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“Milestones in Oklahoma History”
THE OKLAHOMA HISTORY SYMPOSIUM
May 2, 2026
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The Oklahoma History Symposium will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Presented by the Oklahoma Historical Society, the symposium is a one-day event encompassing a range of historical topics pertaining to Oklahoma. It provides a venue for scholars, students, educators, public history professionals, and the interested public from across the state and region to share their work and interests with others.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed during the program do not necessarily represent those of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
The Oklahoma History Symposium is free and open to the public, but we ask that you pre-register.
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Schedule at-a-glance:
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit symposium exhibitors
9:30 a.m.
Networking, coffee, and donuts
10 a.m. Meeting of the OHS Membership
Open to the public, this brief meeting includes updates about OHS activities, board election results, and the swearing-in of new board members.
10:15 a.m. Organizational Meeting of the OHS Board of Directors
This short public meeting may include the election of officers and committee appointments.
10:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch
Visit the ToGo Box, The ToGo Burger, and Oh Sugar Honey Iced Tea food trucks.
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10:30–11:30 a.m. Book signings
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 W. Edward Rolison
Route 66 and the Story of Sam Hawks: Pioneer, Entrepreneur, Politician (Oklahoma Hall of Fame Publishing, 2025)
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 Dr. Donald L. Fixico
Chitto Harjo: Native Patriotism and the Medicine Way
(Yale University Press, 2025)
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 Randy Krehbiel
Tulsa, 2021: A Massacre’s Centennial and a Nation’s Reckoning
(University of Oklahoma Press, 2025)
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Patricia Dawson, co-editor
A History of the Cherokee Nation by Rachel Caroline Eaton (University of Oklahoma Press, 2025)
Patricia Dawson (Cherokee Nation) is Eaton’s great-great-great niece. She is assistant professor of history at Mount Holyoke College.
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11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Welcome and Keynote with Glenn English
Chesapeake Event Center
Our keynote speaker is the Honorable Glenn English, retired CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and former ten-term US representative from Oklahoma’s Sixth Congressional District.
English will speak about his two decades as a US representative from Oklahoma and his leadership of the lobbying arm of America’s 900+ electric cooperatives. The electric co-ops are the ultimate “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” industry. Starting in the 1930s with President Franklin Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Act, co-ops transformed rural America. Hear about a truly grassroots initiative that took hold and thrived in areas for-profit companies refused to serve. The co-ops are doing it again with high-speed broadband service, bringing modern life to rural areas.
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Afternoon sessions
The Oklahoma History Symposium will offer a wide range of topics in multiple afternoon sessions. They will be held from 12:45 to 4:30 p.m. in the Devon Great Hall, the Chesapeake Event Center and Gallery, the Musser Learning Lab, the OERB Classroom, and the Fischer Boardroom within the Oklahoma History Center.
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Thank you to our sponsors:
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National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
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OHS Membership Meeting
A meeting of the membership of the Oklahoma Historical Society will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at okhistory.org/BOARD.
Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors Organizational Meeting
An organizational meeting of the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. Agendas will be available online 24 hours prior to the meeting at okhistory.org/BOARD.
Both meetings will be held in person at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
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PROTECTING CULTURAL HERITAGE
State Historic Preservation Office free virtual programming
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Throughout the year, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) presents free online webinars covering a wide range of topics to provide practical knowledge for preserving cultural heritage. It also holds workshops twice a year to provide expert guidance on best practices for protecting historical resources.
See the full schedule and register for upcoming webinars, or view past programming on-demand on the SHPO events page.
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Follow the OHS website calendar to learn about our events and programs at OHS museums and historic sites across the state! Our calendar constantly changes with the latest programs and activities, from seasonal events to celebrations, exhibits, films, educational classes, and workshops.
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Connect with the Oklahoma Historical Society on social media—where you can learn more about Oklahoma history and get up-to-date information about events and exhibits across the state!
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Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 |
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Begin your journey on the Route 66 Resources page on the Oklahoma Historical Society’s website to keep up to date with the upcoming events and exhibits celebrating the legendary Mother Road. Explore a rich collection of online treasures, from interesting archives and podcasts to detailed publications and educational tools, each highlighting Route 66’s unique role in Oklahoma’s story. Immerse yourself in captivating stories, relive the past through vintage videos, and find your inspirations by visiting the iconic landmarks that dot this iconic highway.
Experience the thrill of more than 400 miles of Route 66 winding through Oklahoma. Head to the Travel Oklahoma website to learn about all of the charming towns, classic roadside diners, and quirky attractions along the nation’s longest drivable stretch of Route 66.
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