“Candles on Post” living history program

On Friday, September 23, and Saturday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, and again from 1-3 p.m., the Fort Gibson Historic Site will be having a living history program entitled Candles on Post. Various practices of using and making candles, essential to fort life will begin with a candle-making demonstration in the palisade kitchens while learning about the differences between candles made of beeswax and those made of tallow. Learn the importance of wick length for longer-burning candles. The use of herbs and scents in the candle-making process—a 19th-century solution for keeping pests away will also be discussed.

Before the advent of electricity, fire in its many forms was used to light up the darkness on the frontier. People on post at Fort Gibson used candles, lamps, and the light of their fireplaces to complete their evening tasks such as reading, writing, sewing, and mending.

This program is included in the price of admission. There are many buildings to tour at the historic site including the commissary, bakehouse, magazine, and barracks as well as the many furnished rooms located within the palisade walls. Fort Gibson Historic Site is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

Fort Gibson Historic Site is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.