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The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma exhibit opens this weekend! |
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Oklahoma proudly claims the longest drivable stretch of Route 66 in the nation, spanning more than 400 miles. This legendary highway helped shape the heart and soul of Oklahoma, and now a new exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center Museum brings its story to life with a treasure trove of artifacts, from the monumental to the miniature.
The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma exhibit will open on Saturday, May 23.
For 100 years, Route 66 has captured the imagination of the world. Created in 1926, Route 66 connected local, state, and national roads into a highway stretching more than 2,000 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. This effort was part of a broader push to create a nationwide system of highways connecting cities and towns across the country.
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LISTEN TO THE LATEST
Sheb Wooley and Roger Miller
Two of Oklahoma’s most influential entertainers came from Erick, a small town located near the Texas border on Route 66. Sheb Wooley recorded a famous novelty song in 1958 and was the star of the TV series Rawhide, in addition to appearing in over 80 movies. Roger Miller became known as one of country music’s most influential songwriters, winning 11 Grammys in 1964 and 1965. He also wrote the Tony award-winning score to the Broadway musical, Big River. In this latest episode of A Very OK Podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the lives and legacies of these important entertainers. Their guest is Tracy Pitcox, president of the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum in Brady, Texas.
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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 history. Immerse yourself in captivating stories, relive the past through vintage videos, and find inspiration by visiting the iconic landmarks that dot this 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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TAKE A ROADTRIP ON THE HISTORIC HIGHWAY
Visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton!
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For the ultimate Route 66 experience, visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The museum offers visitors a personal journey through the history of the nation’s most revered highway. Encounter the iconic ideas, images, and myths of the Mother Road. Learn about the dreams and the labor needed to make the road a reality.
Experience the Dust Bowl as thousands streamed along the road, away from drought and despair, and towards the “land of promise.” Listen to the sounds of the Big Band era, when the roar of the big trucks and the welcome home cries to returning soldiers dominated the road. Sit at the counter or a booth in the 1950s diner and feel the open road as America’s families vacationed along the length of Route 66.
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Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Collective History Day |
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Join us this May as we celebrate Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Heritage Month. To honor their contributions to Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Historical Society will host AANHPI Collective History Day in partnership with the Asian Festival by the Asia Society of Oklahoma (ASO). This event will take place at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring historical recognitions, traditional and modern art performances, educational cultural booths, and the crowning of the next ASO royalty representatives. |
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Li’l Buckaroos Kids Camp
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum will host a two-day Li’l Buckaroos Kids Camp for children aged 5 to 6 years old on Monday, July 6, and Tuesday, July 7, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The camp will be filled with activities, games, and entertainment specifically designed for young children. Children will receive a cowboy hat, shirt, rope, and other crafts they make and take from camp.
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Dutch Oven Gathering
The Fort Towson Historic Site will host its quarterly Dutch Oven Gathering on Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is FREE for participants and guests. All are welcome to participate in this informal event. For more information about the events or to register to cook at the Dutch Oven Gathering, call 580-873-2634 or email fttowson@history.ok.gov.
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Photo by Korbyn McKale, McKale Visuals
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Blacksmithing Demonstrations
On Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School will hold a come-and-go blacksmithing demonstration. Guests can enjoy watching traditional metalworking techniques in action and learn about the time-honored craft of blacksmithing.
Families are welcome to safely attend and watch the demonstrations inside the Blacksmith Shop on the grounds of the Cherokee Strip Museum. For more information, please call 580-336-2405.
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IN THE ARCHIVES
“The Soldier Boys at Rest”
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Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, is a day to honor men and women who died while serving in the United States military. It originated after the American Civil War to recognize fallen soldiers and decorate their graves. The above pamphlet from 1906, features the three-page poem “The Soldier Boys at Rest” by Freeman E. Miller, a professor of English language and literature at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Oklahoma Territory, what is known today as Oklahoma State University.
Oklahoma Historical Society Military Records
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, the nation remembers those who gave their life through service to the country. The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) Research Center is home to countless military resources that explore the stories and service of war veterans. To search the OHS Research Center Military Records databases and indexes, visit okhistory.org/research/military.
Decoration Day, 1906 pamphlet cover (17751, Historic Oklahoma Collection, Biographical, Miller, Freeman, OHS Archival Collections).
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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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