Press Release
January 18, 2023
Contact: Calista Stephens
Fort Towson Historic Site, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 580-873-2634
calista.stephens@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/forttowson
Fort Towson Historic Site Plans Hands-On Opportunities for Guests in 2023
The Second Saturday Sewing Circle is a free, informal monthly event focusing on sewing and historic domestic skills. Participants may bring their own modern or historic projects or purchase kits from the site’s gift shop.
“The idea behind this series is for a group of people to inspire one another through the sharing of ideas. The mixture of skill levels in the group will allow more experienced guests to provide guidance for beginners,” said Calista Stephens, site director. “We strive to foster the organic relationships and sharing of knowledge that can come from social experiential learning.”
Young visitors will learn about history through fun, hands-on historic activities during the Kids Make History series on the third Saturday of each month. The research-based programs will include games, cooking, historic arts and crafts and reenacting skills. Information for each month’s activity may be found on the site’s Facebook and web pages. This program is a partnership with Oklahoma 4-H and Choctaw and Pushmataha County OSU Extension.
On the fourth Saturday of each month, a different skill will be featured during a program called Hands-On Historic Skills.
“Hands-on demonstrations allow individuals the chance to get a different view of the past than merely reading about it or only viewing an untouchable artifact,” said historical interpreter David Reed. “This type of program is made even more special by getting to partake in it at an important historic site such as Fort Towson.”
Living history incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into programs and gives observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. This method of presentation will continue to be the centerpiece for many of the site’s programs and activities, including the 1840s Education Day on March 2 and the 1840s Encampment on March 3 and 4.
Updates on monthly programs and special events can be found on the Fort Towson Historic Site’s Facebook page or at www.okhistory.org/forttowson. For more information, email fttowson@history.ok.gov or call 580-873-2634. The Fort Towson Historic Site is located north of US 70 near Fort Towson.
Fort Towson Historic Site 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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Editor’s Note: Photos of the Fort Towson Historic Site are available upon request.
