Press Release
April 5, 2019
Contact: Robbin Davis
Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 580-237-1907
rdavis@okhistory.org
www.csrhc.org
Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center to Host “A Night with Our Leaders”
ENID, Okla. — The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) in Enid is pleased to present “A Night with Our Leaders,” a biannual event featuring living history interpretations of notable northwest Oklahoma historical figures. The event is scheduled for Friday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m.
“Community volunteers have been preparing for weeks researching their historical person,” said Education Director Cathy Thomas. Each volunteer has been chosen based on their close resemblance to the historical person and their ability to present the facts of that person’s life with accuracy in first-person narrative. “It’s a little like the annual Chautauqua event where modern-day people interpret the lives of one historical person. In our case, we have chosen people who made a significant impact in Enid and the rest of northwestern Oklahoma,” continued Thomas. Each costumed interpreter will engage with the participants as they are led through the museum’s permanent gallery by CSRHC volunteers. Much thought has been given to this project in hopes that guests will enjoy the experience and continue to learn about Oklahoma history.
Each ticket to the event includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a guided tour through each of the seven vignettes. Historical figures this year include David L. Payne, portrayed by Brad Eastbrooks; Charles Knox, portrayed by Dr. Larry Kiner; Mary Umstead, portrayed by Vanessa Adams-Harris; Dr. Hope Ross, portrayed by Mary McDonald; Edward N. “E. N.” Puckett, portrayed by Lynn Smith; Lt. Col. Leon Vance, portrayed by Darren Rudy; and Bessie Truitt, portrayed by Mary Fishcaber.
Tours will start every 15 minutes, with the first beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the last at 7:45 p.m. Each ticket is $25, with a $5 discount for CSRHC members. A limited number of tickets are available for each tour, so guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets before April 12 so they do not miss this unique opportunity to learn about northwestern Oklahoma history. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is located at 507 S. Fourth St. in Enid. For more information, please call 580-237-1907 or email csrhcinfo@okhistory.org.
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center 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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