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OETA’s Back In Time: “Woody Guthrie” premiere |
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The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), in partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma History Center, invites the public to a special premiere screening examining the life of Woody Guthrie. This Back in Time episode will screen on Thursday, October 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center Museum.
Be among the first to see this new Back In Time episode as we trace Guthrie’s journey from his Oklahoma roots to a career that would influence generations of musicians and help shape American folk music.
Following the screening, stay for a special panel discussion featuring Cady Shaw and Sam Flowers, who have unique perspectives on Guthrie’s life, work, and connection to Oklahoma.
This event is free, but registration is encouraged. Seating is limited.
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Fall Activities at the Oklahoma History Center |
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Looking for the perfect fall activities for your family? Visit the Oklahoma History Center to experience Smithsonian-quality exhibits that bring to life the voices and visions of Oklahoma with hands-on exploration and learning.
From Friday, October 9, through Monday, October 19, set your own pace through the Oklahoma History Center galleries and enjoy make-and-take crafts, scavenger hunts, and/or other activities in a museum setting.
All activities will be included with regular admission.
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Doaksville Candlelight Tours |
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The annual Doaksville Candlelight Tours are scheduled for Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at the Doaksville Archaeological Site in Fort Towson. This annual event is a unique opportunity to experience the past through reenactor-led tours of the area’s history, which this year will delve into Dr. Eli S. Penwell’s legacy. This walking tour moves through lantern-lit vignette scenes with several interpreters providing historical context along the way. For additional information, please call 580-873-2634 or email fttowson@history.ok.gov.
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The Oklahoma History Center Museum, in partnership with the Vietnamese American Heritage Community of Oklahoma, is proud to announce Our Journeys, presented by Vietnamese Boat People. The museum welcomes guests Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. A series of public programs and community events will accompany the exhibition, including the following film screenings.
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New Wave free documentary screening
On Friday, September 25, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., in partnership with the Vietnamese American Heritage Community of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma History Center Museum will screen the documentary New Wave. The film explores the young subculture of displaced refugees searching for an identity in Southern California by building a safe community space through 1980s Vietnamese American new wave music.
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Year of the Cat free film screening
On Saturday, October 10, from 1 to 3 p.m., in partnership with the Vietnamese American Heritage Community of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma History Center Museum will screen the film Year of the Cat.
Year of the Cat (2025) follows filmmaker Tony Nguyen on an extraordinary quest to solve the mystery of his father, lost in the chaos of the Fall of Saigon 50 years ago. Crafted as an investigative home movie, this intensely raw documentary weaves together moments of humor and heartache, offering an intimate look at how the children of refugees are shaped by war and loss.
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Vietnam War: Untold Stories from the South—Trials, Triumphs, & Tragedies
A powerful new documentary that centers on the lived experiences and overlooked perspectives of South Vietnam and the Vietnamese diaspora will be shown at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, November 7, from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Vietnam War: Untold Stories from the South — Trials, Triumphs, & Tragedies (2025) documentary reexamines the war through the experiences of South Vietnamese civilians, soldiers, political prisoners, refugees, and families whose stories have too often been overlooked, distorted, or excluded from mainstream historical narratives.
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Call for Vendors
The Oklahoma Folklife Festival will be held on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The Oklahoma History Center invites organizations to participate in the 2026 Oklahoma Folklife Festival.
If your organization would like to participate, please complete our form. There will be a $50 booth fee for groups wanting to sell products at the festival.
Please note that not all applicants will be selected to participate in the festival. Applications will close on October 5, 2026, with selections made by October 8, 2026.
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Kate Barnard Historical Marker dedication in Guthrie
The Oklahoma Historical Society will dedicate a historical marker commemorating the life of Kate Barnard at Guthrie City Hall on Thursday, October 1, at 11 a.m.
A brief ceremony will feature Trait Thompson, OHS executive director; Connie Cronley, author of the award-winning book A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard; and Lexi Kruse, a high school student at Morrison Public Schools. Kruse will perform “She Would Not Be Silent: Kate Barnard and the Cost of Reform,” which earned first place nationally for individual performance at the National History Day competition in Maryland.
Light refreshments will be provided. Guthrie City Hall is located at 101 N. 2nd St. in Guthrie.
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Family Farm Day in Enid
Family Farm Day will be held at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 3.
This year’s Family Farm Day at CSRHC is showcasing the “agri-CULTURE” of Northwest Oklahoma and will feature special programming from the various communities of Northwest Oklahoma. Learn how different grains and products were grown and utilized by the diverse cultures that immigrated to the region.
As always, enjoy pumpkin painting, pony rides, vintage tractors, live music, and more! Be sure to bring your sweet tooth and wallet to participate in the silent bake auction full of locally made goodies!
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Overnight at the Museum
Join the Will Rogers Memorial Museum for an activity-filled sleepover! Beginning the evening of Friday, October 16, children and a parent or guardian can stay overnight, sleep where they choose, and play into the early hours.
The event is for children ages 5–14 and one adult per family. Space is limited, and registration is required. The cost is $45 per person or $35 for museum members. The Burrows Agency in Claremore sponsors this event.
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State Fair of Oklahoma
This image depicts Lorna Earlywine Burgess, Dutch Burgess, and Maggie and Cecil Earlywine taking a “ride” in a cardboard automobile prop at the 1909 State Fair of Oklahoma. While their suits, lace day dresses, and hats appear quite formal by today’s standards, they were the regular attire of that period. Before the advent of cell phones, having a photograph taken was a special occurrence. Photographers would set up temporary studios at fairs and expositions—with thematic backdrops—to create souvenir photographic prints. (2012.201.B0171.0381, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, OHS).
Did you know that southeastern Indian nations, removed west in the 1830s, formed agricultural organizations? The Cherokee Agricultural Society held the territory’s first fair in 1845. Read more about the history of Fairs in Oklahoma in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
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Visit the Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center booth at the Oklahoma State Fair from Thursday, September 17, to Sunday, September 27! Shop for clothing, maps, photographic prints, puzzles, card decks, and much more!
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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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