EXTRA! - Women preserving history

WEDNESDAYS IN MARCH

Hear the stories of Women Preservationists

In March, to celebrate Women’s History Month, the State Historic Preservation Office is offering a new video series that will feature stories about women working in the field of historic preservation. Every Wednesday, follow SHPO on Facebook to hear the first-hand accounts of Vanessa Morrison, Lisa Chronister, Elizabeth Toombs, and Kristina Wyckoff, as they discuss their passion for historic preservation. Each video interview uncovers the reasons these women chose to work in this field, the types of projects they are a part of, and what inspires them about the future of their work.

This project was created to increase awareness of people in our community who are saving historic places. Whether they are community advocates, architects, archaeologists, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, or community members, there is a concerted and ongoing effort to save and protect our collective heritage.

Nature Walk at Fort Towson

The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a nature walk on Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Kara Richardson of Broken Bow will lead the walk. Richardson draws on her experiences as a southeast Oklahoma native to advocate for natural resources education and the perpetuation of wild herbs and medicinal plants. Her methods focus on proper plant identification, range, and historical uses.

The walk will begin at the Fort Towson Historic Site Visitor Center at 10 a.m. and proceed to the fort grounds. Guests should expect uneven terrain and a slow, intentional pace with frequent stops for observation. This program is FREE to the public, thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers. For more information about the events or to register, call 580-236-0537 or email fttowson@history.ok.gov.

WRMM Spring Break Activities

Free Spring Break activities are planned at Will Rogers Memorial Museum  every day from March 18 to 22 between 1 and 3 p.m. On those days, the family-fun activities are based on some aspect of Will Rogers’ extraordinary life, ranging from his time as a cowboy to his love of aviation. All children under 17 are admitted free during spring break thanks to a donation by Win and Kay Ingersoll!

The week will wrap up on Friday, March 22, with the Mid-Afternoon Frolic Talent Show, where kids can perform their talents on the stage of the Will Rogers Theatre and compete for prizes. Click here to see the full schedule, and to sign up for the Talent Show.

Artillery Demonstrations

On Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Honey Springs Battlefield will host artillery demonstrations highlighting the use of Civil War-era firearms. This outdoor education station will inform visitors about military drills, artillery practices, and ammunition used in the Civil War Battle of Honey Springs.

Guests are encouraged to explore exhibit installations highlighting the artillery used in battle in the east gallery exhibit hall featuring 14 audio players with recordings from first-hand, written accounts of soldiers who fought at the Battle of Honey Springs. Call 918-617-7125 for more information.

Hominy-Making Workshop

Hunter’s Home will host a hominy-making workshop on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hominy was a staple in the 19th-century diet because corn was widely available. Processing it into Hominy boosted the nutritional value, acted as a preservation method, and made for a delicious meal. The workshop costs $20 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $25 for nonmembers. There are limited spots available for this workshop. Call 918-456-2751 to register. Advanced registration is required, and the payment is non-refundable. Call 918-456-2751 or email huntershome@history.ok.gov.

COMING SOON!

Chuck Wagon Gathering

Visit the Chisholm Trail Museum and Horizon Hill on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day filled with cowboy fun! See a variety of working chuck wagons from across the region at the annual Chuck Wagon Gathering, where cooks will prepare some of their favorite dishes. Activities include live music by Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road, cooking demonstrations with sample food, gunfights, Wild West Show performers, Medicine Man shows, and more. The daytime activities are free! Don’t hesitate to contact the museum at 405-375-5176 for more information.

Vietnam War–Era Veterans Pinning Commemoration Ceremony

On Friday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Oklahoma History Center Museum (OHCM), in association with VillagesOKC, the local offices of Humana, Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight, Navigating Medicare, and the Force 50 Foundation, is hosting a pinning ceremony honoring all the servicemen and servicewomen, active or reservists, who served anywhere in the world during the Vietnam War-era. 

The keynote speaker at the event will be Lieutenant Colonel Michael E. Sloniker. He is a highly-decorated Vietnam War veteran, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2013. Colonel Peter Plank and Michael Do will also be speaking at the event. Music will be provided by the 145th Army Band, known as “The Governor’s Own.” The event will be held in the Devon Great Hall of the OHCM, with the doors opening at 9 a.m. This event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information.

On Saturday, March 30, the Oklahoma History Center Museum will open Into the Mirror, an exhibit featuring 20 Native American artists from the museum’s permanent collection.

The works range from 1878 to the present and were chosen because they are works by Native Americans depicting Native Americans. Since the beginning of colonization, representations of Indigenous peoples have been controversial, ranging from overly romantic and idealized to racist caricatures. This exhibit holds the spotlight on how Indigenous people represent themselves.

Image: Fight Between, 1879, by Buffalo Meat (Cheyenne). Colored pencil, watercolor, and graphite on ledger paper (01042.001, Oklahoma Historical Society Collection).

From the Stacks: Ben Hur

The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library (OTM) in Guthrie will be exploring the historical context of the book title Ben Hur: A Tale of Christ (1880) at the Thursday, March 21 meeting of From the Stacks: Readings from the Carnegie Library. The program will take place at 6 p.m. inside the Carnegie Library. OTM curator/registrar Michael Williams will lead the discussion. Admission is free, and donations are always appreciated.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Spring Kilgen Theatre Organ performance

On Monday, April 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., a Kilgen Theatre Organ performance at the Oklahoma History Center will feature organist Rosemary Bailey. Her song selections will follow the theme “Here’s Rosie!” Tickets are available online. They are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for the general public.

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors—13 are elected by the OHS membership and 12 are appointed by the governor of Oklahoma.

Our current OHS members recently received their ballots by mail and will be voting for new board members in the coming weeks. If you would like to vote in future elections, learn about becoming a member of the OHS by clicking here. You can learn more about our current OHS Board of Directors by clicking here.