Press Release
September 10, 2019
Contact: Cayla Lewis
Preservation Oklahoma, Inc.
Office: 405-525-5325
director@preservationok.org
www.overholsermansion.org
Weekend Events at the Overholser Mansion September 20–21
OKLAHOMA CITY — Preservation Oklahoma (POK) will host several events on Friday, September 20, and Saturday, September 21, at the Henry Overholser Mansion in Oklahoma City.
Preservation Oklahoma will host its third annual Urban Campout on the afternoon of Friday, September 20, until the morning of September 21, 2019. The night will feature outdoor activities, a tour of the mansion, story time with Commonplace Books and sleeping under the beautiful Oklahoma sky. Coffee will be provided by Elemental Coffee on the morning of September 21.
The cost is $100 per campsite, which includes space for up to six people or a six-person tent (or smaller). Campers and RVs are also welcome. POK will have all the fixings for your favorite campfire foods including hot dogs and s'mores, along with juice and donuts for the morning. On-site security is provided. For those interested in joining only for the evening dinner portion, POK is offering a $50 ticket for a family of four. All funds raised from Urban Campout go toward the maintenance and upkeep of the Overholser Mansion.
On Saturday, September 21, the Overholser Mansion will participate in Smithsonian magazine’s 15th annual Museum Day, a national celebration of boundless curiosity in which participating museums emulate the free admission policy at the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based museums. Visitors who present a Museum Day ticket will gain free entrance for two to the mansion. Museum Day tickets are now available for download at smithsonian.com/museumday. One ticket is permitted per email address.
While visiting the Overholser Mansion for Museum Day on September 21, visitors can enjoy the 2019 Oklahoma Archeological Survey (OAS) Workshop and the 2019 Most Endangered Places traveling exhibit. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a free workshop will be presented by research faculty from the Oklahoma Archeological Survey at the University of Oklahoma. The workshop will contain activities for all ages and are open to the public. OAS will have a simulated archaeological dig, hands-on activities with Oklahoma artifacts and a chance for children to try reconstructing pottery. Staff members from OAS will be available to identify artifacts brought in by the public, and to give brief presentations on pre-European contact Oklahoma and what someone should do if they find an archaeological site.
In addition to the workshop, Preservation Oklahoma will be displaying its 2019 Most Endangered Places traveling exhibit. This annual list of historic properties serves to spread awareness and will travel throughout the state to continue the discussion of preserving historical buildings. The program is funded in part by Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH.
For more information about this fun-filled weekend at the Overholser Mansion, please contact Preservation Oklahoma Executive Director Cayla Lewis at 405-525-5325 or director@preservationok.org.
Preservation Oklahoma, Incorporated, is the state's only private, nonprofit membership organization that is dedicated to promoting, supporting and coordinating historic preservation activities throughout the state. Preservation Oklahoma’s mission is to promote preservation statewide. Founded in 1992, Preservation Oklahoma is a statewide partner with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and works on joint projects with the Oklahoma Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). More information can be found at www.preservationok.org.
The Overholser Mansion is an affiliate of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
Smithsonian Media is comprised of its flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, Air & Space magazine, Smithsonian Books and the Smithsonian Media Digital Network. In addition, Smithsonian Media oversees the Smithsonian Institution’s interest in the Smithsonian Channel, a joint venture between the Smithsonian Institution and CBS/Showtime. Smithsonian Media is a division of Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. Approximately 30 million people from around the world visit the museums annually. (smithsonian.com / si.edu)
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