Press Release
February 28, 2023
Contact: Calista Stephens
Fort Towson Historic Site, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 580-236-0537
fttowson@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/forttowson
Fort Towson Historic Site Plans Three Days of Educational Experiences
FORT TOWSON, Okla. — The Fort Towson Historic Site will host three days full of educational experiences from March 2–4.
On Thursday, March 2, the site will bring history to life with a free event called “Living History Education Day.” It will teach what life was like at Fort Towson more than 180 years ago. Living historians will demonstrate historic skills and educate guests while wearing period clothing. “Living History Education Day” will present 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 event is open to the public. Large groups need to register before the event.
On Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4, the Fort Towson Historic Site will host an 1840s encampment. Tents will dot the grounds, and the fort will be brought back to life with reenactors wearing historical clothing while demonstrating the uses of historical tools, organizing period games and participating in the ongoing encampment activities. The public will experience tool demonstrations, the making of corn husk dolls, the cooper’s process of making wooden buckets and activities specific to the fort’s military history. Visitors can also learn about the history behind the sutler’s store, which was a source of goods and merchandise for soldiers and surrounding towns until the fort’s closure in 1854. The historic site will be open and free to the public each day of the encampment, with historic skills demonstrations throughout the day.
For more information about the events or to register for the “Living History Education Day,” call 580-236-0537 or email fttowson@history.ok.gov. The Fort Towson Historic Site is located at 896 W. 4375 Rd. in 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.
