Events for December 1, 2022 - January 14, 2023
Events List Navigation
December 2022
“History of Masonic Temples in Oklahoma” presentation by T. S. Akers
On Thursday, December 1, at 7 p.m. Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library will host “History of Masonic Temples in Oklahoma,” a presentation by T. S. Akers. Akers, a historian of Freemasonry in Oklahoma, will discuss the establishment and architecture of Masonic Temples in Oklahoma. T. S. Akers is a resident of Oklahoma City who graduated from Eufaula High School in 2003. He is also a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and curator of collections for the McAlester Valley of…
Find out more »Museum Store Sale
Come to the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) on December 2 and 3 for the annual Museum Store Holiday Sale! Every year, additional discounts are given to Oklahoma Historical Society members, staff, and volunteers. Each group receives an additional 10% off regularly priced merchandise, and the general public will also enjoy a 10% discount! The OHC Museum Store is stocked full of unique gift items related to Oklahoma history and culture, that your friends and family are sure to love. A variety…
Find out more »Will’s Country Christmas
Visit Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Oologah for Will’s Country Christmas on Friday, December 2, and Saturday, December 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. The ranch house will be decorated for an Indian Territory Christmas. The evening will include storytelling, Wild West shootouts, children's crafts, 19th-century games, carriage rides, a shooting gallery, music, vendors, and food trucks. Guests will also have the opportunity to take a Wild West hayride by the shores of Oologah Lake. Bring your family and take…
Find out more »Museum After Dark: Christmas in the Village
Come experience a Victorian Christmas in Humphrey Heritage Village at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center on Friday, December 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. Visitors will feel the warmth of holiday cheer throughout the beautifully decorated Humphrey Heritage Village. For just the regular cost of admission, visitors will hear Christmas carols echoing throughout the village from local choirs as they tour the Victorian-era Glidewell House. There are many other activities for the family, including ornament decorating, crafts, hot drinks,…
Find out more »Dust to Eat (2021) film screening and discussion
On Saturday, December 3, the Oklahoma History Center will screen the film Dust to Eat (2021), which will be followed by a discussion. It takes the viewer through the drought and ensuing dust storms of the thirties from the perspective of Caroline Henderson, who, with her husband, stayed behind to save the family farm. Through poignant narration and imagery, the film explores the lasting impact of one of the worst natural disasters in our nation’s history 85 years after it…
Find out more »Guthrie’s Distinctive Homes Tour and Wassail at the Carnegie Library
The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library will be part of Guthrie’s Distinctive Homes Tour on Saturday, December 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. which gives an exclusive look inside some of Guthrie’s most distinctive homes and historic buildings, decorated for the holiday season. The Carnegie Library—a stop on the tour—is the place for tour participants to hear tales of the early days of Oklahoma's first capital while having a warming cup of wassail. Guthrie's Territorial Christmas festivities will…
Find out more »Photos with Santa at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum
The Heritage Gallery at Will Rogers Memorial Museum will be the perfect backdrop for Photos with Santa on Saturday, December 3, and Saturday, December 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your family and your camera to take beautiful family pictures with Santa. Admission is free to take photos. For more information, please visit willrogers.com or call 918-341-0719. Be sure to visit Will’s Country Christmas event at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch on December 2 and 3, from 5…
Find out more »Fort Gibson Christmas Candlelight Tour
On Saturday, December 3, the Fort Gibson Historic Site will open its doors after hours for its Christmas Candlelight Tour. Fort Gibson staff and volunteers will lead visitors through a number of scenes depicting Christmas on the frontier. The scenes begin in the rooms of the log palisade, wind through the mess hall, and end in the sutler’s store for cider and ginger snaps. Bundle up to take in the sounds of music, smells of mulled cider, and laughter of…
Find out more »“Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act” webinar
On Monday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will provide an introduction to, (or a refresher on), relevant and useful aspects of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and explain the review process. In this free online training, SHPO staff will convey the importance of the Section 106 process and assist anyone and everyone who might be involved in that process in Oklahoma. Questions will be welcome throughout the…
Find out more »“Documenting Post-European Contact Archaeological Sites in Oklahoma” webinar
On Tuesday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will hold a free webinar on the subject of documenting Post-European contact by examining various archaeological sites in Oklahoma. This presentation is intended to provide guidance to archaeologists documenting Post-European Contact archaeological sites in Oklahoma for review by the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office (OKSHPO). We will review available resources for researching your project area and site, both prior to an actual survey…
Find out more »Holiday Market at the Museum
The Museum of the Western Prairie will host its eighth annual Holiday Market at the Museum on Tuesday, December 6, at 6 p.m. This event showcases the talents of 12 area artists and provides a terrific holiday shopping opportunity for the general public. The Holiday Market at the Museum is free and open to the public. Find unique, one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts for everyone on your list from paintings, jewelry, works in wood, and mosaics, to pottery. As an added bonus,…
Find out more »“Tribal Consultation in the Section 106 Process” webinar
On Thursday, December 8, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will hold a free virtual webinar on Tribal Consultation in the Section 106 Process. SHPO is pleased to announce that representatives from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) will be presenting this year's training session on Tribal Consultation in the Section 106 Process. Register for this webinar
Find out more »Oklahoma Tall Tales Uncovered presentation and book signing with author Joe M. Cummings
On Friday, December 9th at 3 p.m., author Joe M. Cummings will be signing copies of his new book, Oklahoma Tall Tales Uncovered, (2022, Arcadia Publishing) at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC). Cummings will give a short program where he talks about his book and the research that went into writing it. Following the program, he will be available to personalize copies of his book. Bring your copy or purchase one in the CSRHC gift shop! About the…
Find out more »Steamboat Heroine discussion *canceled*
The discussion on the discovery and recovery of the steamboat Heroine previously scheduled for Saturday, December 10 has been canceled. On May 6, 1838, Heroine was navigating the Red River on its way to Fort Towson to deliver much-needed supplies to soldiers stationed there. The 1830s side paddlewheel steamboat was 20 minutes from its destination when it hit a snag and sank. Everyone on board survived, but the supplies and ship were lost. In 1999 the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS)…
Find out more »Breakfast with Santa
Preservation Oklahoma is excited to present Breakfast with Santa at the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion on Saturday, December 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. Attendees will enjoy a delicious breakfast, a craft, and of course—meeting Santa! All families are invited to join in the holiday fun. Admission to the event is $25 per person. Please note that tickets are available by breakfast time, however, attendees are welcome to participate in the other activities at any time. Tickets are nonrefundable. …
Find out more »Christmas Open House
The Sod House Museum’s Christmas Open House will be held on Saturday, December 10, from 1–3 p.m. Enjoy the holidays in Oklahoma’s only remaining sod house that will be decorated for the season in the style of a traditional 1890s Pioneer Christmas. The beautiful sound of the dulcimer will be showcased in traditional songs during the open house. Traditional holiday music will be performed by area musicians and stringed groups including Silver Strings, a mountain dulcimer group, and hammered dulcimer…
Find out more »Christmas Open House
The annual Christmas Open House at the historic Fred and Addie Drummond Home will take place on Saturday, December 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. Every room of the house will be decorated for the Christmas season. Santa Claus will be on hand for photos, and guests will be given a Christmas treat at the end of the tour. This is the perfect way to celebrate the Christmas season with family and friends! Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for…
Find out more »Holiday Open House
On Saturday, December 10, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will host its annual Holiday Open House from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors can view seasonal decorations throughout the home of the world-renowned Wild West Show entertainer Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie. Holiday decorations will adorn some of the outbuildings at the 500-acre working ranch. Family-friendly, festive activities will include outdoor surrey rides (weather permitting), children’s crafts, and an opportunity to take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hot cocoa…
Find out more »Civil War Christmas program
Honey Springs Battlefield is excited to announce its Civil War Christmas event on Saturday, December 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event will be steeped in the history of Christmases past and fun for adults and children alike. Children are encouraged to bring their wish lists to the newly expanded Honey Springs Battlefield Visitor Center, where they can see the new exhibits and take photographs with Santa. Civil War reenactors dressed in period attire will add to the festive…
Find out more »Carolers and Cocktails at the Overholser *canceled*
The event “Carolers and Cocktails” previously scheduled for December 10 at 6 p.m., has been canceled.
Find out more »Christmas Open House
On Sunday, December 11, from 1 to 4 p.m., Hunter’s Home will host its annual Christmas Open House. Visitors will see the home and general store decorated for the holiday season and will enjoy cider and snacks while sitting around a roaring fire. For more information, please call 918-456-2751. Be sure to see Hunter's Home after dark from Tuesday, December 13, through Saturday, December 17, from 4–8 p.m. each day! On those dates, the site will host five nights of…
Find out more »Christmas Tea
On Sunday, December 11, the Cherokee Strip Museum in Perry will host a Christmas Tea from 1:30 to 4 p.m. This event coincides with the Tour of Homes in Perry when the museum opens its doors to the public. The museum, the gazebo, and Rose Hill School will have festive holiday decorations to set the mood for an old-fashioned Christmas. Historical interpreters in Victorian dress and 3rd- and 4th-grade carolers will add to the seasonal splendor. Guests can enjoy tea,…
Find out more »“Working with the National Register of Historic Places” webinar
On Monday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to noon (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will hold a free webinar about the National Register of Historic Places which is the foundation of the SHPO's programs. The webinar will include information about the types of properties that can be nominated to the National Register and the criteria applied to evaluate a property's significance and historic integrity. Register for the webinar
Find out more »“How to Research your ‘Historic’ Property” webinar
On Tuesday, December 13, at 10 a.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will be teaching helpful strategies for researching historic properties in this free webinar. The virtual class will identify important sources of information for researching a variety of property types, and follow a step-by-step walk-through of the National Register of Historic Places nomination form and documentation requirements. Register for the webinar
Find out more »Holiday Candlelight Tours
Oklahoma’s only remaining pre-Civil War plantation home will host five nights of candlelight tours in December. The tours of Hunter’s Home will take place from Tuesday, December 13, through Saturday, December 17, from 4–8 p.m. each day. The 177-year-old home will be decorated in a Victorian holiday style. Period Christmas decorations and candlelight will adorn the home's lavish parlor, sitting room, and dining room. Costumed reenactors will share the history of the home. For more information please call 918-456-2751.
Find out more »“Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program Overview” webinar
On Wednesday, December 14, from 10 a.m. to noon (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will hold a free webinar to teach about the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives. Participants will learn about the federal and state investment tax credits for certified rehabilitation of a certified historic structure. A detailed discussion of the Historic Preservation Certification Application, Parts 1, 2, and 3 will guide owners and developers in successfully preparing the information needed for the State Historic Preservation Office to…
Find out more »“The Secretary’s Standards for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings” webinar
On Thursday, December 15, from 10 a.m. to noon (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office is featuring a free webinar that will feature a discussion of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Generally known as The Standards, these common-sense principles are widely used in the historic preservation field. Whether pursuing the 20% federal and 20% state tax credits for a certified rehabilitation, planning a rehabilitation project funded with federal assistance, serving on a local historic preservation commission,…
Find out more »The Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for Rehabilitation webinar
On Friday, December 16, from 10 a.m. to noon (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office will hold a free webinar featuring a discussion of the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for Rehabilitation. Generally known as The Guidelines, these are the how-to's or considerations that are widely used in the historic preservation field. Whether pursuing the 20% federal and 20% state tax credits for a certified rehabilitation, planning a rehabilitation project funded with federal assistance, serving on a local historic…
Find out more »Bake Day and Gingerbread Decorating
Visit Fort Gibson Historic Site for a special Bake Day on Saturday, December 17, at 10 a.m. The staff at the fort will cook fresh bread and batches of gingerbread cookies just in time for the holidays! Fresh batches of bread will be ready at noon and again at 3 p.m., and big batches of gingerbread cookies will be available throughout the day starting at 11 a.m. The smell of fresh-baked bread will fill the crisp fall air on Garrison Hill…
Find out more »“Shut the Door! Barns in Oklahoma: The Significance of Barns in the Oklahoma Cultural Landscape” webinar
The State Historic Preservation Office is hosting a webinar series entitled “Shut the Door! Barns in Oklahoma,” featuring presenters who specialize in barn history, construction, and restoration. On Tuesday, December 27, the topic will be “The Significance of Barns in the Oklahoma Cultural Landscape.” This December webinar will be the last of the 2022 series. These presentations will be held on the last Tuesday of every other month, beginning at 6 p.m. The webinars will be limited to the first…
Find out more »Sherwood Forest (2022) documentary
The documentary Sherwood Forest (2022) by the late Academy Award-winning producer Gray Fredrickson will air on OETA on Thursday, December 29, at 7 p.m. The documentary follows the story of Samuel Lloyd Noble and a number of American roughnecks who carried out a lengthy top-secret mission to solve the problem of oil shortages in World War II. From March 1943 to March 1944, Noble and his crews drilled 106 wells in one year in a small oil field in Sherwood…
Find out more »Movie Night featuring Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will host a Movie Night featuring the film Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) in its theater on Friday, December 30, at 7 p.m. “Horsing Around with Will” will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., during which families can enjoy activities and crafts relating to the movie’s theme. Admission to the movie is free, and guests can also enjoy free popcorn and drinks while watching the film, thanks to the Bank of Commerce’s…
Find out more »Observing with NASA Smithsonian exhibit kiosk closes
Observing With NASA, an authentic data experience with astronomical imaging will be on display at the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) until December 31, 2022. This exhibit kiosk from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory engages visitors in the art and science of NASA imagery. Observing With NASA offers an introduction to the tools, data, and skills that NASA space scientists and data visualization experts use to create the images of deep space objects that we all know and love. Observing With NASA…
Find out more »January 2023
Wood Window Rescue online workshop
Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. is offering an online Wood Window Rescue online workshop in 2023 with instructors Ty McBride and Morgan Reinhart. The Wood Window Rescue Workshop will educate homeowners on how to restore most double-hung windows and solve common wood window problems. This workshop is designed for all skill types to work and learn at their own pace in the comfort and safety of their own home with videos, a PDF checklist, worksheets, and guides using an intuitive online learning…
Find out more »History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip
Step back in time and experience life in the Cherokee Outlet during History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid. On the first and third Saturday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the four historic territorial buildings in the Humphrey Heritage Village come to life with reenactors dressed in period clothing from the late 1800s. Attendees can sit at school desks in the Turkey Creek one-room schoolhouse while lessons are…
Find out more »“Architecture of the Capitol” presentation by Trait Thompson *canceled*
Due to unforseen circumstances, the "Architecture of the Capitol" presentation has been canceled. Call 405-522-0765 for more information.
Find out more »OKPOP+Cain’s: Sex Pistols 45th Anniversary Live Podcast
On Wednesday, January 11, the OKPOP Radio Hour will be recording a LIVE podcast celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Sex Pistol's 1978 Cain's Ballroom performance with hosts Meg Charron and Garrett Weindorf. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the live recording will begin at 7 p.m. The live recording will feature special guests John Holmstrom, creator/publisher of PUNK Magazine; Larry Shaeffer, former Cain’s Ballroom and show promoter; and his co-conspirator, Scott Munz. On an icy January evening in…
Find out more »Lunch and Learn: “How to Complete HPRI and Site Forms for OKSHPO Reviews” webinar
On Thursday, January 12, at noon (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will hold a free virtual webinar on how to complete Historic Preservation Resource Identification (HPRI) and site forms for Oklahoma SHPO reviews. In this webinar, SHPO National Register Coordinator Dr. Matthew Pearce, and Historical Archaeologist, Kristina Wyckoff, will go step by step through first the HPRI form and then the Oklahoma Archaeological site Survey form to demonstrate how to complete these documents for review by SHPO.…
Find out more »Quilting Workshop
The Quilting Workshop meets on the second Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Sod House Museum for $5 per person. Learn to create appliqué designs, traditional block patterns, original designs, crazy quilts, landscape designs, and paper piecing. New members of any skill level are always encouraged to attend! Share in the happy exchange of shared skills, fun, camaraderie, door prizes, refreshments, discussions, quilt patterns, and old-fashioned bed turnings at the next quilting workshop. Proceeds directly…
Find out more »“Researching Legal Documents” presentation by Dr. Le’Shawn Turner
On Saturday, January 14, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Dr. Le'Shawn Turner, the reference librarian for the Oklahoma City University School of Law, will guide non-lawyers on the process of researching legal sources effectively. This class will be beneficial to college students, genealogists, and people with specific research interests. OHS Archival Collections Manager Mallory Covington will also share the various legal materials of the Eleanor and John Kirkpatrick Research Center in the Oklahoma History Center, where the class will take…
Find out more »