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NOVEMBER 11, 1926–NOVEMBER 11, 2026
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66!
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A century ago today, the legendary US Route 66 first opened its doors to adventure. Mark the centennial by visiting the Route 66 Resources page on the Oklahoma Historical Society’s website, where you can discover the latest events and exhibits honoring the Mother Road. Dive into a trove of online gems, from fascinating archives and engaging podcasts to in-depth publications and educational tools, each shining a spotlight on Route 66’s unforgettable place in Oklahoma’s history. Lose yourself in captivating tales, step back in time with vintage videos, and spark your wanderlust by exploring the iconic landmarks that line this storied highway.
Feel the excitement of more than 400 miles of Route 66 weaving through the heart of Oklahoma. Visit the Travel Oklahoma website to uncover the hidden gems, from charming small towns and timeless roadside diners to offbeat attractions scattered along the nation’s longest drivable stretch of Route 66.
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Today in Tulsa!
Five free screenings of Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 at the Centennial Celebration!
On Wednesday, November 11, the Mother Road turns 100! Oklahoma is throwing a monumental birthday party in Tulsa with a day of events throughout downtown, including art, live music, and a street party. There will be free screenings of the new documentary Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 during the centennial celebration! Five different showings will be held throughout the day at noon, 1:30, 3, 4:30, and 6 p.m. at The Canopy, 19 E. Reconciliation Way.
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Tune in to OETA tomorrow night!
Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 will re-air on OETA on Thursday, November 12, at 7 p.m.
Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 reveals why Oklahoma is the heart of the Mother Road, weaving together the rich history of America’s most iconic highway with the inspiring stories of the people who continue to live, dream, and shape Route 66’s next 100 years.
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The Oklahoma Historical Society has three museums along the Mother Road, and each one offers unique and memorable experiences for all ages! Fantastic family-friendly adventures await you along the route.
A family membership to the Oklahoma Historical Society gives you unlimited free admission to all OHS museums and historic sites for up to six people. Visit okhistory.org/join to learn more about all the benefits of membership.
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LOOK TO A VETERAN
Oklahoma Historical Society Military Records
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Since 1893, the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has been collecting records that can help piece together the story of individual military service through a comprehensive collection of resources. Search through compiled military records from Revolutionary War soldiers to Civil War rosters, and documentation for those who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
The center’s reading room offers free access to multiple subscription websites, including Ancestry Library Edition®, Fold3, HeritageQuest™, Newspapers.com, and The Oklahoman Digital Archives, at no charge to the public! The John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center is a treasure trove of books, photographs, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, oral histories, audio, and video about Oklahoma history and culture.
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See the exhibit Faces of the Mother Road: The Lost Portraits of S. J. Tyler
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The Oklahoma History Center Museum is hosting the traveling exhibit Faces of the Mother Road: The Lost Portraits of S. J. Tyler. It is an exhibition of photographs by an Afton photographer whose glass-plate negatives were rediscovered in 2023 by photo historian Adam Forgash.
Tyler operated a photography studio in Afton beginning in 1913, more than a decade before Route 66 was established. For nearly forty years, he photographed the people who lived, worked, and traveled through the northeastern Oklahoma town, including several members of the military. Tyler’s portraits, created between 1913 and 1950, are a time capsule of everyday lives and the extraordinary diversity that flourished along Route 66.
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National Register of Historic Places Overview free webinar! |
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History Alive: President George and Martha Washington
The Oklahoma History Center Museum is honored to present Dan and Kelly Shippey in portrayals of George and Martha Washington as part of America250 and Oklahoma statehood commemorations. Join us for these special presentations on Monday, November 16, and Tuesday, November 17.
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George and Martha Washington Daytime Programs for School Groups
Educators are invited to bring their students to the Oklahoma History Center for this special living-history experience. Students will have the opportunity to engage with two important figures from our nation’s founding era and learn more about their lives, experiences, and legacies through historical interpretation. The program is free for school groups, thanks to a grant from Oklahoma Humanities. Three sessions will be offered on Tuesday, November 17 at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. The 11 a.m. performance will be recorded.
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Applying for an Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant? Let Us Help!
Draft applications are now open for the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program! Have a project in mind but aren't sure if your application is as strong as it could be? Submit a draft by December 10, 2026, at 5 p.m., and receive feedback from OHS staff before the final application deadline.
We'll review your application, identify potential weaknesses, and offer suggestions to help you put your best foot forward. It's free, optional, and a great opportunity to strengthen your proposal!
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History Symposium call for proposals deadline |
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The 2027 Oklahoma History Symposium will be held on May 1, 2027, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Sponsored 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.
The deadline for submissions for the 2027 Oklahoma History Symposium is Sunday, November 15, 2026.
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2027 OHS Awards and Honors nominations |
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The 2027 Awards Banquet will be held on April 30, 2027, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. This event honors OHS award recipients and inducts individuals into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame.
Visit okhistory.org/awards for full details and to download nomination forms. Instructions for submission are included on each form.
The nomination deadline is Sunday, November 15, 2026.
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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:
Arrowood Trading Post, Catoosa, Oklahoma. Staff photo by Trait Thompson.
Route 66 story collage: From the top left clockwise: Tower Theater, Oklahoma City; “You Are Here” pushpin, Wellston; Cotton Boll Motel sign, Canute; detail, Blue Whale of Catoosa; “Kicks 66” sign, Oklahoma City; Golden Driller, Tulsa; pumps outside the Threatt Filling Station, Luther. Center image: Pops neon soda bottle, Arcadia. Trait Thompson images.
Honoring veterans photo: Veterans during a parade in Geary, date unknown (20315.23.4, Kent Ruth Collection, OHS).
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