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SAVE THE DATE FOR JUNE 27!
Watch the story of the Oklahoma State Capitol
June 30 is the 107-year anniversary of the Oklahoma State Capitol’s completion in 1917. In celebration, the Oklahoma Historical Society is pleased to announce The People’s House: The Story of the Oklahoma State Capitol documentary on the Oklahoma State Capitol will be aired on OETA on June 27, at 7:30 p.m.
The documentary features a spectacular four-minute drone tour of the Capitol with glimpses of the House floor, Senate floor, and Oklahoma Supreme Court, providing rare views of the building’s interior and exterior. It walks through the history of the Capitol, the importance of the building, the years-long restoration process, its resilience over the decades, and more. Hear interviews with Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society and former project manager for the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project, along with many others. The documentary was directed by Oklahoma native Bryan Beasley and produced with support from the Inasmuch Foundation.
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GOING THE DISTANCE
From Guthrie to Oklahoma City
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A 1910 postcard designed to influence the outcome of the vote of the people of Oklahoma, illustrating the preference to move the Oklahoma Capitol Building from Guthrie to Oklahoma City (4935, Frederick S. Barde Collection, OHS). |
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A billboard encouraging the public to select Oklahoma City as the state capitol on June 11, 1910. It proclaims Oklahoma City as "the most suitable city" and lists many other attributes to sway potential voters (5940, L. J. Abbott Collection, OHS Photograph Collection). |
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THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
A city rivalry
On June 11, 1910, after years of rivalry, a majority of the people voted to move the state capitol to Oklahoma City. Guthrie had been the capitol city before statehood.
Construction on the Oklahoma Capitol building began after a ground-breaking ceremony on July 20, 1914.
Read The Story of the Capitol. See the OHS Research Center’s Oklahoma State Capitol Groundbreaking page by clicking here.
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Did you know?
- The Capitol building of Oklahoma was the only capitol grounds to have had active oil rigs.
- In 1952, the El Reno earthquake damaged the walls and ceilings inside the capitol.
- The capitol’s dome was completed in 2002.
Click here for more fun facts!
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Visit the Capitol Museum
Created as part of the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project, the Oklahoma State Capitol Museum contains 4,400 square feet of exhibit space and 13 exhibit cases, featuring more than 125 artifacts relating to the history of the Oklahoma State Capitol and the work of Oklahoma’s state government. Plan your visit today!
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Juneteenth: “Honor, Reflect, and Celebrate!” |
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On Tuesday, June 18, from 5 to 8 p.m., the Oklahoma Historical Society will celebrate Juneteenth with a free program, “Honor, Reflect, and Celebrate!” at the Oklahoma History Center. The event,will educate the public about the history of Juneteenth with a book signing, live performances, discussions, and more.
Juneteenth is the celebration of emancipation following the U.S. Civil War. U.S. Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed the end of slavery in Texas at Galveston on June 19, 1865. This news and celebration spread to the enslaved people of Indian Territory throughout that summer.
No registration is required. Light refreshments will be served at the event. See the full schedule of events for "Honor, Reflect, and Celebrate!"
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LUNCH AND LEARN WEBINAR
Who was Robert M. Jones?
The State Historic Preservation Office will hold a Lunch and Learn webinar about “Robert M. Jones: A Choctaw Millionaire in the American South, 1808–1873” on June 20 at noon. Presenter Dr. Jeff Fortney will delve into the complex figure of Robert M. Jones, a Choctaw man who became one of the South’s wealthiest individuals through his involvement in slavery, commerce, and land acquisition during the 19th century. Jones’s life and career during Indian Removal, rebuilding in Indian Territory, the Civil War, and Reconstruction will be explored to gain insights into the intertwined histories of the Choctaw Nation and capitalism in the South.
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LISTEN TO THIS!
Summer Sounds concert with Garling and Wolley
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On Thursday, June 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., a free concert with the musical duo Jim Garling and Susanne Woolley will be held at The Chisholm.
Plan to come early and enjoy dinner from a featured food truck beginning at 6 p.m., spread out your favorite blanket, set up a comfy lawn chair, and enjoy live music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Horizon Hill, the home of territorial governor A. J. Seay. For more information, contact the museum at 405-375-5176.
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The Road to Will film screening and discussion
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Route 66 enthusiast and entertainer Steve McAllister will host a film screening and discuss his experiences traveling the Mother Road, sometimes called the Will Rogers Highway, on Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m., at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
In this special appearance, McAllister will recount his 2022 adventure, during which he rode his motorcycle 10,500 miles through 24 states and Washington, DC (over 84 days) to explore Will Rogers’s legacy. His journey is encapsulated in the documentary he produced, The Road to Will.
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Forts of Oklahoma playing card deck
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16! If you are searching for the right gift, check out the Research Center’s wide selection of playing cards featuring historic images, places, and people important to Oklahoma’s past. The newest deck of playing cards featuring Forts of Oklahoma was designed to increase knowledge of Oklahoma’s military history and to commemorate this bicentennial year for Fort Gibson and Fort Towson. Each card in the deck features the Forts of Oklahoma, represented by images of military outposts, descriptions of conflicts, and information about historical figures in Oklahoma’s military history.
The OHS Research Center store site sells books, maps, photographs, puzzles, and playing cards focusing on Oklahoma history. The public can also submit requests for research orders by clicking here.
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Historic Honey Springs Battlefield
Whether you want a memorable Father’s Day experience or are interested in Civil War history, the Honey Springs Battlefield site in Checotah is a great destination. Visitors can enjoy hiking and area wildlife while exploring the history of the Civil War in Indian Territory. The site encompasses 1,000 acres with walking trails dotted with interpretive signs that take visitors through the Union bivouac area, the Union line of battle, the Texas regiment line of battle—which includes 1/8 mile of the original Texas Road, the battle at the bridge over Elk Creek; the final action; and Honey Springs and the Confederate supply depot.
The Honey Springs Battlefield Visitor Center features exhibits about the battle. Guests are encouraged to explore the east and west gallery exhibit halls, which feature a 3D theater, 14 audio players with recordings from handwritten accounts of soldiers who fought at the Battle of Honey Springs, and exhibits detailing the overall history of the Civil War in Indian Territory. A special gift shop at the Honey Springs Battlefield Visitor Center is full of unique Civil War-era replica items and souvenirs of the site.
For more information, call 918-617-7125 or email honeysprings@history.ok.gov.
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Broad stripes and bright stars
This Friday is Flag Day, the anniversary of June 14, 1777, when the Second Continental Congress adopted “the Stars and Stripes” as the official flag of the United States of America.
Partially colorized image of the 48-star American flag depicting sailors of the USS Oklahoma, 1918–1919 (22907.139, Hyman H. Finkel Collection, Oklahoma Historical Society Research Division).
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Click event listings below for more information.
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!” program, 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
27 - The People’s House: The Story of the Oklahoma State Capitol film screening on OETA
28 - Movie Night featuring Babe (1995), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
29 - Scavenger Hunt, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
29 - Guided Tours, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
30 - Vintage Snack Sets exhibit closes, Fred and Addie Drummond Home, Hominy
July 2024
6 - From Our Hands, exhibit closing, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
6 - Guided Tours, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
6 - History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
11 - “The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) Program at the NPS” webinar, presented by Catherine Lavoie, State Historic Preservation Office
12–13 - Advanced Barn Quilt Workshop, Chisholm Trail Museum and Horizon Hill, Kingfisher
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Masthead image: The Oklahoma History Center has a wide variety of E-Exhibits you can view from the cool comfort of your home! Each one explores an Oklahoma history topic and includes historic images, activities, a glossary, and a bibliography. Experience the full selection of E-Exhibits by clicking here.
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