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July 2023
Hands-On Historic Skills: Choctaw Nation’s “Growing Hope” Program
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 [email protected] or call 580-873-2634. The Fort Towson Historic Site is located north of U.S. 70 near Fort Towson.
Find out more »August 2023
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 »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 »September 2023
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 [email protected] or call 580-873-2634. The Fort Towson Historic Site is located north of U.S. 70 near Fort Towson.
Find out more »October 2023
Japanese Stone Craftsman seminar with stone artist Takaaki Saida *fully booked*
On Saturday, October 14, from 3 to 5 p.m., a free seminar on Japanese stone crafts will be held at the Oklahoma History Center. The Japan America Society of Oklahoma, (a non-profit organization promoting Japan-US relations and culture in Oklahoma) organized the event. The seminar will include an overview of the traditions and practices in the art of stone and lantern sculpting, including the history of the Kamaoka stones and the techniques passed on by several generations since 1889. Takaaki…
Find out more »November 2023
The Battle of Honey Springs Civil War Demonstrations
Honey Springs Battlefield near Checotah will host biennial demonstrations of the Civil War Battle of Honey Springs on Saturday, November 4, and Sunday, November 5. On both days, special living history stations will open at 10 a.m., and the Battle of Honey Springs Civil War demonstrations will take place at 1 p.m. Visitors will see military drills, demonstrations, and living history programs while also getting the chance to tour Confederate, Union, and civilian camps, and explore “Sutlers’ Row,” featuring vendors selling…
Find out more »December 2023
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 »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 »January 2024
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip with musical group Zoetrope
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 Saturday, January 6, the musical group Zoetrope will play traditional songs of yesteryear during the History Alive! event. 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…
Find out more »“Soldiers on Post” living history program
From Thursday, January 11, through Saturday, January 13, the Fort Gibson Historic Site will hold a living history program from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. On those days, visitors will be able to observe what life was like for “Soldiers on Post.” Living history demonstrations will include weapons care, winter maintenance, KP duty, and examples of what soldiers did to keep themselves entertained during the winter months. The program is free with admission. Admission is…
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 »February 2024
Blacksmithing Demonstration
On Saturday, February 3, the Cherokee Strip Museum 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. 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 »March 2024
2024 Oklahoma Farm-to-Table Festival
The Oklahoma History Center will hold the 2024 Oklahoma Farm-to-Table Festival on Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will encourage the exploration of historic and modern agriculture. There will be hands-on activities and demonstrations for visitors of all ages. The festival will offer many educational opportunities and experiences, including chuckwagon cooking and nutrition demonstrations, livestock, a petting zoo, various crafts, and story time. In addition, several Made-in-Oklahoma vendors will attend to illustrate how their products…
Find out more »Artillery Demonstrations
On Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Honey Springs Battlefield will host artillery demonstrations highlighting the use of Civil War-era firearms. This outdoor education station will inform visitors about military drills, artillery practices, and ammunition used in the Civil War Battle of Honey Springs. Guests are encouraged to explore the east gallery exhibit hall featuring 14 audio players with recordings from first-hand, written accounts of soldiers who fought at the Battle of Honey Springs. Exhibit installations also…
Find out more »Spring Break Activities
Spend afternoons during spring break at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Events are planned every day from March 18 to 22 between 1 and 3 p.m. to keep kids learning and entertained during their school break. Each activity is based on some aspect of Will Rogers’ extraordinary life, ranging from his time as a cowboy to his love of aviation. All children under 17 are admitted free during spring break thanks to a donation by Win and Kay Ingersoll. The…
Find out more »Chuck Wagon Gathering
Visit the Chisholm Trail Museum on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day filled with cowboy fun! Drop in and see a variety of working chuck wagons from across the region as they prepare some of their favorite dishes. Activities include live music by Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road, cooking demonstrations with sample food, gunfights, Wild West Show performers, Medicine Man shows, and more. Make sure to visit thechisholm.org for parking information, schedules, and more!…
Find out more »April 2024
Spring Bake Day
Twice each year, OHS staff act as historical reenactors and bake bread in Fort Gibson’s original wood-fired oven from 1863. Spring Bake Day is an educational event that allows the public to experience one aspect of army life that occurred during and after the Civil War. On Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the smell of fresh-baked bread will once again permeate the Fort Gibson Historic Site. Staff will operate the oven all day on April 6, and the fresh loaves…
Find out more »Something to Grow About: Earth Day Native Plant and Seed Swap
Gardeners and eco-enthusiasts will delight in the celebration of Earth Day at the Pawnee Bill Ranch on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A native plant swap, a seed buffet, and loads of gardening tips, tricks, and activities will be a part of the “Something to Grow About” event. Join in sharing plants and seeds. Participants are encouraged to bring labeled seeds and plants for the swap. Agricultural experts will be available to teach about planting techniques,…
Find out more »May 2024
“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 »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 »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 »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 »“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 »June 2024
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 »Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show
On Saturday, June 8, The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will celebrate the lives and showmanship of Major Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie and his wife, May Lillie, with Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show, which will be held at the historic ranch site. This grand reenactment will transport audiences to experience the historical Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show exhibitions through the sights and sounds of genuine Western entertainment. They will be transported to an era when entertainers thrilled and amazed audiences…
Find out more »Will’s Wild West Kids Camp *camp is full*
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum has teamed up with the Boy Scouts of America to bring the Pinewood Derby to Wild West Kid’s Camp. The camp, a family favorite at the museum, runs Monday, June 17 through Wednesday, June 19. Over 150 children ages 5-12 will spend their morning at the museum and experience stagecoach rides, nature talks, stickball, Cherokee storytelling, and, this year, the Pinewood Derby. Will’s Wild West Kid’s Camp has been so popular that slots were full…
Find out more »September 2024
“School of the Soldier: Basic 1830s Drills” living history program
The Fort Gibson Historic Site will hold living history programs in September. They will be held on September 12–13 and 19–21 from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 4 p.m. Fort Gibson Historic Site staff will center the programs on the theme of “School of the Soldier: Basic 1830s Drills.” Soldiers needed to drill several hours daily, 5 to 6 days a week, to prepare for duty. This was not only part of their exercise regimen but…
Find out more »November 2024
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 »March 2025
How to Create Marbled Paper
On Saturday, March 15, Hunter’s Home will have a program that will teach guests how to marble paper using methods from the 1850s. Throughout this program, we will discuss the history, popularity, and uses of marbled paper during the 1850s. Each guest will have a one-of-a-kind piece of art to take home with them, allowing this ancient craft to continue. Interested parties should register in advance for this class, which costs $10 per person. To register, please call 918-456-2751. Hunter’s…
Find out more »Spring Break Activities
Spend afternoons during spring break at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Events are planned every day from March 17 to 21 between 1 and 3 p.m. to keep kids learning and entertained during their school break. Each activity is based on some aspect of Will Rogers’ extraordinary life, ranging from his time as a cowboy to his love of aviation. Thanks to a donation by Win and Kay Ingersoll, all children under 17 are admitted free during spring break. The…
Find out more »Spring Break Activities
Spend afternoons during spring break at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Events are planned every day from March 17 to 21 between 1 and 3 p.m. to keep kids learning and entertained during their school break. Each activity is based on some aspect of Will Rogers’ extraordinary life, ranging from his time as a cowboy to his love of aviation. Thanks to a donation by Win and Kay Ingersoll, all children under 17 are admitted free during spring break. The…
Find out more »Spring Break Activities
Spend afternoons during spring break at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Events are planned every day from March 17 to 21 between 1 and 3 p.m. to keep kids learning and entertained during their school break. Each activity is based on some aspect of Will Rogers’ extraordinary life, ranging from his time as a cowboy to his love of aviation. Thanks to a donation by Win and Kay Ingersoll, all children under 17 are admitted free during spring break. The…
Find out more »Spring Break Activities
Spend afternoons during spring break at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Events are planned every day from March 17 to 21 between 1 and 3 p.m. to keep kids learning and entertained during their school break. Each activity is based on some aspect of Will Rogers’ extraordinary life, ranging from his time as a cowboy to his love of aviation. Thanks to a donation by Win and Kay Ingersoll, all children under 17 are admitted free during spring break. The…
Find out more »Spring Break Activities
Spend afternoons during spring break at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Events are planned every day from March 17 to 21 between 1 and 3 p.m. to keep kids learning and entertained during their school break. Each activity is based on some aspect of Will Rogers’ extraordinary life, ranging from his time as a cowboy to his love of aviation. Thanks to a donation by Win and Kay Ingersoll, all children under 17 are admitted free during spring break. The…
Find out more »2025 Oklahoma Farm-to-Table Festival
The Oklahoma History Center will hold the 2025 Oklahoma Farm-to-Table Festival on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will encourage the exploration of historic and modern agriculture. There will be hands-on activities and demonstrations for visitors of all ages. The festival will offer many educational opportunities and experiences, including chuckwagon cooking and nutrition demonstrations, livestock, a petting zoo, various crafts, and story time. In addition, several Made-in-Oklahoma vendors will attend to illustrate how…
Find out more »April 2025
Mounted Rangers Living History program
On Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, visitors to Fort Gibson Historic Site can experience living history as reenactors portray Mounted Rangers at the historic military outpost. They will stay in the 19th-century palisade and offer demonstrations on various aspects of life as a Mounted Ranger during that period. The weekend will provide numerous educational opportunities to learn more about their service at Fort Gibson in 1832. Mounted Rangers carried weapons and equipment during their assignments, and this program…
Find out more »Spring Bake Day
The aroma of freshly baked bread will fill the Fort Gibson Historic Site once again. The site’s annual spring bake day is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff members will operate the oven throughout the day, with fresh loaves of bread available around noon and at 3:30 p.m. Twice each year, OHS staff act as historical reenactors and bake bread in Fort Gibson’s original wood-fired oven from 1863. Spring Bake Day is an educational event that…
Find out more »Mounted Rangers Living History program
On Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, visitors to Fort Gibson Historic Site can experience living history as reenactors portray Mounted Rangers at the historic military outpost. They will stay in the 19th-century palisade and offer demonstrations on various aspects of life as a Mounted Ranger during that period. The weekend will provide numerous educational opportunities to learn more about their service at Fort Gibson in 1832. Mounted Rangers carried weapons and equipment during their assignments, and this program…
Find out more »“Something to Grow About”: Earth Day Activities
The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host a seed swap along with other family-friendly activities on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. “Something to Grow About” will feature a native plant/seed exchange, interactive gardening workshops, and more. Guests can bring labeled seeds and plants for the swap. They will learn about and take home native pollinator plants and seeds. Other workshops and demonstrations will teach attendees about planting, composting,…
Find out more »