visitors will have opportunities to interact with living historians who are experts in the Mexican War era. Experience the sights, sounds,…
Find out more »Volunteer Recruitment Day
The Oklahoma History Center Museum will host an event on Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for anyone interested in volunteering. Attendees can visit with current volunteers, ask questions, and tour the 215,000-square-foot learning center that explores Oklahoma’s unique history. Volunteers serve as gallery hosts, tour guides, class instructors, greeters, special event assistants, collections assistants, research library assistants, archives assistants, and more. The event will take place in the Chesapeake Event Center inside the Oklahoma History Center,…
Find out more »Brushstroke Calligraphy workshop
On Saturday, September 23, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will host a brushstroke calligraphy workshop. Participants will learn brushstroke techniques and practice basic calligraphy. This workshop is designed for beginners. The class costs $20 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $25 for nonmembers. The deadline to register is Saturday, September 16. All supplies are included with registration. Register for the workshop.
Find out more »Story Time at Hunter’s Home
Hunter’s Home will host families for a fall-themed story time on Saturday, September 23, at 10:30 a.m. The featured book is Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson. It tells the story of a fox who tries to understand the changing seasons when leaves start falling from the trees. Storytime will include an activity and snack. The event is free with paid admission. No registration is required. For more information, call 918-456-2751. Hunter’s Home is located at 19479 E.…
Find out more »Hands-On Historic Skills
On the fourth Saturday of each month, the Fort Towson Historic Site welcomes visitors to take part in the Hands-On Historic Skills series of demonstrations.
Every month, guests can try their hand at using period artifacts and tools with the guidance of Fort Towson staff members and historical interpreters. Hands-on demonstrations allow individuals to experience the past by touching, using and gaining an appreciation for historical objects while in the Fort Towson setting.
Updates on monthly programs and special events can be found on the Fort Towson Historic Site’s Facebook page or at www.okhistory.org. For more information, email fttowson@history.ok.gov or call 580-873-2634. The Fort Towson Historic Site is located north of U.S. 70 near Fort Towson.
Find out more »Make-and-Take Greeting Card workshop with Martha Ray
Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host a greeting card class on Saturday, September 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. The instructor is Martha Ray. Participants will learn the history of greeting cards before making at least four finished cards to take home, along with additional supplies to make more. The class is designed for ages 10 and up. It is limited to 15 people. The cost is $20 for members of the Oklahoma Historical Society or Pawnee Bill Ranch…
Find out more »Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI panel discussion
A panel discussion on the horrific murders of wealthy Osage people in the 1920s will take place at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, September 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. The crimes are detailed in David Grann’s 2017 book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. The author will not be present for this event. A movie based on the book will be released in October. Attending the panel discussion costs $10…
Find out more »“Zach Frame Plays Your Favorites” Kilgen Theatre Organ performance
The Oklahoma History Center will host its first Kilgen Theatre Organ performance of the season when Zach Frame will play a series of favorite songs on the instrument, Monday, September 25, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Buy tickets for the performance. Frame discovered the theatre pipe organ at age five when…
Find out more »“Presente in Oklahoma!” Lunch and Learn panel discussion
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. To celebrate the significant contributions of Hispanics in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Historical Society Multicultural Office will host the panel discussion Presente in Oklahoma! The event will take place at the Oklahoma History Center on Tuesday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The panel discussion will focus on contributions to the development of the Hispanic community in the state by consulate offices. Representatives from Latin America in Oklahoma will share the importance of…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring the filmed version of the Broadway Musical The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue (1991)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a Movie Night featuring the filmed version of the Broadway Musical The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue (1991), in its theater on Friday, September 29, at 7 p.m.
“Horsing Around with Will” will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., during which families can enjoy activities and crafts relating to the movie’s theme. 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.
Will Rogers Movie Night is held on the last Friday of the month.
Find out more »Drummond Heirlooms exhibit closes
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 »Cinnamon Roll Social
The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a Cinnamon Roll Social on Saturday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free, and everyone is invited. Guests will enjoy cinnamon rolls cooked on-site in cast iron Dutch ovens under the cooling shade of walnut trees. The sutler store will provide a backdrop that brings to mind a time when soldiers worked, drilled, and received their sustenance on the same piece of ground. Guests will be invited to tour…
Find out more »Potholder Quilt workshop
On Saturday, September 30, at 10 a.m., Hunter’s Home will hold a potholder quilt workshop to teach visitors about the origins of the craft. Participants will make a single square of a potholder quilt to take home. Potholder quilts were popular in the 19th century. They are made with each quilt block individually bound, and the individual pieces are stitched together to form a quilt. You don't need to make any reservations, but regular admission fees apply. For more information,…
Find out more »October 2023
Annual Quilt Show opens
Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host its annual Quilt Show during the month of October, featuring heirloom and modern quilts from across the state. Cimarron Valley Quilt Guild and Pawnee Bill Quilt Guild members are instrumental in putting together this yearly event. The show opens on Sunday, October 1, and closes on Sunday, October 29. There is no charge to view the Quilt Show, which is available to visitors during regular hours of operation. Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum…
Find out more »“Storekeeper and Trader” living history program
For the month of October, the Fort Gibson Historic Site will be holding a living history program every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, and again from 1 to 3 p.m. teaching visitors about the life of a storekeeper and trader at Fort Gibson. From October 3 to 31, visitors can view the goods that would have been bought and traded at the military outpost. The program will be held at the Dog Trot cabin near the…
Find out more »Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe (2022) book review by Justin Lenhart
On Tuesday, October 3, at 7 p.m., the Museum of the Western Prairie will welcome Justin Lenhart, curator at the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, who will review the book Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe. The biography, released in 2022, written by author David Maraniss, explores the colossal athletic skills of Oklahoma’s Jim Thorpe (Sac and Fox), who won gold medals in the decathlon and the pentathlon at the…
Find out more »Hidden Oklahoma: “Early Wichita Sites and Fortifications in Oklahoma” presentation by Dr. Richard Drass
On Wednesday, October 4, at 2 p.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will hold a free webinar on “Early Wichita Sites and Fortifications in Oklahoma,” presented by Dr. Richard Drass, emeritus professor at the University of Oklahoma. Common ideas on early Native American life in the prairie plains of Oklahoma frequently conjure images of mobile Native groups such as the Comanche living in tepees and hunting bison on horseback. Although bison were an essential resource for most…
Find out more »Fireside Chat with Oklahoma’s Governors
On Thursday, October 5, at 10 a.m., the Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Guthrie will host a fireside chat with Oklahoma’s governors. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Invited guests include Governor Kevin Stitt and former governors George Nigh, Frank Keating, Brad Henry, and Mary Fallin. The fireside chat will provide a unique chance for Oklahomans to learn how our state government works while interacting with past and present leaders.…
Find out more »Trust and Betrayal in Osage Country exhibit opens
An exhibit that explores the true-life murders of wealthy Osage people in the 1920s opens on Friday, October 6, inside the Oklahoma History Center Museum. Trust and Betrayal in Osage Country will be displayed in the ONEOK, Inc. Gallery until March 1, 2024.
The crimes are detailed in David Grann’s 2017 book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. A movie based on the murders will be released on Friday, October 20—two weeks after the exhibit opens. It is estimated that two dozen members of the Osage Nation were murdered in the 1920s in a plot to get Osage wealth. Most of the crimes were not investigated by local authorities.
The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Please call 405-522-0765 or visit www.okhistory.org/historycenter for admission costs and group rates.
Find out more »“How to Research Allotments” Lunch and Learn webinar
The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office will hold a Lunch and Learn webinar on Friday, October 6, at noon, focusing on researching land allotments in Oklahoma. Nancy Calhoun, a volunteer and former research librarian for the Oklahoma Historical Society, will be the featured presenter. Allotment was the federal policy of dividing communally held Native land into individually owned private property. Registration for the webinar is required. For more information, contact Kristina Wyckoff, SHPO’s Section 106 coordinator, and historical archaeologist, at…
Find out more »Family Farm Day
On Saturday, October 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate Oklahoma’s proud agricultural heritage at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. Family Farm Day allows families to experience hands-on activities like shelling and grinding corn, churning butter, planting seeds, and milling wheat. In addition, guests can visit a farm animal petting zoo, participate in pumpkin decorating, watch a blacksmith at his trade, and much more! The event will take place at the Humphrey Heritage Village. The museum will also…
Find out more »