Events for April 1, 2022 - May 7, 2022
Events List Navigation
April 2022
Hammered Aluminum Ware exhibit opens
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home will host the exhibit Hammered Aluminum Ware during the month of April. From Friday, April 1 to Saturday, April 30, visitors can view beautiful examples of hammered aluminum metalware, such as salad dishes, cookie trays, and pitchers with matching tumblers. During the early 1900s up to the 1950s, when most housewives were expected to entertain, many would use cheaper, lighter hammered aluminum for their card games, birthday celebrations, church events, and monthly coffee socials…
Find out more »Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission meeting
The meeting of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission will be held on Tuesday, April 5 at 1 p.m. Agendas will be posted at www.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 »“Kansas Abolitionist and the Civil War” presentation by Debra Goodrich
Honey Springs Visitor Center will host Ms. Debra Goodrich on Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m. for a special presentation about life and career of former Union Army Officer of the Second Indian Home Guard, who fought at the Battle of Honey Springs, John Ritchie. Ms. Debra Goodrich will detail Ritchie’s history beginning with his involvement as an abolitionist in Kansas during the Bleeding Kansas years leading to the Civil War, his involvement as a delegate in two Kansas Constitutional…
Find out more »Special Meeting of the Board of Directors
The Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors will be holding a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors on Friday, April 8, at 1:30 p.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at www.okhistory.org/board. This meeting will be held at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City.
Find out more »American Battlefield Trust Park Day
On Saturday, April 9, The Fort Towson Historic Site is participating in the American Battlefield Trust's annual Park Day event. History enthusiasts from across the country take part in an effort to help keep our nation’s heritage not only preserved but pristine. Since 1996, American Battlefield Trust has sponsored Park Day, an annual hands-on preservation event to help Civil War—and now Revolutionary War and War of 1812—battlefields and historic sites take on maintenance projects large and small. Those interested in…
Find out more »Quilting workshop with Martha Ray *canceled*
Visit the Sod House Museum southeast of Aline for a quilting workshop on Saturday. The workshop will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. with instructor Martha Ray, and the cost is $5 per person. For more information, please contact Director Renee Trindle at 580-463-2441 or sodhouse@okhistory.org.
The Sod House Museum seeks to preserve Oklahoma’s only remaining sod house and interprets the early-day lifestyles of a pioneer, from the establishment of the Cherokee Outlet in 1893 to 1920. The museum encloses the original sod house which is the key exhibit. Visitors can enjoy the experience of walking through the “soddy” and exploring exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and a root cellar. The artifacts and exhibits portray the daily activities of the pioneers.
Find out more »“Perspectives in History”: The Oklahoma History Symposium
The Oklahoma Historical Society will present “Perspectives in History,” the 2022 Oklahoma History Symposium, on Saturday, April 9, 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 through presentations centered on topics in Oklahoma’s history. Three professional development sessions also will be offered for museum professionals, volunteers, and students. The symposium will feature a book signing and keynote speech by Connie Cronley,…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Membership meeting
A meeting of the membership of the Oklahoma Historical Society will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11 a.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at www.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 »Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors organizational meeting
An organizational meeting of the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 11:15 a.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at www.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 »“Historic Skills and Trades Expo” Second Saturday Demo
Fort Towson Historic Site will host “Historic Skills and Trades Expo” Second Saturday Demo on Saturday, April 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. Guests are welcome to watch and learn as craftsmen and artisans demonstrate how objects were made before industrialization. Historical interpreters will be demonstrating the art of candle making, wooden bucket making, the operation of a wooden lathe, the preparation of black powder, and a cooking demonstration. Living history reenactors will be on hand to explain a variety…
Find out more »#ExploreOHS Travel Contest concludes
The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) #ExploreOHS Travel Contest will conclude on Sunday, April 10. From March 10 to April 10, 2022, participants will travel to OHS museums and historic sites across the state—competing to see who can visit the most sites! This contest is open to the public, and all entries must be submitted on social media using the #ExploreOHS hashtag. See below for eligibility requirements and details about how you can participate. The person (or family/group traveling together) who…
Find out more »“Common Soldier” living history program
On April 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fort Gibson Historic Site will host its first living history program of the season, exploring the types of common soldiers who were stationed at the frontier military post. Farmers, blacksmiths, hunters, coopers and even carpenters made up the ranks of those posted to Fort Gibson. Visitors can learn about the reasons common men joined the army and what clothing and equipment they would have used while there. This program…
Find out more »Cobweb broom making class with Maddox Cott
Hunter’s Home in Park Hill will host a broom making workshop on Friday, April 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. Historical interpreter Maddox Cott will teach class participants all the steps to create a 19th-century handcrafted broom that they can take home and use. The class will be limited to 10 participants and costs $25 for materials and instruction. Please call Hunter’s Home at 918-456-2751 for more information or to register. No refunds will be issued on the day of…
Find out more »Annual Easter Egg Hunt
On Saturday, April 16, the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Egg Hunt is cosponsored by the local Pawnee Lions Club and the Pawnee Chamber of Commerce. The hunt will begin promptly at 10 a.m., signaled by Pawnee Bill, portrayed by Kevin Webb, firing his pistol. The Egg Hunt is spread out over many acres of the historic site. Thousands of eggs will be hidden, including gold and silver prize eggs containing money and vouchers for treats.
Pawnee Bill started an egg hunt at his ranch more than one hundred years ago. It is in that tradition that the ranch continues to be a place where families can make memories with their children in a beautiful environment.
If you would like to be a volunteer egg hider for this event, be at the Pawnee Bill Ranch at 8 a.m. and you will be put to work hiding eggs to ensure the success of the event.
Find out more »Will’s Cowboy Trader Days at the Ranch
On the third Saturday of the month from April to October, make the trip to the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Oologah to take part in Will's Cowboy Trader Days. See locally handcrafted and homemade items, saddles, cowboy hats, tack, boots, and a variety of work created by local artisans from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is FREE. To learn more about events and programs at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and Birthplace Ranch, visit www.willrogers.com, contact wrinfo@willrogers.com, or call 918-341-0719.…
Find out more »Make and Take Workshop: Pin Cushions
Join us for History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip on Saturday, April 16 for a special Make & Take Workshop! We are making woodland creature pin cushions in the historic Humphrey Heritage Village. Cut out your material, sew it all together, and learn a heritage skill! The workshop will be led by historic seamstress Marna Davis. This special workshop is $20 per person. Register now! Spots in the workshop are limited and will go quickly! Not only does your ticket…
Find out more »Easter Egg Hunt
Visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum for the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16. This year, the museum is teaming up with Cedar Point Church to offer this event. The egg hunt begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. on the museum grounds, so be sure to arrive early. The Easter Bunny will hide thousands of candy-filled eggs for the children to find, and some eggs will contain special prizes. Please call 918-341-0719 for more information.
Find out more »Family Day at the Birthplace Ranch
Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch will host Family Day at the Ranch from 1 to 3 p.m. Through 19th-century hands-on activities, crafts, games, and demonstrations, visitors will get a glimpse of what life was like in the early days of the ranch during Will Rogers’s childhood! Families can also enjoy hayride tours and mini hikes at the Birthplace Ranch. Family Day at the Ranch is free and open to the public, and donations are appreciated.
Find out more »Sunrise Service
On Easter Sunday, April 17, the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host its annual nondenominational Sunrise Service. The service will begin at approximately 7 a.m. on Blue Hawk Peak, the highest point on the ranch grounds. The service is led by the Pawnee Ministerial Alliance and is a community-wide tradition. Participants are asked to bring their own seating and dress appropriately for the outdoors. Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum is located at 1141 Pawnee Bill Road in Pawnee.
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting *canceled*
The Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting that was scheduled to take place on April 20, 2022 has been canceled. Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at www.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 »Thursday Night Lecture Series featuring author Matthew Kerns
On Thursday, April 21, Matthew Kerns, author of Texas Jack: America’s First Cowboy (2021), will make a presentation at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum about Texas Jack, one of the first well-known cowboys in America.
Find out more »Free Museum Day
The Oklahoma Territorial Museum will open its doors to visitors on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with FREE ADMISSION in conjunction with the 2022 '89er Parade and Celebration, taking place in Historic Downtown Guthrie. The Oklahoma Territorial Museum is located at 406 East Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie. To see all of the scheduled events for '89er Days from April 20–23, 2022, click here.
Find out more »Handcrafted Soap Making class
Join the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for a hands-on class exploring the art of handcrafted soap making using both historic and modern methods. Participants will learn how to make old-fashioned lye soap, discuss the history of making soap, and craft their own soaps to take home. Register online. The registration deadline is April 13. Only $20 will be refunded if your cancelation occurs after the registration deadline. The cost of the…
Find out more »“From Broadway to Hollywood” Kilgen Organ performance featuring Ken Double
The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) is pleased to announce the next in its series of Kilgen Organ performances on Monday, April 25, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. featuring award-winning organist Ken Double. The theme of Double’s performance will be “From Broadway to Hollywood.” Tickets are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers, and may be reserved by calling 405-522-0765. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Oklahoma History Center…
Find out more »“Shut the Door! Barns in Oklahoma: Three-Bay and Crib Barns in Oklahoma” webinar
The State Historic Preservation Office is holding a series of webinars entitled "Shut the Door! Barns in Oklahoma" featuring presenters who specialize in barn history, construction, and restoration. On Tuesday, April 26, the topic will be "Three-Bay and Crib Barns in Oklahoma." Presentations will be held every other month on the last Tuesday at 6 p.m. The webinars will be limited to the first 100 registrants. June 28 - "Use of Stone and Bank Barns in Oklahoma August 30 -…
Find out more »“19th-Century Trading” living history program
On April 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fort Gibson Historic Site will hold a living history program about 19th-century trading. This program will provide an interpretation of trade that occurred among the American Indian nations and other settlers in the area. When Fort Gibson was established in 1824, it was the westernmost military outpost of its day. With 300–500 hundred troops stationed there, the fort was a supply point and bustling center for the trade activity…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring Twister (1996)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a Movie Night featuring the film Twister (1996) in its theater on Friday, April 29, at 7 p.m. Did you know? According to the National Weather Service, Rogers County has been struck by over 85 tornadoes since 1897. Some of the largest (F-4 on the Fujita Scale) occurred in the years 1991 and 1993. Prior to the movie, "Horsing Around with Will" will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., during which…
Find out more »Silver Selections from the USS Oklahoma exhibit closes
The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) has Silver Selections from the USS Oklahoma on exhibit to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The exhibit, featuring pieces from the USS Oklahoma's silver service, will be open from December 7, 2021 through April 30, 2022 , in the third-floor atrium and may be viewed during regular museum hours. The tradition of creating presentation silver sets for United States warships of the “first rank” began with the USS Maine in the…
Find out more »Hammered Aluminum Ware exhibit closes
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home will host the exhibit Hammered Aluminum Ware during the month of April. From Friday, April 1 to Saturday, April 30, visitors can view beautiful examples of hammered aluminum metalware, such as salad dishes, cookie trays, and pitchers with matching tumblers. During the early 1900s up to the 1950s, when most housewives were expected to entertain, many would use cheaper, lighter hammered aluminum for their card games, birthday celebrations, church events, and monthly coffee socials…
Find out more »“19th-Century Trading” living history program
On April 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fort Gibson Historic Site will hold a living history program about 19th-century trading. This program will provide an interpretation of trade that occurred among the American Indian nations and other settlers in the area. When Fort Gibson was established in 1824, it was the westernmost military outpost of its day. With 300–500 hundred troops stationed there, the fort was a supply point and bustling center for the trade activity…
Find out more »May 2022
Will to Win (2020) presentation by Jim Stovall
On Tuesday, May 3, from 7 to 8 p.m., award-winning author Jim Stovall will be discussing his latest book Will to Win and the efforts to bring it to the big screen. Stovall will be joined on stage with Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry, the great-granddaughter of Will Rogers. "Will to Win" is a part of the Homecoming Historical Series and features a tale of humor and perspective from Will Rogers High School. Stovall is an Oklahoma author whose novel The Ultimate Gift (2001)…
Find out more »Oklahoma National History Day 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 4, and Thursday, May 5, more than 200 6th through 12th grade students will present their exhibits, documentaries, performances, websites and papers at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City for the opportunity to advance to the National History Day® contest held each summer. Due to the size of the event, there will…
Find out more »Oklahoma National History Day 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 4, and Thursday, May 5, more than 200 6th through 12th grade students will present their exhibits, documentaries, performances, websites and papers at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City for the opportunity to advance to the National History Day® contest held each summer. Due to the size of the event, there will…
Find out more »Museum After Dark: Gaslight Theatre’s The Importance of Being Earnest
In May, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will host five special performances in partnership with the Gaslight Theatre of Enid. Players will perform an adaption of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest using all of the buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village as their stage. Performances will be held on May 6, 7, 8, 13, and 14, 2022. Purchase tickets The Gaslight Theatre of Enid, Oklahoma, was founded in 1966 under its original name of Enid Community Theatre. It…
Find out more »Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit closes
The Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition Crossroads: Change in Rural America will be on display at the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum until May 7, 2022 in the historic Big Barn of the property. Americans come together at the crossroads. They invest in places and build their futures where their paths cross. Small towns became centers of commerce, trade, local politics, and culture. For some, the crossroads affirmed a new life in a new place. For others,…
Find out more »Museum After Dark: Gaslight Theatre’s The Importance of Being Earnest
In May, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will host five special performances in partnership with the Gaslight Theatre of Enid. Players will perform an adaption of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest using all of the buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village as their stage. Performances will be held on May 6, 7, 8, 13, and 14, 2022. Purchase tickets The Gaslight Theatre of Enid, Oklahoma, was founded in 1966 under its original name of Enid Community Theatre. It…
Find out more »Birthday Bash and Archaeology Day
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center will be having a Birthday Bash and Archaeology Day to celebrate the opening of the Spiro Mounds on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site will celebrate its 44th year of increasing awareness of Oklahoma archaeology on this free public day with no entrance fees, although donations are gratefully accepted. All day during the celebration birthday cake will be served. Along with the birthday celebration, demonstrations of flintknapping (stone tool making), lectures,…
Find out more »Blacksmithing and Wheel Setting Demonstrations with Tom Nelson
Visit the Cherokee Strip Museum in Perry on May 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a special blacksmithing demonstration in the art of wheel setting. In addition to activities held in the blacksmith shop, the museum's resident blacksmith, Tom Nelson, will be demonstrating the advanced art of setting of a wagon wheel and a buggy wheel. The wheel-setting demonstrations will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The wheelwright's craft goes back thousands of years, and was…
Find out more »“Fleece to Fabric” Sheep-Shearing Event
Hunter’s Home in Park Hill will host the "Fleece to Fabric" sheep-shearing event on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can observe the Hunter’s Home staff as they shear the site’s flock of heritage Merino sheep from 10 a.m. to noon. Other wool fiber arts activities like dyeing, spinning and the various techniques of processing wool also will be demonstrated throughout the day until 4:30 p.m. Hunter's Home is the only remaining antebellum plantation mansion in…
Find out more »Milliner (hat-making) class
Learn the history of Edwardian milliners and create your own hat in the Oklahoma History Center’s Milliner class on Saturday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This class is recommended for ages twelve and up. Space is limited! Registration is $50 for OHS members and $70 for nonmembers; all supplies are included. Coffee and water will be provided. Participants should bring their own lunch. Register online Milliner class at the Oklahoma Historical Society. Photo by The Oklahoman.
Find out more »