Sod House 125th Anniversary Open House

The Sod House Museum near Aline will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its centerpiece sod house by unveiling a sculpture of Marshal McCully, the man who built it, at an Open House on Saturday, December 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. The Open House is free to visitors as a “thank you” for continued support of the museum. State Senator Roland Pederson will welcome guests, and State Representative Carl Newton will give a statement celebrating the occasion.

Renowned sculptor and painter Burneta Venosdel created the likeness of McCully, and will be on-site for the unveiling of her sculpture, which will later be bronzed. Venosdel presented a program about her art and techniques during a month-long showing of her work at the museum in 2015. During that time she was inspired to create a sculpture of McCully. “As a sculptor, my subject matter is connected to my upbringing and pioneering roots in northwestern Oklahoma,” said Venosdel. “I am driven to express myself and record these subjects in bronze.”

Most sod houses only lasted three to eight years, but Marshal McCully lived in his sod house for 15 years. Thanks to the efforts of preservationists, the soddie is still standing after 125 years. The Friends of the Sod House Museum will celebrate this milestone with birthday cake, cookies, and cider. The Friends will give away door prizes, and there will be a drawing for a queen-sized quilt made by the group. The Sod House will be decorated for Christmas in the traditional style of the late 1800s, while the museum facility will be decorated for Christmas to commemorate the 125th anniversary.

The Sod House Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is located southeast of Aline on State Highway 8. For more information contact Director Renee Trindle at 580-463-2441 or sodhouse@okhistory.org.