Posts Tagged ‘artifact’

History of the Piñata

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

by Benjamin Clark, Curator of Education

PiñataWhat do you know about the history of piñatas?  A week ago, my knowledge of piñatas was strictly confined to birthday parties before 1987 and a college visit to Casa Bonita in Denver.  But, the piñata question sprung on me while researching the exhibit Tierra de mi Familia: Oklahoma, now on exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center. (more…)

The Merci Train

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

by Susan Berberet, Assistant Curator

mercitrain.jpg
In February 1949, a French freighter arrived in New York carrying 49 boxcars filled with gifts of thanks from the French people to the United States.  The act was in response to the ‘Friendship Train’ that in 1947 toured the US and collected $40 million worth of food and clothing to aid France at the end of WWII.  Every continental US state received a boxcar from the ‘Merci Train’ or ‘Gratitude Train’; Oklahoma’s car was brought to the front of the State Capitol the morning of February 18, 1949. (more…)