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Silver Selections from the USS Oklahoma
The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) is pleased to announce the opening of the exhibit Silver Selections from the USS Oklahoma to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The exhibit, featuring pieces from the USS Oklahoma's silver service, will be open from December 7 through December 31, 2021, in the third-floor atrium and may be viewed during regular museum hours.
On December 7, 1941, the USS Oklahoma was one of eight battleships docked at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, when it came under attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. The USS Oklahoma suffered 429 casualties and the battleship capsized due to multiple torpedo strikes. To see the list of identified USS Oklahoma casualties, click here.
The tradition of creating presentation silver sets for American warships of the “first rank” began with the USS Maine in the late 1890s. Continuing this tradition, the Oklahoma Legislature appropriated $7,500 in 1913 for the creation of a silver service to express the state’s pride in having a new battleship named for the state. It was designed by Walter Dean of Oklahoma City and executed by Gorham Silversmiths of New York. The USS Oklahoma was christened on March 23, 1914, when the service was presented to the ship.
The OHC is a Blue Star Museum where Oklahoma Historical Society members, active-duty military, veterans, and dependents (with ID) are admitted at no charge. For more information, please call 405-522-0765. (USS Oklahoma postcard, 20580.2.A, OHS Collections).
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A Nigh to remember
In the latest episode of A Very OK Podcast, former governor George Nigh joins OHS Executive Director Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn for the entire episode to discuss his recollections of the post-World War II era and share stories that only he can tell as a four-term Oklahoma Governor.
The episode takes a concentrated look at the 1950s—a coming-of-age era for the state, which celebrated its 50th birthday in 1957. During this time period, the state experienced growth in the arts and sciences, politics, and manufacturing.
Did you know that Nigh introduced a bill in 1953 that made "Oklahoma!" by Rodgers and Hammerstein the official state song? The fascinating conversation touches upon Jim Thorpe, tales of "Cowboy Pink" Williams, and kitchen table conversations Nigh had in his youth delivering groceries to the home of Oklahoma-born Speaker of the US House of Representatives Carl Albert, who hailed from the tiny town of Bugtussle.
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Holiday Gifts for the history lover
If the supply shortages are keeping you from checking everyone off of your list, don't forget all of the #BuyLocal options available at OHS locations across the state that have plenty of inventory in stock!
In Oklahoma City, visit the Oklahoma History Center Museum Store, which has an incredible selection of old-fashioned toys, books, puzzles, games, kitchen items, and unique finds. OHS museums and sites, some listed below, have fully stocked gift shops with plenty of one-of-a-kind ideas for friends and family, and the added bonus of boosting the local economy!
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New items in the Oklahoma History Center Museum Store!
The Oklahoma History Center Museum Store is proud to offer unique Oklahoma-themed gifts, including these quality insulated bottles and mugs, hip flasks, and wine glasses. Each item features an engraved map of Oklahoma City, and is sure to delight OKC residents and out-of-town guests alike.
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If you don't see your local OHS museum above, be sure to make a stop at your favorite site over the holidays, and frequent the gift shops located at 21 of our 24 locations. To see a full list of our museums and historic sites, click here.
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Become a volunteer on the Cherokee Strip
There are multiple ways to volunteer for the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC). This group of friendly pioneers pictured above are just some of the fun-loving volunteers of the Enid museum. They are posing just outside of the historic buildings of the Humphrey Heritage Village at the CSRHC where they tend shop, work their trades, teach classes, help visitors to file land claims, and obviously have fun dressing the part! Volunteering at the CSRHC is not limited to living history activities. If you like to work with old photos, do genealogical research, or learn new things about your community, consider volunteering for the CSRHC! Contact Dr. Neil Matherne at nmatherne@okhistory.org or call 580-237-1907, ext. 228.
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The Oklahoma History Center Volunteer Services Program is made up of trained and dedicated volunteers who provide invaluable resources for the daily and ongoing operations in the many departments of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Oklahoma History Center, click below or call 405-522-0765.
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OHS COVID-19 safety measures
Per CDC guidance, we recommend that visitors who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination wear face masks and maintain social distancing in indoor public areas. All visitors, staff, volunteers, contractors, and vendors should use appropriate handwashing techniques.
We ask that you avoid visiting OHS museums, sites, and affiliates if you have COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, have a fever, or are otherwise feeling sick or unwell.
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Click event listings below for more information.
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8–10 - Tax Credits workshop series (VIRTUAL), State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma City
10 - Museum After Dark: Christmas in the Village, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
11 - Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit closes, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
11 - Quilting workshop with Martha Ray, Sod House Museum, Aline
11 - Photos with Santa at the Museum, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
11 - Christmas Open House, Sod House Museum, Aline
11 - Christmas at the Fort, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
11 - Christmas Open House, Fred and Addie Drummond Home, Hominy
11 - Christmas at the Overholser, Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion, Oklahoma City
15 - Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
18 - Pawnee Bill Ranch Holiday Open House, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee
21 - Winter Solstice Walks, Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, Spiro
31 - "Life at Hunter's Home: Winter Celebrations" concludes (VIRTUAL), Hunter's Home, Park Hill
31 - Movie Night featuring Will Rogers in Life Begins at 40, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
31 - Silver Selections from the USS Oklahoma exhibit closes, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
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Holiday goods line the entrance to the Wide-A-Wake variety store in Frederick, OK, c. 1911. A surplus of children's wagons, wooden pails, and boxes of candy are stacked in quantities outside the store to appeal to passersby. A sign advertising Christmas toys above the store entrance carries the promise "We have a doll for every child." The original proprietor, Josiah Gooden, traded the store and its novelty stock to the Tomlinson family for their ranch northeast of the town of Frederick. In 1936 Rawdon Earl Tomlinson became one of three founders of the national T.G.&Y. chain of stores (75.5.55, Museum of the Western Prairie Collection, OHS). |
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