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On Friday, June 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., kick off your summer with a one-of-a-kind night at the Oklahoma History Center that blends weird flavors, creative expression, and Route 66!
At this Cocktails & Collage program, guests aged 21 and over can sample three rounds of distinct cocktail/mocktail creations, featuring a distinctly strange Pops soda flavor. Each round invites guests to experience the adventurous spirit of roadside America in a whole new way.
Non-alcoholic options, water, and heavy bites are also included with admission. Between tastings, guests are invited to create a collage using historic photographs, vintage-inspired materials, and maps to design their own Route 66 postcard.
Our newly opened Route 66 exhibition, The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma, will also be open to tour throughout the evening. This program offers a relaxed, social environment that blends history with hands-on creativity and a bit of playful experimentation.
Come for the drinks, stay for the history, leave with your own artwork!
General Tickets for the event will be $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.
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Visit OHS museums and sites this summer! |
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This season, the Oklahoma Historical Society invites you to visit OHS museums and sites. What do Wild West Shows, Victorian mansions, ranch houses, forts, and battlefields have in common? They are all right here in Oklahoma, where our diverse and exciting past unfolds across the state.
Discover a range of experiences at OHS museums and historic sites, from historic homes to military outposts to engaging museums—there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This season, take the time to visit one of OHS’s museums, historic sites, or affiliated locations.
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Enjoy the benefits of OHS membership! |
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Beverly’s Chicken in the Rough Restaurant, July 1947 (21412.M541.20, Z. P. Meyers/Barney Hillerman Photographic Collection, OHS). |
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LISTEN TO THE LATEST
Historic Restaurants on Route 66
As traffic increased on the Mother Road, restaurants opened to provide sustenance for travelers on their way to their destinations. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss a few historic restaurants, both closed and still thriving, along Route 66 in Oklahoma. For this latest A Very OK Podcast episode, their guest is Kathy Anderson, president of the Billboard Museum Association. She talks about her article in the Chronicles of Oklahoma about the famous Chicken in the Rough meal that Beverly and Rubye Osborn invented in the 1930s.
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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 inspiration 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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Hemmings Great Race making a stop in Claremore!
This summer, the 2026 Hemmings Great Race—a renowned endurance rally for antique, vintage, and collector cars—will include the Will Rogers Memorial Museum as a key stop along its route on Monday, June 22. While in Claremore, the drivers will stop for lunch at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, paying tribute to its location on Route 66.
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TOMORROW EVENING
“Oklahoma, Freedmen, and the Promise of a New Day” Juneteenth panel discussion
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The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) will commemorate Juneteenth with a free educational program, “Oklahoma, Freedmen, and the Promise of a New Day,” and a panel discussion at the Oklahoma History Center on Thursday, June 18. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the panel discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m.
A panel featuring Eli Grayson (moderator), LeEtta Osborn-Sampson, Dr. Carla Pratt, and Marilyn Vann will discuss the history of Freedmen in Indian Territory and provide context to contemporary debates surrounding tribal citizenship.
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THIS WEEKEND!
Summer Solstice Walks
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Celebrate the start of summer on Saturday, June 20, at the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center with a guided solstice walk through the mounds site.
Anna Vincent, the current director of the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, will lead the tours. Two tours will be offered that day—one at 11 a.m., and another at 7 p.m. The 7 p.m. walk will conclude with a viewing of the sunset on the upper terrace. In the event of inclement weather, talks will be held inside the visitor center at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Participants will learn about this unique prehistoric mound site, including the different types of mounds, their purposes, the significance of the solstices, and the solar alignments that occur at Spiro. Vincent will share the history of excavations at the site, discuss Native ceremonies and stories, recount unusual events associated with the mounds, and answer visitors’ questions.
The walk is included with your admission cost. No reservations are needed except for large groups. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 918-962-2062 or follow the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center on Facebook.
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Summer activities at the Oklahoma History Center |
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Looking for the perfect summer activities for your family? Visit the Oklahoma History Center throughout the summer to experience Smithsonian-quality exhibits that bring to life the voices and visions of Oklahoma with hands-on exploration and learning.
This June and July, set your own pace through the Oklahoma History Center galleries and enjoy make-and-take crafts, scavenger hunts, and other activities in a museum setting. All activities will be included with regular admission.
Did you know?
The Oklahoma History Center offers a variety of unique programs to share our state’s past with visitors and school groups across the state. Check out more Learning and Engagement educational resources online!
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Rogers and the Republic exhibit opens |
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On Friday, June 26, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum invites you to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with the debut of the Rogers and the Republic pop-up exhibit. Will Rogers, known for his wit and candid political commentary, entertained audiences across party lines. Experience this special exhibit, a highlight of America’s 250th anniversary, exploring Will Rogers’ perspective on politics and American ideals.
The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with a cannon salute, followed by performances from a drummer boy, a fife player, and a Thomas Jefferson impersonator.
Following the opening festivities, guests are invited to enjoy a special screening of the Will Rogers classic, A Connecticut Yankee.
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Movie Night featuring Will Rogers in A Connecticut Yankee (1931) |
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Blacksmithing demonstration in Perry |
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Photo by Korbyn McKale, McKale Visuals
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On Saturday, June 27, 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.
Admission is free, but donations are always appreciated.
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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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Masthead image:
The Yukon Mill and Grain Company’s large grain storage silos became a Route 66 landmark for travelers. Yukon’s Main Street is the historic alignment of the highway, which paved the way for Yukon businesses to prosper and for the town to become an important agricultural hub. Aerial view of Yukon Mill and Grain Co. (22055.11745.1, Ray Jacoby Collection, OHS).
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