200th Anniversary Commemoration

The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a living history event to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the fort. The ceremony will recognize the contribution of the soldiers who manned Fort Towson when it was active while celebrating the tremendous contributions of the Choctaw and Chickasaw people.
The event will be held on May 18 from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Living historians will present a glimpse into the lives of military members and civilians who lived in military outposts 200 years ago. Scheduled presentations will be held every hour between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event will be free to the public.

Throughout the day, guests can explore the site and learn from living historians about period infantry, artillery, laundresses, officer’s wives, topographical engineers, 1st Choctaw mounted rifles, dragoons, historical music, and 1800s merchandise.

The event will include presentations and demonstrations about the clothing of the period, the importance of trade at the military outpost with the civilian sutler, and the connection between the fort’s establishment and the Choctaw and Chickasaw people.

An artillery demonstration will be held to show that cannon fire was a part of daily life for soldiers at Fort Towson. The bicentennial programming will also include livestock care, harnessing a team of mules, and an historical overview of the roads leading into the fort.

For more information, call 580-873-2634 or email fttowson@history.ok.gov.