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Celebrating Clara Luper's Birthday
Oklahoma City's leading Civil Rights activist Clara Luper was born on May 3, 1923, in Okfuskee County. On Monday, May 1, from 6–8 p.m. the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) will host a celebration of Clara Luper's 100th Birthday. A discussion panel will be facilitated by Dr. Karlos Hill, regents’ professor in the Clara Luper Department of African and African American Studies at the University of Oklahoma. The panel will include Clara Luper’s daughter, Marilyn Luper Hildreth, as well as members of the Clara Luper Legacy Committee. This event will focus on celebrating Luper's life and legacy—keeping her story alive for future generations. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Please contact the OHC at 405-522-0765 with any questions.
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LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE
"The People's House"
The Oklahoma State Capitol is the temple of our democracy in Oklahoma—the place where people gather to make their voices heard. Today, it’s hard to imagine the landscape of Oklahoma City without this grand edifice. However, in 1910 the cities of Guthrie and Oklahoma City jockeyed back and forth for the rights to the location of the state's capital city delaying completion of Oklahoma government’s permanent home until 1917. In this latest episode of A Very OK Podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the history of the Oklahoma State Capitol and its resilience over the decades. Their guests are Bob Ross of the Inasmuch Foundation and film director Bryan Beasley, who will discuss the new documentary about the State Capitol that will be released in May.
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NEXT MONDAY!!
Kilgen Organ Performance by David Marsh
On Monday, April 24, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will host a spring performance of the Kilgen Organ with the theme of “Ice Cream Social.” In keeping with the theme, ice cream will be served prior to the performance, so early arrival is advised.
The evening concert will feature seasonal melodies by organist David Marsh—a rising star in the theater organ world. Tickets are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers and may be reserved online through the Museum Store by clicking here. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
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“Traveling by Keelboat” living history program
On Saturday, April 22, staff and volunteers at Fort Gibson Historic Site will demonstrate the operations of a working keelboat during the special riverside program “Traveling by Keelboat.”
This is a good opportunity to learn about the history of water travel and transport in the 19th century. Historians at the riverside will ensure the safety of guests while teaching about the skills needed to operate a keelboat, and discussing how vital these vessels were for delivering goods and supplies to Fort Gibson.
Tours start at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Tour leaders will meet participants at the palisade office at 110 E. Ash Ave. at Fort Gibson, leading the groups on the short hike to the boat’s location. The demonstrations will take about an hour and participants must remain with the group at all times. Due to limited capacity, “Traveling by Keelboat” tickets must be purchased in advance to reserve tour times. Program tickets are nonrefundable. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets may be purchased over the phone by calling 918-478-4088 or at the commissary gift shop from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fort Gibson Historic Site is located at 907 N. Garrison Ave. in Fort Gibson.
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COUNT YOUR GLASS HALF FULL
Make your own glass suncatcher!
On Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, the Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue will host a special glass fusing class, “Glass and a Glass!,” with artist Audrey Schmitz. In two sessions—one at 1 p.m. and another at 3 p.m.— participants will make a “meadow flower”–themed suncatcher to take home with them. Participants will learn about the process of making fused glass while enjoying a complimentary drink. No prior experience with glass is required to create original art, have fun, and get your sparkle on!
Each suncatcher creation will be as unique as the person who makes it, choosing from a wide array of colorful art glass, frit, wire, dots, millefiori, and stringer glass. Additional “meadow flower” suncatchers can be made for an extra fee. There is also an option to create a one-of-a-kind night light.
The registration fee is $20 per person, with all materials included. The class is limited to ages 18 and up, with spaces for 14 people each in the 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. sessions. Call 580-765-6108 to reserve your spot today!
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Fun and games for the family at Hunter's Home
On Saturday, April 22, join in the fun at Hunter’s Home when the staff will be teaching about historic pastimes and games that entertained people in the 19th century. While some games will be familiar, some relics of the past will be introduced. Children and families are encouraged to attend to learn games like nine pins, the Game of Graces, Jacob’s Ladder, and many other amusements commonly played in the 1800s.
The Fun and Games activities are free for all ages with a regular admission ticket. Hunter’s Home is located at 19479 East Murrell Home Road in Park Hill.
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Click event listings below for more information.
20 - Story Time at Hunter’s Home, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
21 - Education Day, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
21 - Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
22 - “Perspectives in History”: The 2023 Oklahoma History Symposium, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
22 - Free Museum Day, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
22 - Oklahoma Historical Society Membership meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
22 - Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors Organizational meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
22 - Fun and Games at Hunter's Home, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
22 - “Traveling by Keelboat” living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
22 - Hands-On Historic Skills: Genealogical Research, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
22 - Earth Day Block Printing class, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
22 - “Glass and a Glass!” glass fusing class, Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue, Ponca City
24 - “Ice Cream Social” Kilgen Organ Performance by David Marsh, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
28 - Movie Night featuring Will Rogers in Doubting Thomas (1935), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
29 - Frozen in Time: A Photographic History of Northwestern Oklahoma exhibit closes, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
29 - Historical and Modern Use of Medicinal Plants class, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
29 - “Mixin’ It Up Under the Stars” Tom Mix Museum fundraiser, Washington County Fairgrounds, Dewey
30 - Hammered Aluminum Ware exhibit closes, Fred and Addie Drummond Home, Hominy
1 - Clara Luper 100th Birthday Celebration, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
3–4 - Oklahoma National History Day contest, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
6 - Spring Agricultural Day, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
6 - Blacksmithing and Wheel Setting Demonstrations with the Saltfork Craftsmen, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry
6 - History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
8 - “How to Research Your ‘Historic’ Property” (VIRTUAL), State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma City
9 - Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in WWII exhibit opens, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
9 - “How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Form” (VIRTUAL), State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma City
10 - “Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in Oklahoma: A Historical Journey,” Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
10 - “Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act” (VIRTUAL), State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma City
11 - “Documenting Post-European Contact Archaeological Sites in Oklahoma” (VIRTUAL), State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma City
11 - Thursday Night Lecture Series with author Gary Clayton Anderson, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
13 - Quilting workshop with Martha Ray, Sod House Museum, Aline
13 - Carriage House Sit and Sew, Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion, Oklahoma City
13 - “Chicken in the Mail: Union Army Camp Life” program, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
13 - Second Saturday Sewing Circle, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
13 - Spiro Mounds and WPA Archaeology in Oklahoma book signing with Dr. Scott Hammerstedt, Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, Spiro
16 - “Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program Overview” (VIRTUAL), State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma City
17 - “The Historic Preservation Tax Credit: A Case Study” (VIRTUAL), State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma City
17 - Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
18 - Story Time at Hunter’s Home, Hunter's Home, Park Hill
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Masthead image: 1886 map of Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) showing tribal lands, reservations, towns, villages, schools, rivers, forts, agencies, and railroad lines, published by G. W. and C. B. Colton and Company, New York. The Oklahoma panhandle is not depicted at the time this map was published because it was not yet affiliated with the state—popularly referred to at the time as "No Man's Land" (ITMAP.0182, Oklahoma Historical Society Indian Territory Maps, OHS). |
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