200th Anniversary Commemoration

The Fort Gibson Historic Site will commemorate the bicentennial of its site on April 20. Fort Gibson was established in 1824 in Indian Territory. It was the first U.S. military post in what would become the state of Oklahoma and was further west than any other post in the United States at that time.

The town of Fort Gibson will mark the anniversary with a community parade that starts at 10 a.m. and ends at the historic site. Opening ceremonies to commemorate 200 years will occur from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., including speeches from state legislators and other dignitaries. From 12:30-5 p.m., visitors can learn about life at the outpost at several living history and education stations across the 80-acre historic site. Demonstrations about the life of 1830s soldiers, military disciplinary measures, hunter/trapper watercraft, 18th-century keelboats, 19th-century gardening, encampments, cooking, women in the military, the essential service of laundresses, and traveling merchants will be a part of the public event. The bicentennial celebrations will also teach about the operations of the outpost’s bakehouse and sutler store and the art of 19th-century photography. Visitors to the site can also observe roping demonstrations, chuck wagon cooks, and the art of land surveying, as well as learn an overview of artillery drills and safety.

For more information please call 918-478-4088. The Fort Gibson Historic Site is located at 907 N. Garrison Ave. in Fort Gibson.