Classes and Programs
at the Oklahoma History Center
OETA’s Back In Time: “Woody Guthrie” Screening and Panel Discussion
Thursday, October 8
The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), in partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma History Center, invites the public to a special premiere screening examining the life of Woody Guthrie. This screening will be on Thursday, October 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center Museum.
Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, Woody Guthrie became one of America’s most influential folk musicians, using songs and stories to capture the struggles, hopes, and experiences of everyday people.
Be among the first to see this new Back In Time episode as we trace Guthrie’s journey from his Oklahoma roots to a career that would influence generations of musicians and help shape American folk music. Following the screening, stay for a special panel discussion featuring Cady Shaw and Sam Flowers from the Woody Guthrie Center. They will share their unique perspectives on Guthrie’s life, work, and connection to Oklahoma.
This event is free, but registration is encouraged as seating is limited.
Year of the Cat Film Screening
Saturday, October 10
On Saturday, October 10, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., in partnership with the Vietnamese American Heritage Community of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma History Center Museum will screen the film Year of the Cat (2025).
Year of the Cat follows filmmaker Tony Nguyen on an extraordinary quest to solve the mystery of his father, lost in the chaos of the Fall of Saigon 50 years ago. Crafted as an investigative home movie, this intensely raw documentary weaves together moments of humor and heartache, offering an intimate look at how the children of refugees are shaped by war and loss. As Tony delves into his family’s history, the film reveals the emotional toll we pay to confront the past—and the possibility of healing as we reclaim and transform our futures.
The screening is free and open to the public.
About the Filmmaker
Tony Nguyen is an Oakland-based filmmaker whose work explores the Vietnamese refugee experience (Enforcing the Silence, Giap’s Last Day at the Ironing Board Factory) and the overlooked stories of folks and communities in the town (Fresh Frozen, I See Me). He is the video producer for Asian Health Services, a community health center with roots in Oakland Chinatown that serves over 50,000 residents. His latest film, Year of the Cat, premiered in 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, and has garnered several awards, including the CAAMFEST Audience Award and the Spotlight Award at the Viet Film Fest in Orange County.
“Exploring Tribal Sovereignty through Constitutional History” Professional Development Workshop (Full)
Saturday, October 24
This workshop is full, but you may join the waitlist . Teachers, join the National Constitution Center and the Oklahoma History Center Museum on Saturday, October 24, 10:15 a.m.–4 p.m., for a professional development workshop exploring the history of tribal sovereignty through constitutional history and primary-source inquiry.
During this workshop, educators will examine the constitutional and judicial history of tribal sovereignty through the National Constitution Center’s nonpartisan educational framework. Participants will analyze historical documents and judicial decisions, consider how the Constitution and federal law have shaped the relationship between tribal nations and the United States, and make connections to Oklahoma academic standards.
Participants will examine the role of tribal sovereignty in Oklahoma communities today, including its connections to government, language, and cultural preservation. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the constitutional and judicial history of tribal sovereignty, a greater understanding of its role in Oklahoma today, and practical strategies for helping students engage in careful, evidence-based discussion of this important part of Oklahoma and American history.
Participating teachers will receive a $100 stipend, and those traveling over 60 miles to attend are eligible for an additional $50 travel stipend. All participants will receive a light breakfast and boxed lunch (dietary restrictions will be accommodated).
View Workshop Agenda
- 10:15 a.m. – Registration (Light breakfast and coffee will be provided)
- 10:30 a.m. – Constitutional Inquiry: The Marshall Trilogy with Michael Davis and Nick Hegge, National Constitution Center
- 12 p.m. – Lunch provided
- 12:30 p.m. – Primary Source Exploration with Mallory Covington, Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center
- 1 p.m. – Teaching the Impacts of the Reconstruction Treaties of 1866 with Carrie Fox
- 2:25 p.m. – What Does Tribal Sovereignty Look Like since the 1970s? with Jacqui Robb, Osage County Interlocal Cooperative
- 4 p.m. – Programming concludes, and participants are encouraged to explore the Oklahoma History Center Museum until 5 p.m. closing.
Open House: Haunt the Museum
Thursday, October 29
Step into the Oklahoma History Center Museum on Thursday, October 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. for an unforgettable evening adventure. Experience the thrill of exploring the museum after hours.
Prepare for a night filled with Halloween thrills and spine-tingling surprises. Be sure to wear your favorite costume and embark on a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt through the galleries, create your own spooky crafts, and gather around for ghost stories told by candlelight in the Chesapeake with living history presenters. Before you head home, grab a handful of trick-or-treat candy to sweeten your night.
All Haunt the Museum activities are included with admission.
Vietnam War: Untold Stories from the South—Trials, Triumphs, & Tragedies Documentary Screening
Saturday, November 7
A powerful new documentary that centers on the lived experiences and overlooked perspectives of South Vietnam and the Vietnamese diaspora will be shown at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, November 7, from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Vietnam War: Untold Stories from the South — Trials, Triumphs, & Tragedies (2025) documentary reexamines the war through the experiences of South Vietnamese civilians, soldiers, political prisoners, refugees, and families whose stories have too often been overlooked, distorted, or excluded from mainstream historical narratives. Drawing on extensive research, archival materials, and firsthand testimony, the film explores communist land reform, wartime violence, political persecution, media bias, reeducation camps, the refugee exodus, and the conflict’s lasting human consequences. Central to the documentary is the historical argument that Hồ Chí Minh and the Vietnamese Communist Party began their campaign to conquer South Vietnam by force years before American combat troops arrived.
The screening is free and open to the public, but museum admission is required to visit the galleries.
About the Producer
Nam Pham, the producer of Vietnam War: Untold Stories from the South — Trials, Triumphs & Tragedies, is a Vietnamese American documentary filmmaker, author, and community leader committed to preserving the history, voices, and lived experiences of the Vietnamese people. As founder and president of the Next Vietnam Projects Foundation, he leads documentary and educational initiatives that illuminate Vietnam’s modern history and affirm the enduring values of freedom, human dignity, and democracy.
Oklahoma Folklife Festival
Saturday, November 14
The Oklahoma Folklife Festival will be held on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
The Oklahoma History Center invites organizations to participate in the 2026 Oklahoma Folklife Festival. This festival is designed to allow visitors to experience other cultures and traditions. Visitors are there to participate in the activities, not just observe. The festival’s goal is to spark curiosity, catalyze intercultural exchange, create participatory experiences, and to collaborate with cultural practitioners, communities, and heritage professionals. This event will be held predominantly indoors, and admission is free to the public.
If your organization would like to participate, please complete our form. There will be a $50 booth fee for groups wanting to sell products at the festival.
Please note that not all applicants will be selected to participate in the festival. Applications will close on October 5, 2026, with selections made by October 8, 2026.
Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America author talk and book signing with Candacy Taylor
Friday, November 20
On Friday, November 20, from 7 to 9 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center Museum and the Metropolitan Library system will co-sponsor an author talk and signing with Smithsonian documentarian and author Candacy Taylor.
The special event will explore the title Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America (Abrams Press, 2020). Discover the stories behind The Green Book and its lasting impact on American history and Route 66. Before the program, guests are invited to explore the Oklahoma History Center’s exhibits from 5 to 7 p.m., including The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma, courtesy of the Metropolitan Library System.
This project was supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Arts Midwest. This event is free, but registration is required.
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Oklahoma History Center class cancelations and refunds
Discover more events at Oklahoma Historical Society museums and historic sites across the state on our events calendar.
