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May is Preservation Month!
The State Historic Preservation Office works every month of the year with citizens and groups throughout the state to identify, evaluate, and protect Oklahoma’s diverse range of historic, architectural, and archeological resources.
As the nation celebrates Preservation Month this May, with the theme of “People Saving Places,” the SHPO is focused on the work being done by people around the state to save history. Some projects tower above us, such as the iconic Art Deco skyscraper of the First National Building, a significant tax credit project in Oklahoma City. It also resides in the natural landscape, as at Medicine Bluffs in Comanche County or the “Ringing the Wild Horse” site near Jones, where events recounted in Washington Irving’s A Tour on the Prairies (1835) occurred. Our history is also found in archaeological sites on the ground surface or buried beneath our feet.
According to the Oklahoma Archeological Survey (OAS), more than 26,000 archaeological sites have been recorded in Oklahoma. Ninety-two archaeological sites are currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and another 355 have been determined eligible for inclusion but have yet to be formally nominated.
Protecting and preserving the past is everyone’s responsibility. So, what can you do to help? You can report archaeological materials by contacting the State Preservation Office or a Tribal Historic Preservation Office. Visit the “Found An Artifact?” page of the OAS website for help in identifying potential archaeological materials. You can also learn about federal and state laws protecting archaeological resources and report looting, vandalism, and trafficking to law enforcement or by submitting a tip by clicking the link below.
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Save the date for Saturday, June 8!
The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will celebrate the lives of Major Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie, his wife May Lillie, and their famous Wild West Shows with a one-day celebration on Saturday, June 8. Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the original historic ranch site.
In addition to all of the festivities, the home of world-renowned Wild West showman Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie will be open to the public on the day of the show.
The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum property includes the 14-room mansion of Pawnee Bill and May Lillie, fully furnished with their original belongings. Also on the 500-acre property in Pawnee, Oklahoma: a museum, the ranch’s original blacksmith shop, a 1903 log cabin, a large barn built in 1926, and a herd of bison. The drive-through exhibit pasture includes bison, longhorn, and draft horses. For more information about the museum and this annual event, call 918-762-2513 with any questions.
Click here to see the full schedule of events planned for Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show.
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Inaugural Impressions:
Oklahoma’s First Ladies Go to the Ball
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On June 7, the Oklahoma History Center will open a new exhibit in the Sam Noble Gallery entitled Inaugural Impressions: Oklahoma’s First Ladies Go to the Ball.
The exhibit will feature a variety of gowns from the Oklahoma Historical Society’s collections, exploring the roles, accomplishments, and contributions the state’s first ladies assumed while their husbands served as governors.
This exhibit highlights how our first ladies developed civic responsibility while navigating the social conventions of past eras. The exhibit follows the evolution of their roles, forged in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and beyond.
Visit the Oklahoma History Center
The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zudhi Drive in Oklahoma City. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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YOU ARE INVITED
Oklahoma History Center Open House
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The Oklahoma History Center will host an exclusive Open House event on Friday, June 7, showcasing the array of unique room rentals available at our museum.
This event will provide attendees with an immersive experience, showcasing the versatility and ambiance of each room through meticulously crafted mock setups. The breadth of possibilities available for events at the History Center ranges from corporate gatherings and weddings to private receptions and cultural celebrations.
Expect door prizes, raffle tickets, or specials for services or products through our amazing vendors. Guests can interact and schedule with industry-leading professionals.
Wine will be offered and served only to those who bring a valid ID and are 21 years of age or older.
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LISTEN TO THE LATEST
The Birth of the State Park System
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Oklahoma was a state for almost thirty years before the state park system was created. Seven new state parks were constructed in 1935 with federal funds and free labor provided by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
In the latest episode of A Very OK Podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the political conditions that led Oklahoma to create the State Park Commission, the invaluable work of the CCC, and the lasting impact of the parks. Their guest is Dr. Matthew Pearce, state historian of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
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Historic Sneed log cabin opens May 31!
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The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) will hold a grand opening ceremony for the newly completed Sneed Cabin on Friday, May 31, at 1 p.m. on the grounds of the Humphrey Heritage Village. Members of the Sneed family will attend to witness the revitalization of the historic structure.
The Sneed Cabin reconstruction began on March 18 and ended in mid-May. This will become the fifth building in the Village and the first to be added in 30 years! It will join the 1893 U.S. Land Office, 1905 Glidewell Mansion, 1902 St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, and the 1896 Turkey Creek Schoolhouse.
Originally built in Cleveland, Oklahoma, during the winter of 1900 by Everett and Mandy Sneed with the help of several neighbors, the newly relocated cabin will serve as a great example of early homestead housing in the eastern part of the Cherokee Outlet, thus increasing the scope of the Heritage Center.
The addition of the Sneed Cabin opens many opportunities for new and returning visitors to CSRHC. The building will be used to demonstrate the daily lives of settlers through demonstrations such as hearth cooking, and its homestead history will be utilized in the pioneer life programming enjoyed by many regional fourth-grade field trips.
CSRHC would like to thank PH Log Homes, Wilkinson Masonry, Mike Shaw, Rillis Howard, David Parker, Old Home Rescue, and everyone else who worked on this project. To see the Sneed Cabin for yourself and learn about its history, visit the CSRHC. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information please visit csrhc.org or call 580-237-1907.
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Angels in the Outfield showing in Claremore
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The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a FREE Movie Night on Friday, May 31, featuring the film Angels in the Outfield (1994) in its theater.
Thanks to the Bank of Commerce’s sponsorship, admission to the movie is free, and guests can also enjoy free popcorn and drinks while watching the film. Seating is limited, so the doors will open at 6 p.m. Please call 918-341-0719 for more information.
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Listen to the "Sounds of the Prairie" |
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On Saturday, June 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School will host a “Sounds of the Prairie” bluegrass performance featuring The Hunt Brothers, a local bluegrass band.
Admission is free to the public and will take place on the Cherokee Strip Museum grounds. Guests for this summer concert are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy the sounds of the prairie musical set with friends and family.
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HIP TO BE SQUARE
Two Basic Barn Workshops in June
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The Chisholm will hold two of its popular beginner barn quilt workshops on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants need only attend one class.
Barn quilts are square-shaped boards painted to resemble a quilt block and then put on buildings. They have evolved into a rural development initiative to boost tourism in communities. Oklahoma State University Extension educator Lindy Hoel will lead both workshops. Each participant will complete a barn quilt to take home.
Registration is required. Each class is limited to 24 people. The cost is $60, and it includes lunch. The workshops are for adults or teens attending with an adult. Call the museum at 405-375-5176 to register.
For those interested in creating larger projects, a two-day advanced barn quilt workshop will be held at The Chisholm from Friday, July 12, through Saturday, July 13.
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Vintage Snack Sets exhibit opens June 1 |
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The Fred and Addie Drummond Home in Hominy will feature an exhibit of Vintage Snack Sets from Saturday, June 1 to Sunday, June 30. When women in the mid-20th century hosted teas, coffees, or church socials, they would wear their “Sunday best” and bring out pretty snack sets that included a plate with a round indention to hold the matching cup. This exhibit includes pieces by manufacturers such as Anchor Hocking, Hazel-Atlas, the Indiana Glass Company, Royal Windsor, Queen Anne, and Royal Albert.
The Vintage Snack Sets exhibit is included with the regular admission fee. For more information, please call 918-352-5583. The Fred and Addie Drummond Home is located at 305 N. Price Ave. in Hominy.
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MAKE-AND-TAKE PROJECT
Useable Block Printing class
A class focusing on the art of block printing will take place at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, June 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants will learn how to create and carve a block print design, and practice printing designs on fabric using small bags. Small bags are included in the ticket price.
Tickets are available online. They are $20 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $25 for nonmembers. All supplies are included in the cost.
Purchase your tickets today! The registration deadline is Saturday, June 15!
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Museums for All
The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) has joined “Museums for All,” offering $1 admission for EBT and Oklahoma Tribal EBT cardholders, as well as for participants of Oklahoma Fosters and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. This initiative aims to make high-quality museum learning resources accessible to a wider audience.
Participation in “Museums for All” underscores the OHC’s commitment to welcoming all audiences to engage with its offerings. “Museums for All” is a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). The program aligns with a nationwide initiative involving more than 850 institutions, spanning art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and more.
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At the Oklahoma History Center, visitors explore Smithsonian-quality exhibits that bring to life Oklahoma’s voice and visions. They can also experience more than 50 topics and 2,000 artifacts reflecting Oklahoma’s inspiring and adventurous past and explore research and interpretive programs of Oklahoma’s rich and diverse history. Plan your visit today! |
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Rue McClanahan was born in Healdton, Oklahoma, and attended Ardmore High School and the University of Tulsa before shoving off to the big lights of New York City.
McClanahan was an established stage performer on Broadway before appearing in TV sitcoms Maude and Mama’s Family. But it was her role as the saucy southern belle Blanche from The Golden Girls that would win her an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1987 and cement her pop culture legacy.
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The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP) in Tulsa is happy to announce that artifacts from iconic actress and Oklahoma native Rue McClanahan have joined its collection.
The collection includes an exclusive life history interview with her sister, Dr. Melinda McClanahan, photos from their childhood, and a silky emerald-green dressing gown worn by McClanahan’s character Blanche Devereaux on the hit television series The Golden Girls. This collection will be part of OKPOP Museum’s Imagined Worlds experience, which celebrates the lives and careers of Oklahomans in film, literature, visual arts, and performing arts.
OKPOP appreciates Dr. Melinda McClanahan and the OKPOP Foundation for making this possible.
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Click event listings below for more information.
22 - “Cats and Cathouses” presentation, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
23 - Thursday Night Lecture Series: The Will Rogers Medallion Award with Chris Enss and Preston Lewis, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
24 - Mr. Pettigrew film screening, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
25 - Nature Walk led by Kara Richardson, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
25 - "Dirt Tells the Story of Our History" talk with Christina Rich-Splawn, Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue, Ponca City
28-30 - History Day Camp *camp is full,* Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
31 - “Hunter Trapper” Living History program ends, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
31 - Sneed Cabin Grand Opening, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
31 - Movie Night featuring Angels in the Outfield (1994), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
1 - Clem Rogers and the Legacy of the Rogers Ranch exhibit closes, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
1 - Vintage Snack Sets exhibit opens, Fred and Addie Drummond Home, Hominy
1 - History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
1 - Sounds of the Prairie bluegrass performance, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry
7 - Inaugural Impressions: Oklahoma’s First Ladies Go to the Ball exhibit opens, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
7 - Basic Barn Quilt Workshop, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
7 - Oklahoma History Center Open House, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
8 - Quilting Workshop, Sod House Museum, Aline
8 - Guided Tours, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
8 - Basic Barn Quilt Workshop, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
8 - Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee
11–15 - “Lift Every Voice: 60 Years Since the Civil Rights Act” Enid Chautauqua in the Park, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
13 - “Masonic Lodges of Oklahoma” presentation by Kenneth Sivard, State Historic Preservation Office
14 - OU/OAS Archaeological Field School concludes, Spiro Mounds Archaeological Site, Spiro
15 - Guided Tours, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
15 - History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
15 - Pinhole Camera Workshop with Jim Meeks, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
17–19 - Wild West Kids Camp, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
18 - Juneteenth Celebration: “Honor, Reflect, and Celebrate!,” Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
19 - Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
20 - Lunch and Learn: “Robert M. Jones: A Choctaw Millionaire in the American South, 1808–1873,” State Historic Preservation Office
20 - Summer Sounds Concert with musical duo Jim Garling and Susanne Woolley, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
20 - The Road to Will film screening and discussion with Steve McAllister, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
22 - Usable Block Printing class, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
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Masthead image: Colorized image detail of a letter written by Josiah H. Vose from Fort Towson, April 22, 1834 to Major General Thomas S. Jesup, Quartermaster General in Washington, D.C. The letter requests that a "suitable house" and stable be built for Vose in his role as commanding officer by first of December of 1834. (Detail page 1, RG94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762–1984, NAID: 423, National Archives). Hear the full contents of the letter being read in the "Post Commander's Quarters" episode of Fort Towson's video series Towson Tales. |
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