Fort Towson Visitor Center Grand Opening

On Saturday, June 13, Fort Towson will host the grand opening of a brand-new, 6,000-square-foot visitor center. Construction of the new building was funded, in part, with grant funds from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation through the Transportation Enhancement Program. Exhibit development was made possible by a generous donation from the Kirkpatrick Foundation and a National Park Service grant through the Maritime Heritage Grant Program. The Fort Towson Visitor Center grand opening coincides with the annual Fort Town Homecoming Celebration. Community activities on Saturday, June 13, include a parade downtown at 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies at Fort Towson Historic Site take place at 11:30 a.m. and will commence with Union officers accepting Stand Watie’s formal surrender as the last Confederate general to lay down arms. The surrender document will be read prior to the signing, thus marking the end of the sesquicentennial commemorations. Following a welcome and recognition of dignitaries will be the formal ribbon cutting. Barbecue vendors will be available at the fort and a Pony Express Race begins at 1:30 p.m. Please call 580-873-2634 for more information.