Past Events
Events List Navigation
October 2023
Heritage Hills Historic Homes Tour
The Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion will be one of several homes open to the public as part of the Heritage Hills Historic Home Tour on Saturday, October 21, and Sunday, October 22. The self-guided tours allow attendees to explore Heritage Hills' historic homes. Saturday, October 21st, 4–8 p.m. Home Tour attendees are invited to a special evening view of the spectacular homes on this year’s tour. Each tour ticket will include entry to a cocktail reception, two drinks on…
Find out more »Heritage Hills Historic Homes Tour
The Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion will be one of several homes open to the public as part of the Heritage Hills Historic Home Tour on Saturday, October 21, and Sunday, October 22. The self-guided tours allow attendees to explore Heritage Hills' historic homes. Saturday, October 21st, 4–8 p.m. Home Tour attendees are invited to a special evening view of the spectacular homes on this year’s tour. Each tour ticket will include entry to a cocktail reception, two drinks on…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors meeting
The October 25 Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors meeting will be held at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center at 507 South 4th Street, Enid. The Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors meetings occur on the 4th Wednesday of the first month of each quarter at 1:30 p.m. with the exception of the April meeting, which will take place on Friday, April 21, also at 1:30 p.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at…
Find out more »“Going to Church in Old Greer County” presentation and pump organ performance
On Thursday, October 26, at 7 p.m., come to the Museum of the Western Prairie to hear a presentation and special pump organ performance with the theme “Going to Church in Old Greer County.” Guests will learn more about the traditions formed in the pioneering era of the county. The presentation will include a history of early-day churches in southwest Oklahoma, accompanied by hymns played on a pump organ. The event is free and open to the public. The Museum…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring Dracula (1931)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a Movie Night featuring the film Dracula (1931), in its theater on Friday, October 27, 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 »History and Haunts at the Overholser *Sold Out*
In October, the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion will host its annual History and Haunts tours. The evening tours at the historic home will take place on Saturday, October 7, 14, 27, 28, and 29, from 6-8 p.m. each night. Visitors will see the home in its nighttime splendor, learn the history of the house and its former occupants, and discover why some say they are still roaming the halls! Tickets for the general public go on sale Monday, September…
Find out more »Pawnee Bill’s Rolling Thunder Car Show and Fall Festival *postponed due to weather*
Due to weather concerns and ground conditions, the Rolling Thunder Car Show and Fall Festival, previously scheduled for Saturday, October 28, has been postponed.
Find out more »Cemetery Symbols program
The Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue will host a program on the meaning of historic gravestone symbols on Saturday, October 28, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. There will be a lunch break, but lunch is not provided. The event will also include a guided tour of the IOOF Cemetery in Ponca City, led by the museum’s historical interpreter. Tickets are $10 per person. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call the Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue at 580-765-6108. The…
Find out more »“History Never Dies” Halloween carnival
The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library in Guthrie will host its “History Never Dies” Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will have a haunted house with the gang from Scooby Doo theme. Families can enjoy carnival games, treats, prizes, and a cake walk at the two-hour event. Hotdogs and nachos will be served free to all guests. Enjoy Halloween-themed activities inside the museum—all ages and costumes are welcome! The Oklahoma…
Find out more »History and Haunts at the Overholser *Sold Out*
In October, the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion will host its annual History and Haunts tours. The evening tours at the historic home will take place on Saturday, October 7, 14, 27, 28, and 29, from 6-8 p.m. each night. Visitors will see the home in its nighttime splendor, learn the history of the house and its former occupants, and discover why some say they are still roaming the halls! Tickets for the general public go on sale Monday, September…
Find out more »Ghost Stories Tours
Visit the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum for Pawnee Bill Ghost Stories Tours on Saturday, October 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Guides will lead guests on outdoor tours around the ranch site and its buildings, the big barn, log cabin, blacksmith shop, and the mansion. Guests will hear spine-tingling, ghostly tales about Oklahoma, the surrounding area, and the Pawnee Bill Ranch. Tours will leave the museum every 30 minutes, so bundle up for cold weather. The ghostly tales will be…
Find out more »Annual Quilt Show closes
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 »Heritage Hills Halloween Festival
The Heritage Hills Halloween Festival will be held at the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion on Sunday, October 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. A number of fun activities are planned, including face painting, bike and scooter decorating, pumpkin painting, and a bounce house.
Find out more »History and Haunts at the Overholser *Sold Out*
In October, the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion will host its annual History and Haunts tours. The evening tours at the historic home will take place on Saturday, October 7, 14, 27, 28, and 29, from 6-8 p.m. each night. Visitors will see the home in its nighttime splendor, learn the history of the house and its former occupants, and discover why some say they are still roaming the halls! Tickets for the general public go on sale Monday, September…
Find out more »Halloween Night at the Museum (moved indoors)
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host Halloween Night at the Museum on Tuesday, October 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event combines indoor trick-or-treating with an opportunity for children and their families to visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Due to the cold temperatures, area businesses and individuals will share treats inside the museum. There will be a costume contest with prizes for the best costumes. Halloween Night at the Museum is free and open to all ages.…
Find out more »November 2023
Will Rogers Days and Motion Picture Festival
Since the opening of the Will Rogers Memorial in 1938, Claremore has celebrated the birthday of its most famous resident, Will Rogers. Continuing this grand tradition, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host Will Rogers Days November 1-4. The festivities include the 2023 Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival, whiskey tasting event, wreath laying, parade, and birthday party. The Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival features G- and PG-rated films from artists worldwide. The festival entries will be screened daily in the…
Find out more »The People’s House film screening at Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival
On Wednesday, November 1, at 12:30 p.m., The People’s House will be shown at the Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum Theatre in Claremore. The film has earned a nomination in the Dog-Iron Award category. It was directed by Oklahoma native Bryan Beasley and produced with support from the Inasmuch Foundation and the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS). The People’s House covers the in-depth history of the Capitol, the importance of the building, the years-long restoration…
Find out more »Will Rogers Days and Motion Picture Festival
Since the opening of the Will Rogers Memorial in 1938, Claremore has celebrated the birthday of its most famous resident, Will Rogers. Continuing this grand tradition, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host Will Rogers Days November 1-4. The festivities include the 2023 Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival, whiskey tasting event, wreath laying, parade, and birthday party. The Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival features G- and PG-rated films from artists worldwide. The festival entries will be screened daily in the…
Find out more »The Battle of Honey Springs (2021) OHS film televised
The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) and the Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield film The Battle of Honey Springs (2021) is scheduled to air on OETA, Oklahoma’s statewide PBS station, on Thursday, November 2, at 7:30 p.m. It will air again on Saturday, November 4, at 8:30 p.m. on the OETA WORLD Channel. The film documents the largest Civil War battle that took place on July 17, 1863, in present-day Oklahoma, then Indian Territory. Near the community of Honey Springs in…
Find out more »Will Rogers Days and Motion Picture Festival
Since the opening of the Will Rogers Memorial in 1938, Claremore has celebrated the birthday of its most famous resident, Will Rogers. Continuing this grand tradition, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host Will Rogers Days November 1-4. The festivities include the 2023 Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival, whiskey tasting event, wreath laying, parade, and birthday party. The Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival features G- and PG-rated films from artists worldwide. The festival entries will be screened daily in the…
Find out more »Battle of Honey Springs Education Day
On Friday, November 3, beginning at 9 a.m., Honey Springs Battlefield will host the Battle of Honey Springs Education Day. On this day, students from schools across the state and the general public will have the opportunity to explore numerous education stations teaching topics related to the Civil War in Indian Territory and The Battle of Honey Springs. Living historians will demonstrate various military drills, cooking techniques, and other everyday activities for soldiers. There also will be numerous sutlers selling…
Find out more »“Preservation and Care of Photographs” workshop
Learn how to preserve your photos in a workshop at the Oklahoma History Center on Friday, November 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. “Preservation and Care of Photographs Workshop” will be put on in partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society’s John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center, which has an estimated 11 million images in its archives. The workshop will focus on teaching participants how to care for their photographs. The class costs $20 for members of the Oklahoma Historical Society…
Find out more »Will Rogers Days and Motion Picture Festival
Since the opening of the Will Rogers Memorial in 1938, Claremore has celebrated the birthday of its most famous resident, Will Rogers. Continuing this grand tradition, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host Will Rogers Days November 1-4. The festivities include the 2023 Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival, whiskey tasting event, wreath laying, parade, and birthday party. The Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival features G- and PG-rated films from artists worldwide. The festival entries will be screened daily in the…
Find out more »Blacksmithing Demonstrations with the Saltfork Craftsmen
Visit the Cherokee Strip Museum in Perry to watch the Saltfork Craftsmen give a blacksmithing demonstration on Saturday, November 4. The forge will be lit at 10 a.m., and the demonstrations will take place until 2 p.m. The Saltfork Craftsmen Artist-Blacksmith Association is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional craftsmen. Guests can watch the craftsmen work and will have an opportunity for safe hands-on experiences. This educational event is free to attend, but donations are appreciated. For more information,…
Find out more »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 »Pawnee Bill’s Rolling Thunder Car Show and Fall Festival
On Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host Pawnee Bill’s Rolling Thunder Car Show and Fall Festival, presented by the Old Time Saturday Night Car Club.
The fall community event will include a car show where the public will see a variety of classic cruisers, custom cars and trucks, antique vehicles, hot rods, farm trucks, tractors, and motorcycles parked on the grounds of the historic home of Pawnee Bill and May Lillie. There is a $15 vehicle charge to enter the car show. Tractor pulls, and mini bike drag racing will take place throughout the day, along with the car show.
A host of family-friendly activities are planned for the festival, including a hay maze, hayrides, a bounce house, cornhole, and horseshoe games. Guests can watch a blacksmith at work, cowboy whip tricks, and the art of rope making. Live music will be performed throughout the day by Kenny Bond. Concessions and food trucks will be available throughout the event.
Admission to the event is $10 per car. All activities are included with paid admission except pumpkin painting. For more information, please call 918-762-2513.
This event is sponsored by the Pawnee Bill Ranch Association, the Pawnee Chamber of Commerce and the Old Time Saturday Night Car Club. All proceeds will help purchase a new team of draft horses and help maintain animal programs at the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum.
Find out more »“Territory of Lincoln” workshop
The Oklahoma History Center will host a free workshop on Saturday, November 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to discuss the Territory of Lincoln. After Abraham Lincoln was killed, several proposals were made to take existing Territories and make a state named “Lincoln.” Yet, during the Civil War, maps were created that labeled Indian Territory, now present-day Oklahoma, as “Lincoln.” The workshop will explore the brief history window when the area known today as Oklahoma was considered for a…
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 »Cast-Iron Cooking class *class is full*
The Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher will host a Cast-Iron Cooking class on Saturday, November 4, from noon to 5 p.m. Students will learn to care for and cook in cast-iron cookware in this casual, fun class. Participants will create a Dutch oven delight and participate in a group meal. The class will explore historical and modern recipes while learning backyard cooking skills. This class is restricted to children ages 10 and older with an adult. The cost for the…
Find out more »The Battle of Honey Springs (2021) OHS film televised
The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) and the Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield film The Battle of Honey Springs (2021) is scheduled to air on OETA, Oklahoma’s statewide PBS station, on Thursday, November 2, at 7:30 p.m. It will air again on Saturday, November 4, at 8:30 p.m. on the OETA WORLD Channel. The film documents the largest Civil War battle that took place on July 17, 1863, in present-day Oklahoma, then Indian Territory. Near the community of Honey Springs in…
Find out more »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 »“Working with the National Register of Historic Places: An Overview” webinar
On Monday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to noon (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will have a webinar featuring an overview of working with the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Matthew Pearce is the featured presenter. NRHP is the foundation of the SHPO’s programs, and a basic understanding of the register is essential for those involved in historic preservation at all levels of government and in the private sector. This workshop provides detailed information about what listing…
Find out more »“Do’s and Don’ts: Best Practices for National Register Nominations” webinar
On Tuesday, November 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will have a free webinar about the do's and don’ts of preparing a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination, which can be challenging. Matthew Pearce is the featured presenter. In addition to discussing common mistakes that NRHP nomination reviewers encounter, this workshop will introduce best practices for defining integrity and significance. It will also outline photograph and mapping guidelines. This workshop is directed…
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 »Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
On Monday, November 13, from 10 to 11 a.m., the State Historic Preservation Office will present a free webinar to provide training on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). This training is designed to provide an introduction or a refresher to Section 106 of the NHPA. The featured presenter is Kristina Wyckoff, Section 106 coordinator, and historic archaeologist. She will explain the importance of the Section 106 process and assist anyone involved in that process in Oklahoma.…
Find out more »Archaeological Investigations and Site Evaluations
On Tuesday, November 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will have a free webinar about how to go about archaeological investigations and site evaluations. Kristina Wyckoff, Section 106 coordinator and historic archaeologist for SHPO, will be the featured presenter. Register for the webinar.
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 »The Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program: An Overview
On Thursday, November 14, 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 »Chunky Knit Blanket workshop
On Thursday, November 16, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host a chunky knit blanket workshop. Participants will be guided through the hand-knitting process to create a cozy, one-of-a-kind blanket they can take home. Making the blanket does not require needles or any knitting experience. The workshop will be led by staff from AR Workshop in Stillwater. The class costs $89, which includes all the materials needed to make a 40” x 50” blanket. Attendees will…
Find out more »Oklahoma Territorial Museum 50th Anniversary Celebration *canceled*
The fundraising dinner and program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Oklahoma Territorial Museum planned for Thursday, November 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Guthrie Depot, has been canceled. The Oklahoma Territorial Museum opened to the public on November 16, 1973. It tells the story of the determined people who laid the foundation for the state of Oklahoma.
Find out more »