Press Release
January 31, 2017
Contact: Adam Lynn
Chisholm Trail Museum, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-375-5176
ctmus@pldi.net
www.ctokmuseum.org
"Bridging the Chisholm Trail through Indian Territory" Exhibit Opening at Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher
KINGFISHER, Okla. — The Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher, Okla., is proud to announce the grand opening of “Bridging the Chisholm Trail through Indian Territory,” a major exhibit in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail focusing on the trail through Indian Territory, on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at 1 p.m. The more than 1,300-square-foot exhibit will emphasize the history of the Chisholm Trail as it relates to Indian Territory and the area that is now north-central Oklahoma.
Through artifacts, narrative, photographs, maps, video and audio, the exhibit will showcase the history of the Chisholm Trail through the lens of Indian Territory. Features of the exhibit include a mural of the Cimarron River, large maps of the trail, a re-creation of the Red Fork Ranch, Cheyenne and Arapaho artifacts, the stories of outlaws along the trail and a collection of barbed wire.
Historically, Texas and Kansas benefited economically from the Chisholm Trail. In Texas, large cattle owners, cowboys and suppliers enjoyed unprecedented profits from trailing cattle north through Indian Territory to Kansas railheads. In Kansas, once small or previously nonexistent prairie towns transformed into boom towns from holding, servicing and shipping millions of Texas cattle east by railroad. These Kansas cattle towns also profited from serving cowboys food, drink and entertainment after several long months trailing cattle. Indian Territory provided a bridge that Texas cowboys utilized by trailing millions of longhorns in the span of approximately 20 years. Prior to and during the Chisholm Trail years, Indian Territory was home to a fascinating blend of American Indian cultures, frontiersmen, federal army units, Indian agencies, supply camps, stage stations and trading posts. Each of these made a direct impact on life in the area during the Chisholm Trail years.
For more information about the Kingfisher Chisholm Trail Museum and to see updates on events and programs, please visit www.ctokmuseum.org, follow the museum on Facebook or call 405-375-5176. The Chisholm Trail Museum and A. J. Seay Mansion are located at 605 Zellers Avenue in Kingfisher, Okla. Hours of operation are Tuesday– Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The museum is closed on major holidays. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children.
The Chisholm Trail Museum and A. J. Seay Mansion are affiliates 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.
