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January 2025
Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting *canceled*
The Executive Committee Meeting scheduled for January 15, 2025, has been canceled. 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 »Historic Preservation Review Committee Meeting
The Historic Preservation Review Committee (HPRC) regular quarterly meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16. The HPRC will meet in the Leroy H. Fischer Boardroom, Oklahoma History Center (third floor), located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK. The public is invited to attend. (NOTE: If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation, please contact Lynda Ozan at 405-522-4484 or lynda.ozan@history.ok.gov by noon on Wednesday, January 15). Additionally, the meetings will also…
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, a living history program at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. It takes place throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The five historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village, which are from the territorial days, come to life with living history interpreters dressed in period clothing from the…
Find out more »Kids’ Bison Program
On Saturday, January 18, from 2 to 3 p.m., the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host an educational program about North American bison, specifically designed for children aged 10 and under. Hayden Fergason, the museum’s historical interpreter, will lead the program using various creative methods to teach children about the bison herds that reside on the property. The program will include: An arts and crafts project: attendees will use construction paper, scissors, and various coloring materials (markers, crayons, and…
Find out more »Lunch and Learn: “Preservation and Perseverance: Care Before It’s Gone” webinar
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will hold a free webinar at noon on Tuesday, January 21, to discuss the new 10-year state plan, which was released on January 1, 2025. SHPO staff will review the basics of the new state plan and what you can do to support preservation in your community. This Lunch and Learn session is free to the public, but registration is required. Register for the webinar. See all available webinars through the State Historic Preservation…
Find out more »Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting
The Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors meetings occur on the fourth Wednesday of the first month of each quarter at 1:30 p.m., with the exception of the May meeting. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at okhistory.org/BOARD. This meeting will be held in the Chesapeake Event Center at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105.
Find out more »OKPOP-In
On Thursday, January 23, from 4 to 6 p.m., POP-IN for an exclusive sneak peek at OKPOP, Oklahoma’s soon-to-open museum dedicated to celebrating Oklahoma’s creativity and our state’s pop culture history! Join us for a guided tour of the museum’s future exhibit spaces, where you’ll learn about the vision for the OKPOP experience, see some of the incredible artifacts from the OKPOP collection, and find out ways where we can all make OKPOP a reality! This special tour is your…
Find out more »Into the Mirror exhibit closes
The Oklahoma History Center Museum exhibit Into the Mirror, located in the ONEOK, Inc. rotating gallery space, features works ranging from 1878 to the present created by Indigenous artists. The earliest work in the exhibit was created by artist Buffalo Meat (Cheyenne), 1847-1917, who was a prisoner at Fort Marion at the time of his creations. Contemporary artists include Brent Learned (Cheyenne-Arapaho) and Sharon Ahtone-Harjo (Kiowa). The exhibit also includes works by Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Crumbo (Citizen Potawatomi), 1912-1989; Enoch…
Find out more »“The Progressive Era: 1900–1929” presentation with Aaron Preston
On Saturday, January 25, from 10 to 11 a.m., Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center archivist Aaron Preston will present a presentation on the Progressive Era, an overview of the country’s history from 1900 to 1929. The program will examine President Teddy Roosevelt’s policies and national transformations during this time and how these shifts were borne out in the Cherokee Outlet. This is the second program of “A.M. with the Archivist,” a three-part lecture series for the price of regular museum…
Find out more »International Holocaust Remembrance Day panel discussion
On Monday, January 27, from 1 to 3 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center Museum will host a panel discussion for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Panel discussion members will include Dr. Denise Neal of the OK National Guard Museum, Rachel Johnson of the Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City, and Michael Korenblit, author and Friends of the OHS Multicultural Office advisory board member. The panel will discuss the role and involvement of Oklahomans during the Holocaust through different experiences. More than six…
Find out more »“The Ties That Bind: The Legacy of Buster Keaton” program with Robert Burch
On Tuesday, January 28, the Cherokee Strip Historical Society (CSHS) will hold its annual meeting and dinner, followed by a program about Buster Keaton (1895–1966). "The Ties That Bind: The Legacy of Buster Keaton" program will be free and open to the public. It will take place at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Center, located at 222 N. 6th St. in Perry. OETA producer, documentary writer, and reporter Robert Burch will lead a discussion about Buster Keaton’s connections to the…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring Will Rogers in Life Begins at 40 (1932)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will show the movie Life Begins at 40 (1932) at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore on Friday, January 31. Movie Night is a popular community event, offering a place for family and friends to connect on the last Friday of the month. The doors to the theatre open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy free admission, popcorn, and drinks while watching the film. Seating is…
Find out more »February 2025
Antique Doll exhibit opens
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home in Hominy will host an exhibit of antique dolls throughout February. This annual exhibit showcases a selection of rare and unique dolls dating back to the early 1900s—long before Barbie’s popularity—when bisque, porcelain, and leather were used to form dolls. German-made dolls by Armand Marseille, Kestner, and Koppelsdorf will be featured. Beginning on Saturday, February 1, and ending on Friday, February 28, this exhibit will surely delight doll collectors and lovers alike. While viewing…
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, a living history program at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. It takes place throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The five historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village, which are from the territorial days, come to life with living history interpreters dressed in period clothing from the…
Find out more »“Third Indian Home Guard” program
Visit the Fort Gibson Historic Site from February 4 through 8 to see the uniforms and equipment that would have been available to the Third Indian Home Guard in the 1860s. The Third Indian Home Guard was instrumental in U.S. military successes in the American Civil War. It was made up of many citizens of Indian Territory nations, including Cherokee civilians who lived in the area surrounding Fort Gibson Military Post. The Third Regiment was formed at Tahlequah and Park…
Find out more »“Third Indian Home Guard” program
Visit the Fort Gibson Historic Site from February 4 through 8 to see the uniforms and equipment that would have been available to the Third Indian Home Guard in the 1860s. The Third Indian Home Guard was instrumental in U.S. military successes in the American Civil War. It was made up of many citizens of Indian Territory nations, including Cherokee civilians who lived in the area surrounding Fort Gibson Military Post. The Third Regiment was formed at Tahlequah and Park…
Find out more »“Third Indian Home Guard” program
Visit the Fort Gibson Historic Site from February 4 through 8 to see the uniforms and equipment that would have been available to the Third Indian Home Guard in the 1860s. The Third Indian Home Guard was instrumental in U.S. military successes in the American Civil War. It was made up of many citizens of Indian Territory nations, including Cherokee civilians who lived in the area surrounding Fort Gibson Military Post. The Third Regiment was formed at Tahlequah and Park…
Find out more »“Third Indian Home Guard” program
Visit the Fort Gibson Historic Site from February 4 through 8 to see the uniforms and equipment that would have been available to the Third Indian Home Guard in the 1860s. The Third Indian Home Guard was instrumental in U.S. military successes in the American Civil War. It was made up of many citizens of Indian Territory nations, including Cherokee civilians who lived in the area surrounding Fort Gibson Military Post. The Third Regiment was formed at Tahlequah and Park…
Find out more »Date Night at the Museum: “Art from the Heart”
Let your Valentine know they’re a true work of art! Make it a memorable date night at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center on Friday, February 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. This art-inspired evening promises to create the perfect night out! Wander through the galleries as you enjoy delicious themed hors d’oeuvres and a romantic drink to make your museum experience even more special. Plus, couples are welcome to explore the Humphrey Heritage Village after dark and see our…
Find out more »“Third Indian Home Guard” program
Visit the Fort Gibson Historic Site from February 4 through 8 to see the uniforms and equipment that would have been available to the Third Indian Home Guard in the 1860s. The Third Indian Home Guard was instrumental in U.S. military successes in the American Civil War. It was made up of many citizens of Indian Territory nations, including Cherokee civilians who lived in the area surrounding Fort Gibson Military Post. The Third Regiment was formed at Tahlequah and Park…
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, refreshments, discussions, quilt patterns, and old-fashioned bed turnings at the next quilting workshop. Proceeds directly fund Sod…
Find out more »“The Great Depression in the Cherokee Outlet” presentation with archivist Aaron Preston
On Saturday, February 8, from 10 to 11 a.m., Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center archivist Aaron Preston will present a lecture on the Great Depression in the Cherokee Outlet. The lecture will center on how the Outlet suffered and grew during this time. The research being presented is drawn from oral histories—firsthand accounts of the people who lived through this period. This is the third program of “A.M. with the Archivist,” a three-part lecture series for the price of regular…
Find out more »A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard author talk with Connie Cronley
On Saturday, February 8, at 1:30 p.m., the Oklahoma Territorial Museum will host an author talk featuring Connie Cronley. This event is free to the public. Copies of her book, A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard (2021), will be available for purchase in the museum’s store during the event. Cronley’s award-winning biography focuses on Catherine Ann “Kate” Barnard (1875–1930), a passionate political reformer and fearless activist who advocated for the vulnerable and marginalized. Barnard made history as the first…
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, a living history program at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. It takes place throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The five historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village, which are from the territorial days, come to life with living history interpreters dressed in period clothing from the…
Find out more »“An Afternoon with General Blunt” presentation with Jim Spillars
On Saturday, February 15, from 1 to 2 p.m., Honey Springs Battlefield will host living historian Jim Spillars, who will portray General Blunt (1826–1881). Spillars will give a presentation on Blunt’s leadership during the Engagement at Honey Springs which was the largest of more than 107 documented hostile encounters in Indian Territory. He will be dressed in period Civil War attire for this event. James Blunt was a ship captain, a physician, and an abolitionist. He led Indigenous and Black…
Find out more »Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission meeting
In the year 2025, the meetings of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission will be held on Tuesday, February 18, May 20, August 26, and November 28 at 1 p.m. Agendas will be posted at 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 »Lunch and Learn: “Finding your Native Roots: the Dawes Rolls” with Laura Martin webinar
On Wednesday, February 19, at noon, (Central Time), Laura Martin, deputy director of the Oklahoma Historical Society Research Division, will explain what the Dawes Rolls are and how you can use them to find your ancestors. Register for the “Finding your Roots” webinar. See a full list of webinars available through the State Historic Preservation Office.
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 »“Our Museum” Oklahoma History Center Museum open house
Come to the Oklahoma History Center Museum on Thursday, February 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., for an event where families can explore the museum’s “behind-the-scenes” aspects. Ask, and find answers to questions like: What is a curator? What does an exhibit team member do? This is a great opportunity to discover various perspectives on the museum’s operations, including insights into collections, possible sneak peeks of upcoming exhibits, and the importance of cultural inclusion. This event is designed for the…
Find out more »The Green Book: Guide to Freedom Smithsonian film screening and discussion panel
The Oklahoma History Center will screen the Smithsonian film The Green Book: Guide to Freedom on Saturday, February 22, from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Negro Motorist Green Book was a travel guide first printed in 1936, during the era of segregation. During the Jim Crow era, the Green Book was used by Black travelers to find restaurants, hotels, and other businesses that would welcome them without discrimination. It became a roadmap for safe passage within a then-segregated country.
The film screening and discussion is for ages 18 and older. The cost is included with admission to the Oklahoma History Center Museum. Registration is preferred but not required at okhistory.org/tickets.
Find out more »Kilgen Theatre Organ Performance featuring Juan Cardona Jr. and the Mel Brooks film Silent Movie (1976)
On Monday, February 24, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., a Kilgen Theatre Organ performance will take place in the Devon Great Hall at the Oklahoma History Center (OHC). The performance will feature Juan Cardona, who will accompany the Mel Brooks film Silent Movie (1976). Juan Cardona Jr., from Newtown, Conn., began studying piano and organ at the age of seven and has continued his musical education through college. He studied classical organ under Dr. Angela Salcedo at the University of…
Find out more »Saving the Sacred: “Preserving America’s Stained Glass: Unveiling Challenges, Myths and Pathways to Sustainability” with Megan McElfresh
On Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 2 p.m. Central Time, the State Historic Preservation Office will host a free webinar entitled Saving the Sacred: “Preserving America’s Stained Glass: Unveiling Challenges, Myths and Pathways to Sustainability” with Megan McElfresh. Megan McElfresh, Executive Director of the Stained Glass Association of America, explores the challenges of preserving stained glass across America’s sacred spaces. She debunks myths of stained glass as a “lost art” and highlights its experimental history and ongoing struggles, including fluctuating…
Find out more »Dawes Commission in Cherokee Nation: Freedmen Exhibit closes
The Fort Gibson Historic Site exhibit Dawes Commission in Cherokee Nation, which features Freedmen history, will remain open through the end of February 2025. The exhibit covers a brief historical moment in the late 1800s when formerly enslaved people from across the territory traveled to Fort Gibson to be enrolled in the Dawes Rolls. The Fort Gibson staff has worked directly with Freedmen descendants to curate the photographs of the Freedmen exhibit. Captain McKennon set up an office in one…
Find out more »Antique Doll exhibit closes
The Fred and Addie Drummond Home in Hominy will host an exhibit of antique dolls throughout February. This annual exhibit showcases a selection of rare and unique dolls dating back to the early 1900s—long before Barbie’s popularity—when bisque, porcelain, and leather were used to form dolls. German-made dolls by Armand Marseille, Kestner, and Koppelsdorf will be featured. Beginning on Saturday, February 1, and ending on Friday, February 28, this exhibit will surely delight doll collectors and lovers alike. While viewing…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring The Princess Diaries (2001)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will show the movie The Princess Diaries (2001) at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore on Friday, February 28. Movie Night is a popular community event, offering a place for family and friends to connect on the last Friday of the month. The doors to the theatre open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy free admission, popcorn, and drinks while watching the film. Seating is limited,…
Find out more »March 2025
Second Annual Oklahoma Women’s History Conference
The Oklahoma History Center will host the second annual Oklahoma Women’s History Conference on Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free to the public, but registration is required. A boxed lunch is available for an additional fee. Attendees are welcome to bring lunch with them. The first panel discussion will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The topic is early Oklahoma women’s activism, and featured speakers are Edith Ritt-Coulter, Rilla Askew, and…
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, a living history program at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. It takes place throughout the year on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The five historic buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village, which are from the territorial days, come to life with living history interpreters dressed in period clothing from the…
Find out more »Fort Towson Living History Education Day
The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a full day of educational experiences on Thursday, March 6. The site will bring history to life with “Living History Education Day”—a FREE EVENT! It will teach what life was like at Fort Towson more than 180 years ago with multiple learning experiences about life at the military outpost during the 1840s when it was a vital resupply point for soldiers headed south to engage in the Mexican-American War. The fort will be…
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, refreshments, discussions, quilt patterns, and old-fashioned bed turnings at the next quilting workshop. Proceeds directly fund Sod…
Find out more »Bob Wills Day at the Capitol
An annual celebration of an Oklahoma music icon is returning to the Oklahoma State Capitol on Monday, March 10. The Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Historical Society are partnering to bring live music performances from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to the Capitol’s second-floor rotunda. A schedule of performers will be announced closer to the date of the event. Bob Wills Day at the Capitol commemorates the life and legacy of the “King of Western Swing,” who helped popularize the…
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