OHS EXTRA! - Put your eggs in one basket

Oklahoma Historical Society sent this bulletin at 04/06/2022 05:00 AM CDT

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History Center Research Museums & Sites Preservation Publications

April 6, 2022

Colorized Historic Photo of Altus Business Leaders

Altus business leaders display hundreds of eggs gathered for a citywide Easter egg hunt, c. 1920. They also appear to have gone against the general wisdom on the subject and were, in fact, placing all of their eggs into one basket (Museum of the Western Prairie Collections, OHS).

Pawnee Bill Ranch Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Pawnee Bill with arms crossed, collage of Wild West Show poster and easter eggs

On Saturday, April 16, the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host its Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Egg Hunt is cosponsored by the local Pawnee Lions Club and the Pawnee Chamber of Commerce. The hunt will begin promptly at 10 a.m., signaled by Pawnee Bill, portrayed by Kevin Webb, firing his pistol. The Egg Hunt is spread out over many acres of the historic site. Thousands of eggs will be hidden, including gold and silver prize eggs containing money and vouchers for treats.

Pawnee Bill started an egg hunt at his ranch more than 100 years ago. It is in that tradition that the ranch continues to be a place where families can make memories with their children in a beautiful environment.

If you would like to be a volunteer egg hider for this event, be at the Pawnee Bill Ranch at 8 a.m. and you will be put to work hiding eggs to ensure the success of the event.

Sunrise Service

On Easter Sunday, April 17, the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host its annual nondenominational Sunrise Service. The service will begin at approximately 7 a.m. on Blue Hawk Peak, the highest point on the ranch grounds. The service is led by the Pawnee Ministerial Alliance and is a community-wide tradition. Participants are asked to bring their own seating and to dress appropriately for the outdoors.

Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum is located at 1141 Pawnee Bill Road in Pawnee. For more information, please call 918-762-2513 or email pawneebill@okhistory.org.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum Easter Egg Hunt

Visit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum for the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16. This year, the museum is teaming up with Cedar Point Church to offer this event. The egg hunt begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. on the museum grounds, so be sure to arrive early.

The Easter Bunny will hide thousands of candy-filled eggs for the children to find, and some eggs will contain special prizes. Please call 918-341-0719 for more information.

a photo of the hill below the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and a crowd of children and parents searching for Easter Eggs

A group of people in front of the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center taking a selfie

Hit the road this weekend and visit the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid!

Oh, the places you’ll go...

This is the final week for entries into the #ExploreOHS Travel Contest! Participants have until Sunday, April 10, to travel to OHS museums and historic sites across the state and share their photos! This contest is open to the public, and all entries must be submitted on social media using the #ExploreOHS hashtag.

The person (or family/group traveling together) who visits the most OHS sites from March 10–April 10, 2022, will win a prize pack of OHS swag and will get to name a baby bison at Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum.

A complete list of OHS museums and historic sites is available at www.okhistory.org/sites. Use the clickable map of 20+ sites to start planning your road trip today! Click here to view the contest rules and eligibility requirements.

Oklahoma History Center event spaces

The Oklahoma History Center has many event spaces to accommodate special occasions of all kinds. The facility fee is very reasonable and includes setup, staffing, security, maintenance, and audio/visual equipment use. A preferred catering list can be provided, and outside catering is allowed with prior approval and an additional fee. Special discounts are available for government and nonprofit organizations.

Let the Oklahoma History Center’s knowledgeable and capable staff help make your event a success. For more information about OHC facility rentals, click here.

Photo of Devon Hall decorated for a wedding

The Devon Hall of the Oklahoma History Center with tables and flower arrangements for a wedding

The Devon Great Hall (pictured above) is a striking setting for daytime or for evening events. Hardwood floors with polished granite accents create an atmosphere of sophistication.

A soaring 80-foot, floor-to-ceiling glass atrium offers a dramatic view of the Oklahoma State Capitol. Guests will marvel at the replica of Wiley Post’s famous Winnie Mae airplane suspended overhead. For more information contact events@okhistory.org or 405-522-0745.

Rent an OHS historic site for your next special occasion!

Atoka Museum

The Atoka Museum and Civil War Cemetery is a unique and welcome stop on State Highway 69. The site shares the history of the Civil War in Oklahoma as well as the story of Atoka County.

The museum grounds, outdoor pavilion, and the historic Boggy Bend Church building can be rented for weddings or other special events.

Call 580-889-7192 for more information.

A Wedding Cake sitting on a table in front of chairs for wedding guests at the Overholser Mansion

Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion

The Carriage House of the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion is the perfect spot to host your next small event. It is an open space that will comfortably host 70 guests standing or 50 seated.

Small wedding gatherings of 25 guests can be arranged in the ornate mansion interior. For larger events, the Great Lawn is perfect for events for up to 250 guests. For rental information, click here.

Will Rogers Memorial Museum

We encourage you to consider the Will Rogers Memorial Museum as the site of your next special event. The facilities and grounds of the museum are ideal venues for weddings, dinners, receptions, and meetings. You and your guests will enjoy the unique setting of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum overlooking historic Claremore. Learn more by clicking here.

Shut the Door! Barns in Oklahoma

The State Historic Preservation Office is your source for information about historic properties. To gain a more in-depth knowledge about historic barns in the state of Oklahoma, plan on attending the “Shut the Door! Barns in Oklahoma” webinar series. The next class in the virtual series to be held on April 26 will feature three-bay and crib barns. To register for this free webinar, click here.

OHS COVID-19 safety measures

We recommend that visitors who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 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.