Press Release
October 31, 2024
Contact: Jennifer Frazee
Fort Gibson Historic Site, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 918-478-4088
fortgibson@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/fortgibson
Fort Gibson Historic Site to Open Exhibit on History of Freedmen in Indian Territory
FORT GIBSON, Okla. — On Saturday, November 16, the Fort Gibson Historic Site will open an exhibit that covers the history of Freedmen in Indian Territory.
The exhibit covers a brief historical moment in the late 1800s when formerly enslaved people from across the territory traveled to Fort Gibson to be enrolled in the Dawes Rolls. The Fort Gibson staff has worked directly with Freedmen descendants to curate the photographs of the Freedmen exhibit.
Captain McKennon set up an office in one of the officers’ quarters to fulfill his commission of enrolling people once enslaved in Indian Territory. While waiting, a small community gathered, and soon-to-be-enrolled Freedmen visited with long-lost friends, sold goods they brought with them and held gatherings on the post’s grounds. Photographers took several images during the proceedings, recording the small historical moment through images. The exhibit will remain open through the end of February.
For more information, please call 918-478-4088. The Fort Gibson Historic Site is located at 907 N. Garrison Ave. in Fort Gibson.
This exhibit is funded in part by Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH.
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.
