Press Release
April 7, 2023
Contact: Jennifer Frazee
Fort Gibson Historic Site, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 918-478-4088
fortgibson@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/fortgibson
Living History Program at Fort Gibson Historic Site to Focus on Traveling by Keelboat
FORT GIBSON, Okla. — Staff and volunteers at the Fort Gibson Historic Site will demonstrate the operations of a keelboat during a special riverside living history program called “Traveling by Keelboat” on Saturday, April 22.
Tours start at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tour leaders will meet participants at the palisade office at 110 E. Ash Ave. in Fort Gibson and lead the groups on the short hike to the boat’s location. Participants must remain with the group at all times. The demonstrations take about an hour. Groups will be led back to the palisade area.
These riverside demonstrations will show visitors the skills needed to operate a keelboat, which was how goods and supplies were originally delivered to Fort Gibson. Historians will explain the mechanical advantages of pulley systems in water travel and transport. Participants will learn how the speed of keelboats was measured before the advent of the speedometer.
Due to limited capacity, “Traveling by Keelboat” tickets must be purchased in advance to reserve tour times. Program tickets are nonrefundable. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets may be purchased over the phone by calling 918-478-4088 or at the commissary gift shop Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Fort Gibson Historic Site is located at 907 N. Garrison Ave. in Fort Gibson.
The Fort Gibson 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 Gibson Historic Site are available upon request.
