Press Release
January 23, 2020
Contact: Jennie Buchanan
Museum of the Western Prairie, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 580-482-1044
jbuchanan@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/westernprairie
“The Buffalo Train Ride” Author Presentation at Museum of the Western Prairie
ALTUS, Okla. — The Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus will host author Desiree Morrison Webber on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss her book “The Buffalo Train Ride.”
By the early 20th century, bison were nearly extinct in the wild. A plea from Comanche leader Quanah Parker to President Theodore Roosevelt opened the door to save the bison from this fate. In 1907 15 bison from the Bronx Zoo boarded a train bound for Oklahoma Territory. Desiree Morrison Webber tells the story of the establishment of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and the redevelopment of the bison herd. This title received a positive review by School Library Journal, was an Oklahoma Book Award finalist and is an Oklahoma Centennial Title. Webber is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a master’s degree in library and information studies.
This event is free and open to the public. The Museum of the Western Prairie is located at 1100 Memorial Drive in Altus. For more information, please contact Director Jennie Buchanan at 580-482-1044. This event will be hosted by the Western Trail Historical Society.
The Museum of the Western Prairie is a division 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.
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