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Free screening of Crossroads of America: Oklahoma's Route 66 at the Tee Pee Drive-in Theater! |
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On Sunday, September 13, at 8 p.m., there will be a free screening of the new documentary Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 at the Tee Pee Drive-In Theater in Sapulpa.
The Oklahoma Historical Society, in collaboration with Director Bryan Beasley, producers Jon and Jaime Roman, and with support from the Inasmuch Foundation, has produced Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66. This documentary examines the evolution of Route 66 in Oklahoma, from the hardships of the Dust Bowl era to post-WWII road trips. It explores the highway’s history and future through interviews with historians, interactions with small-business owners, and scenes created using virtual production technology filmed at the Cherokee Film Studios.
No admission is required to attend the screening, but attendees must reserve a seat!
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Guest Lecture with author Caleb Gayle |
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The Oklahoma Historical Society will host a guest lecture with Caleb Gayle at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City on Thursday, September 24. The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Black Moses charts the rise of Edward McCabe and his efforts to create a Black state in Oklahoma Territory during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
After the lecture, there will be a question-and-answer session, followed by a book signing and reception. Copies of Black Moses will be available to purchase during the event. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested.
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Coleman Theater partner page joins The Gateway |
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Historical Marker Program
The OHS Historical Marker Program commemorates the people, places, and events that are significant to Oklahoma history. Today, there are records for more than 700 markers across the state. Many of these markers no longer exist, and not all of them were sponsored by the OHS.
Oklahoma is a big state, so we appreciate help from local people, communities, and organizations to keep track of historical markers. If you find a marker in your area and want to know if it’s listed, you can check the Historical Marker Program database.
We regularly update the database with new locations, descriptions, and photos. Applications for new historical markers are accepted twice a year. If you’d like to apply, please send in your application by the next deadline: October 15, 2026.
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Hungry Oklahoma
On Wednesday, September 9, at noon, the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library will host a book presentation by author Robert Lee Maril. He will be discussing his book Hungry Oklahoma: Confronting Poverty and Food Insecurity (University of Oklahoma Press, 2026).
In writing the book, Maril drew upon interviews and participant-observation data from his volunteer work at a food pantry and combined them with census and sociological data. Join the discussion on the ethnographic details of the status of poverty and low-wage workers in the state today.
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Annual Ice Cream Social
The Friends of the Fred and Addie Drummond Home are happy to announce that the annual Ice Cream Social will be held on Saturday, September 12, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The family-friendly event will be held outdoors. Special guests will include Osage storyteller Diane Fallis, who will also join the festivities. After touring the late-Victorian-style historic home built in 1905, guests can enjoy delicious ice cream by the scoop on the back porch. For more information, please call 918-352-5583.
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Award nominations open
The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) encourages organizations and individuals to nominate others or self-apply for the OHS Awards and Honors. You do not have to be a member of the OHS to nominate or to receive an award. Current members of the OHS Board of Directors and current employees of the OHS, its museums, sites, and affiliates are not eligible. Awards are not necessarily given every year. Award recipients are recognized at the annual Awards Banquet at the Oklahoma History Center each spring.
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Submissions and Evaluations
The nomination period opened on September 1, 2026, and the nomination deadline for all awards is November 15, 2026. All completed nominations are provided to the selection committee, which is comprised of members of the OHS Board of Directors. Nominations are evaluated on merit, not endorsement. Questions about OHS awards should be directed to Matthew Pearce and Anna Davis. |
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The 2027 Oklahoma History Symposium will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2027, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
Call for Proposals
This year’s theme is Invented Oklahoma: Myth, Memory, and the Making of the Sooner State. Oklahoma has long been concerned with its public image on a regional, national, and international stage. For example, the Golden Driller monument in Tulsa recalls a perceived golden age when the city served as “the Oil Capital of the World.” Meanwhile, with the 2028 Summer Olympics on the horizon, Oklahoma City promotes itself as “the Modern Frontier” and a regional destination. Oklahoma history is full of stories that have been raised to mythic proportions. But whereas myth tends to erase nuance and reinforce stereotypes, we welcome proposals that convey new findings or introduce innovative methodologies that challenge and complicate our understanding of Oklahoma and the region that we call home. We encourage proposals that engage key themes in history and related fields. Above all, we look forward to submissions that foster collaboration and understanding among individuals, communities, and organizations from across the state and region.
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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!
Masthead image:
A young boy, dressed in period clothing, crouches on the ground in Checotah to watch the Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment (Staff photo by Trait Thompson).
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