Vol. 47, No. 6 Published monthly by the Historical Society, serving since 1893 June 2016

Fort Gibson stockade reopens to the public

After three years of restoration, the OHS is pleased to announce the reopening of the stockade at Fort Gibson. “The staff of the Oklahoma Historical Society is excited to welcome the public back into the stockade at Historic Fort Gibson,” said Executive Director Bob L. Blackburn. A ceremonial ribbon cutting was held on Friday, April 22, at 1 p.m. The program took place on the stockade parade grounds, located at 110 East Ash in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. Activities included the presentation of colors, brief remarks, refreshments, and firing of the cannon. According to David Fowler, OHS regional director, “The log stockade closed to the public in the spring of 2013 for extensive restoration. Restoration work ultimately took three years and totaled more than $1.5 million. This work was critical to save this National Historic Landmark for future generations.” nation’s leaders during “Staff members from across the state have worked very hard on the 1840s and 1850s. the restoration,” said Kathy Dickson, OHS director of museums During the Civil War it and historic sites. “While much of the work was contracted, was renamed Fort Blunt some work, such as the necessary grading and drainage work, and was the Union head- was taken on by staff members. We have an incredibly dedicated quarters in Indian Terri- and talented staff. They have been digging ditches and hauling tory. Abandoned in 1890, rocks to make this project possible with our limited funds.” the fort later served as Approximately one hundred reenactors called the fort home for the headquarters for the the weekend as the Frontier Battalion held its spring muster on Dawes Commission for April 23–24. their work enrolling members of the Five Civilized Tribes. At It is fitting that Fort Gibson once again is welcoming visitors in Fort Gibson the commission members focused their attention 2016, since this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of passage on Cherokee Freedmen. of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Fort Gibson The stockade was reconstructed under the Works Progress received federal designation prior to the preservation act. Administration beginning in 1937, and since that time has Fort Gibson and both were named National Historic been operated by the State of Oklahoma under several different Landmarks on the same day in 1960. The National Park Service agencies. In 1983 the OHS assumed operation of the stockade in (NPS) also celebrates its centennial in 2016. The “Find Your addition to the properties it owned on Garrison Hill. The stockade Park” promotion launched by the NPS provides an opportunity was in poor condition when the OHS assumed management, a to focus attention on these important places. situation that only grew worse as the agency endured eleven “Many Oklahomans don’t realize we have twenty-two National budgets cuts during its thirty-three years of management. Vital Parks and National Historic Landmarks in our state,” said repair and maintenance funds were sacrificed during these Blackburn. “Promotion of the ‘Find Your Park’ initiative can help cuts, worsening the downward spiral of the structures. increase public awareness of what is right in our own backyard. A grant through the Oklahoma Department of Transporta- We hope people will visit the National Historic Landmarks that tion’s TEA-21 program provided the biggest single source of OHS owns and share their visitor experiences through social funding. Fort Gibson was eligible for the funds due to its im- media, including www.findyourpark.com.” portance in regional transportation. Built at the critical cross- Fort Gibson served a pivotal role in the political, social, and roads of the Three Forks where the Arkansas, Verdigris, and economic upheaval that marked the westward expansion of the Grand Rivers converge south of the Ozark Plateau, Fort Gibson United States. Fort Gibson was established in 1824 to keep the was key to river navigation. It also served as an outpost on the peace between the Osages and Cherokees. It figured promi- Texas Road connecting settled Missouri with the new country nently in the Indian removals, and was home to many of our of Mexico after independence from Spain in 1820. Other fed- eral project funds included a Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Park Service. The grants, with matching state funds, made it possible to complete what was ultimately $1.5 million in restoration work. Work continues on restoration at the fort. The first and second phases of restoration work on the 1872 hospital building will begin shortly. This project is made possible by funding through the Long Range Capital Planning Commission under the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. Fort Gibson is located at 907 North Garrison in Fort Gibson. Regular hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. For more information please call 918- 478-4088. resentative Don Ross, I served as chair- New Members, April man of the Tulsa Race Riot Commission, which gave us opportunities to explore *Indicates renewed memberships at a the roots of racism and create dialogue higher level about one of the most shameful moments Director’s in Oklahoma history. Benefactor column We added staff members such as Bruce *David Russell, Enid Fisher, a fellow historian and leader in the Associate African American community, and Larry Howard K. Berry Jr., O’Dell, whose research skills opened new *Rosa Flipse, Del City *Garfield Furniture, Enid doors of opportunity. One national leader Penny Lane, Ardmore who recognized our efforts was Oklaho- *Logan and Donna Sharpe, Checotah By Dr. Bob L. Blackburn ma’s own Dr. John Hope Franklin, who *Tom Walker, Tulsa Executive Director participated in several programs that packed the Oklahoma History Center. Friend As any farmer knows, if you want to Penny George, Oklahoma City As the planted seeds sprouted and grew, *Don and Joyce Keel, Edmond harvest a crop, first you have to plant the the collections started coming our way Phil Kliewer, Cordell seeds. Recent donations of several collec- Helen Lange, Oklahoma City and filling a gap long neglected. Donors tions associated with African American *Mary Lindemann, Norman included leaders in the civil rights move- *Frank and Nadine McPherson, Oklahoma City history prove that point. ment such as Hannah Atkins, Jimmy *Rondi Ott, Enid After too many decades of ignoring *Rex and Joy Riggleman, Midwest City Stewart, Frederick Moon, and the family African American history, leaders at the of Roscoe Dunjee. Artifacts spanned the OHS starting planting seeds of reconcili- Family themes of business, schools, military ser- *Don and Dot Adkins, Norman ation in the 1970s. Alice Everett, a com- vice, sports, music, and associations. Bob Bailey, Weatherford munity leader in Oklahoma City, was the Kathryn Bailey, Midwest City The harvest accelerated when the fam- first chairperson of the Black Heritage Bill and Susan Bartheld, Haymarket, VA ily of Clara Luper donated her archival David and Gladys Boggs, Oklahoma City Committee. She was followed by Zella and artifact collection. Today, her story *Jean Louise Brody, Bethany Patterson, Major Rose, Rubye Hall, Eddie Matt and Jenny Brunton, Edmond is the centerpiece of a new exhibit about *John R. Calhoun, Windsor, ON Faye Gates, and Shirley Nero. African Americans at the Oklahoma His- Melanie Carpenter, Bethany As the OHS Board planted seeds and Ashley Carter and Teresa Merrill, Midwest City tory Center. charted new directions, the staff em- Franklin and Margaret Cullum, Sallisaw Last week, Larry O’Dell, Bruce Fisher, Norman Dunagin, Nichols Hills braced and nurtured early efforts to in- and I attended services at St. John Mis- Shaun and Victoria Eller-Moore, Oklahoma City clude African American history into OHS Roberta Ensign and Kyle Wendling, Edmond sionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma programs. Although lacking in collec- Amanda Forum and Lee Parmenter, Coweta City. In front of his congregation, the Rev- Angi and Cheryl Gavin, Oklahoma City tions, we had plenty of stories to share erend Major Jemison announced that the Elizabeth Givens and Ashley Jaques, Yukon through publications and speeches. Matt and Shelly Glazner, Oklahoma City church is donating its archival collection Harry and Cathy Goett, Oklahoma City Thanks to the generosity of the late to the OHS. In addition to materials about Debra Hampton, Edmond Currie Ballard, whose family history Jayne Harless and Alyson Wendling, Midwest City the history of one prominent church, the went back to freed slaves in the Cherokee Andre and Carrie Harris, Oklahoma City collection includes the personal archives Patsy Heidlage, Claremore Nation, we had access to collections for of W. K. Jackson, a leader in the civil Darrin and Jill Hill, Edmond early exhibits on the African American Pete and Jane Holcombe, Oklahoma City rights movement, and Reverend Jemison, experience. I will never forget one inter- Bethany Holley-Griffith and Jennifer Brown, Del City an outstanding community leader. Kim Jensen and Kayla Dowdy, Edmond active exhibit, curated in the mid-1990s Yes, if you want to harvest a crop, first Doug and Donna Johnston, Oklahoma City by Sandy Stratton, that focused on Catherine Jones, Moore you have to plant the seeds. After four J. T. and Brandy Langston, Luther slavery. Other exhibits made possible decades of planting seeds of reconcilia- through Currie’s collections include Af- tion, we are harvesting the story of the rican American educators and the All- cont’d. on p. 7 African American experience. Black towns. We were planting seeds. Oklahoma Historical Society Membership Office: Alma Moore The pace of planting accelerated in the 405-522-5242 1990s. Thanks to the leadership of Rep- [email protected]

Mistletoe Leaves (USPS 018-315) is published monthly by the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105- 7917. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK. (ISSN 1932-0108)

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mistletoe Leaves, 800 Nazih Development News Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917.

By Larry O’Dell By authorization of the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Board of Directors, 6,000 copies are prepared at a cost of $1,276 each month. The The 2016 Oklahoma History Conference in publication is financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. Woodward concluded at the end of April. The Contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Oklahoma Historical Society or the United States Department of conference was very successful, but also bitter- the Interior. Mention of trade names does not constitute endorsement or sweet. Dr. Paul Lambert has been the lead organizer for this conference for nearly a decade. recommendation by either organization. Mistletoe Leaves is published for the members and friends of the He is officially retiring, and the OHS will have to plan these meetings without his expertise. Oklahoma Historical Society in partial fulfillment of the Society’s purpose to “perserve and perpetuate the and its Paul has elevated our meetings to a first-rate history conference and will be missed. people, to stimulate popular interest in historical study and research, and to promote and disseminate historical knowledge.” At the conference the OHS Board of Directors announced that its members had raised The public and OHS members are encouraged to submit heritage- related items for publication. Students and teachers are invited to share enough funds to contribute to the Shirley Ann Ballard Nero endowment fund and purchase studies and programs and to duplicate contents as desired. Editors are welcome to reprint materials with credit. a paver in Shirley’s name at the Oklahoma History Center. This endowment provides yearly All Oklahoma Historical Society facilities are for the education money for African American programming, research, and projects that focus on Oklaho- and enjoyment of all. State and federal regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination in state and federally assisted programs on the basis of ma’s historic All-Black towns. It is still possible to contribute to the endowment. You can do race, color, national origin, and/or handicap. Anyone denied benefits should contact the grievance manager of so by calling Shelly Crynes at 405-522-0317 or emailing [email protected]. You can the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917, telephone 405-522-5299, and/or the director, find information about our Legacy Limestone Pavers and naming opportunities by contact- Office of Equal Opportunity, United States Department of the Interior, ing Shelly or by visiting www.okhistory.org/support/naming. Washington, D.C. 20240.

2 ditional dancing and singing. This event through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For Events features a wide range of contest dancing, more information please call 877-779- including gourd, straight, grass, and fan- 6977 or email cherokee.tourism@cnent. The Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma in cy dancing. Other categories of dance are com. Details also may be found at www. Durant will feature games and festivities cloth, buckskin, jingle, and fancy shawl. visitcherokeenation.com. perfect for a fun-filled family weekend The public is invited to attend this free on Thursday, June 2, through Saturday, event. There will be food vendors, arts Celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the June 4. As headquarters of the Choc- and crafts booths, and free camping. and Pioneers Museum in taw Nation, the city of Durant also will Events begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. Woodward with exciting exhibitions. A showcase the history and folklore of the on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday. The new exhibit of HDR photography by Mark Choctaws with traditional dances and a powwow grounds are located at 60610 Lemmons is on display through June Choctaw Princess Pageant. Through their East 90 Road, on the north side of the 4. There also is a new statue of Temple colorful dance movements, the dancers street, in Miami. For more information Houston located near the museum’s en- will tell stories rich in American Indian please call 918-540-2535. trance. In celebration of its fiftieth anni- heritage. This free festival will be held at versary, the museum unveiled this new the Choctaw Event Center at 3702 Choc- Explore one of the finest natural history statue and recently dedicated its new, cli- taw Road in Durant. For more informa- museums in the world. The Sam Noble mate controlled storage room. The Plains tion please call 580-924-0848. Museum at the University of Oklahoma Indians and Pioneers Museum is located in Norman has 50,000 square feet of ex- at 2009 Williams Avenue in Woodward. As the National Park Service celebrates hibit space and traces over 500 million Museum hours are Tuesday through Sat- its centennial, one of its goals is to years of Oklahoma’s natural and cultural urday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is reintroduce the National Parks to all history. Visit on Saturday, June 25, from free. Please contact Director Robert Rob- citizens. To do this, Washita Battlefield 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and receive complimen- erson at 580-256-6136 or pipm@swbell. National Historic Site in will tary admission to the museum with valid net for more information. host many activities throughout 2016. library card. Pioneer Library Systems also On Saturday, June 18, Movie Night will will be available at the museum for those be held at 6:30 p.m., which includes a interested in signing up for a library card. family film followed by a park ranger The Sam Noble Museum at the University Meetings leading a discussion. The discussion of Oklahoma is located at 2401 Chautau- The monthly meeting of the Oklahoma will include the film’s relevance to qua Avenue in Norman. For more infor- Genealogical Society (OGS) will be held the Washita Battlefield, the historical mation please call 405-325-4712. accuracies or inaccuracies, and common on Monday, June 6, at the Oklahoma stereotypes found in Hollywood films. History Center in Oklahoma City. Pro- This event is held in the Visitor Center fessional genealogist Rick Fogarty will be and is free to attend. Washita Battlefield Exhibits the speaker and his presentation is en- National Historic Site is located at 18555 titled “Native American Genealogy and Highway 47A near Cheyenne. For more Visit the Cherokee National Supreme Research.” The meeting and program will information please contact Kevin Bowles Court Museum in Tahlequah for a new take place from 6 to 7:45 p.m., and expe- Mohr at 580-497-2742, ext. 3003 or exhibit on the extraordinary accomplish- rienced researchers will be available prior [email protected]. ments of Cherokee women. The exhibit is to the meeting at 5 p.m. to answer re- entitled Cherokee Women Who Changed search questions. Monthly meetings are Head to Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch the World and will be on display from free for OGS members. Nonmembers are near Oologah on June 20–22 for Frontier May 6 through November 30. This exhibit welcome, but are charged $5 to attend. Days Kids’ Camp. This exciting camp highlights the lives of Cherokee women All are invited to join, with more informa- will take youngsters back to the days such as Nancy Ward, Winnie Guess Per- tion available at www.okgensoc.org. OGS before statehood and to November 4, due, Mary Golda Ross, Anna Mitchell, meetings are held on the first Monday 1879, when Will Rogers was born. Kids and Wilma Mankiller. Women always of each month at the Oklahoma History ages five to fourteen can experience life in have held a special place within the Cher- Center, located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive the 1880s on an ranch. okee lifestyle. As the keepers of harmony in the State Capitol Complex. Please call Camp hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Campers and balance, women often were seated on 405-637-1907 for more information. will check in each morning at 7:30 a.m. town councils and advised on all aspects and hike to the various assigned project of daily tribal life. Some women were ap- Do you want your organization’s meet- stations throughout the ranch grounds. pointed as Beloved Women and held spe- ing, event, exhibit, or announcement Appropriate walking shoes are required. cial seats of power at council meetings. As included in the “Around Oklahoma” sec- Camp cost is $35 each for families who mothers, daughters, grandmothers, sis- tion of Mistletoe Leaves? The “Around are members of Friends of Will Rogers or ters and aunts, they raised their children Oklahoma” section features Oklahoma $45 for nonmembers. The registration together with love and tradition. Through- history and heritage-related activities deadline is June 10. Registration forms out the centuries, Cherokee women have or programs sponsored by entities other are available at www.willrogers.com or made great contributions not only to than the Oklahoma Historical Society. at the admissions desk. Space is limited. Cherokee culture, but American culture To submit news items, please contact Please call 918-343-8129 with questions. as well. Do not miss this exclusive ex- Evelyn Brown, assistant editor, by email hibit highlighting some of the Cherokee at [email protected] or by mail Experience the annual Peoria Powwow in Nation’s most inspiring women. The Cher- at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma Miami on Friday, June 24, through Sun- okee National Supreme Court Museum is City, Oklahoma 73105. If you wish a day, June 26. Celebrate American Indi- located at 122 East Keetoowah Street in news item to appear in the July issue, an culture and enjoy three days of tra- Tahlequah. Regular hours are Tuesday you must submit it by Monday, June 6.

3 Chisholm Trail Museum celebrates TG&Y’s eightieth Cold War workshops anniversary with a new exhibit and reunion at the Museum of the

The Chisholm Trail Museum in King- dise, pins, pam- Western Prairie fisher is proud to announce a special phlets, magazines, At 2 p.m. each afternoon from Tuesday, exhibit, entitled TG&Y is Still Alive: The and oral histories. May 31, through Saturday, June 4, the 80th Anniversary Exhibit, celebrating the The museum will Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus eightieth anniversary of the opening of utilize these very will host workshops featuring scholars the first TG&Y store. The grand opening generous donations involved in the annual Oklahoma Chau- of the exhibit will coincide with the TG&Y and memories in Former TG&Y tauqua event. These workshops will ex- reunion group’s annual visit to the Ch- the upcoming ex- employee Teresa plore topics relating to this year’s theme, isholm Trail Museum on Saturday, June hibit. The exhibit Pope Bennett. “The Cold War: The Early Years.” 25, at 1 p.m. The exhibit unveiling will be will include more Afternoon workshop attendees also will open to the public, and visitors will have than eighty store pamphlets from the have the added benefit of exploring the the opportunity to tour the exhibit and 1960s through the 1980s that include Atlas Missile exhibit at the museum. This talk with numerous former TG&Y em- individual photographs and stories about exhibit uses narrative, photographs, and ployees about the history of TG&Y. TG&Y hard-working employees from their time graphics to detail the influence of the is Still Alive: The 80th Anniversary Exhibit spent working at various TG&Y stores Altus Air Force Base as the location of the will remain on display through Septem- across Oklahoma and the nation. Photo- 577th Strategic Missile Squadron in 1961. ber 2016. copies of the original pamphlets will be It explores the construction and opera- In early March 1936 three enterprising available to any former employee who tion of the sites and explains the reasons men, R. E. Tomlinson, E. L. Gosselin, and wishes to take a piece of history home for phasing them out in 1965. Raymond Young merged their money and from the exhibit. Binders with original The exhibit showcases an actual launch resources to co-own and open the first store opening newspaper clippings from control console, which is positioned so TG&Y store on Main Street in downtown around the state of Oklahoma also will be that visitors can see the front of the con- Norman, Oklahoma. Little did these small available to view, in addition to numer- sole as well as its “innards” reflected in a five-and-dime store owners from central ous TG&Y related artifacts such as TG&Y mirror situated behind the opened back and western Oklahoma know that the branded televisions, toy trucks, pins, of the console. Central to the exhibit is opening of this store would lead to one of jackets, glasses, pencils, and countless a hand-carved replica of the squadron’s the largest retail chain store successes in other pieces of merchandise previously patch that symbolized its mission: to be the nation by the 1970s, boasting more sold at TG&Y stores. on constant alert, day and night, around than nine hundred stores and more than For more information about the Chis- the world. $2 billion in retail profit at its peak. This holm Trail Museum and to see updates on The workshops are free and open to year marks the eightieth anniversary of events and programs, please visit www. the public. For more information please the opening of the first TG&Y store and ctokmuseum.org, follow the museum call 580-482-1044 or email muswestpr@ the Chisholm Trail Museum will celebrate on Facebook, or call 405-375-5176. The okhistory.org. The Museum of the Western and honor this very special anniversary Chisholm Trail Museum and A. J. Seay Prairie is located at 1100 Memorial Drive by displaying the history, culture, and Mansion and are located at 605 Zellers in Altus. spirit of TG&Y through a temporary ex- Avenue in Kingfisher. Hours of operation hibit focusing on its former owners, are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. employees, and avid shoppers. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on ma- The museum’s initial exhibit on the jor holidays. Admission to the museum store, entitled TG&Y: An Original Oklaho- is $5 for adults and $3 for children and ma Icon, started fairly small and focused seniors. on Raymond A. Young, who opened his first five-and-dime store in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. However, when news spread about the exhibit, countless former TG&Y employees and enthusiasts came from OHS Research Center across Oklahoma and surrounding states to remember the history of TG&Y and Lunch and Learn what it meant to them. It was through these visitors that the museum acquired The OHS Research Center will present “Mysteries of the Mansion” numerous donations of TG&Y merchan- a Lunch and Learn lecture on Thurs- day, June 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit the Overholser Mansion for “Mys- Mahlon Erickson will speak about mili- teries of the Mansion” on Thursday, June tary records. His program will include 16, at 7 p.m. This extended tour allows an overview of military records from guests to tour the mansion at night, the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, examine archival materials, and hear which records are useful to genealogists some amazing stories. Guests are asked and why, and where to find records on- to RSVP in advance and the cost is $20 line. The Lunch and Learn will be held in per person. Tours during regular hours the classrooms at the Oklahoma History are free to OHS members. To make a Center. Registration is $10 per person reservation for this special tour, please and lunch is included. Attendees must call 405-525-5325 or email overholser preregister to be guaranteed a spot. Call [email protected]. The Henry 405-522-5225 to register and please have Overholser Mansion is located at 405 TG&Y managers’ meeting your credit card ready. The Oklahoma Northwest Fifteenth Street in Oklahoma February 4–5, 1941 History Center is located at 800 Nazih City. It is owned by the OHS and man- Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. aged by Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. 4 St. Luke’s Methodist Steamboat Heroine “Tour de Museums” Sound Collection—A Case exhibit at OHC updated summer program

Study in Palmitic Acid The steamboat Heroine exhibit at the The T. B. Ferguson Home in Watonga By JA Pryse, OHS digital archivist Oklahoma History Center (OHC) has un- is proud to announce its summer pro- dergone recent renovations. After a great gram, “Tour de Museums.” Purchase a On Monday, April 22, 1889, the Un- deal of research into journals, diaries, passport for $6 at any participating mu- assigned Lands in Indian Territory were archaeological evidence, and period paint- seum, then get it stamped after touring opened to settlers. The following Sunday, ings, a second deck has been assembled. each museum. The “Tour de Museums” April 28, 1889, a Methodist minister The Heroine consisted of two decks: the summer program will run from Memorial gathered a group around him in a va- lower deck that contained the mechani- Day through Labor Day. Enjoy visiting cant lot in what would become Oklahoma cal and operational components and the all eight participating museums across City where a shelter was erected named upper deck that maintained women’s and western Oklahoma and collect a stamp “Tabernacle Church.” Within one month men’s living quarters and a dining area. at each museum. When the passport is the congregation totaled 501. St. Luke’s These areas have been reconstructed to full, turn it in at the last museum that United Methodist Church has thrived offer a vivid reproduction of a colorful you tour and your passport will be en- since those early beginnings. chapter of our history. tered into a drawing to be held on Satur- The OHS has partnered with the church Plans are in place to develop an inter- day, September 26, at 1 p.m. The winner to preserve their rich history. The OHS active component that will give visitors will receive a one-night stay at the Noble Research Division digitized thirty-seven the ability to walk in the shoes of a crew House Bed and Breakfast in Watonga for sixteen-inch lacquer discs that date from member or a passenger by clicking on adults and a gift certificate for paddle 1946 to 1961 and three wire recordings that figure on a touchscreen. A hoist that boat rides at Roman Nose State Park for from the same time period. The bulk of was used to load and unload cargo will children. the broadcasts at St. Luke’s were con- be added to the bow of the ship. Fire bas- Participating museums include Chero- ducted by KTOK Radio (1000 AM), which kets will be installed to demonstrate how kee Strip Museum, Alva; Chisholm Trail has served the Oklahoma City area since a ship maneuvered on the river in the Museum, Kingfisher; Freedom Museum, 1927. These recordings are a living his- dark. The OHC is open Monday through Freedom; Gateway to the Panhandle tory of the church’s campaigns, sermons, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum, Gate; Major County Historical conversations, and music. Society, Fairview; Sod House Museum, The lacquer transcription discs devel- Aline; Stafford Air and Space Museum, oped a coating of a white waxy or greasy Altus museum to host Weatherford; and T. B. Ferguson Home, substance over time, which in its early Watonga. stages looks like a fine white dust or pow- art exhibition “Tour de Museums” passports cannot der. This substance consists of palmitic be stamped prior to May 30, 2016, or after On Thursday, June acid and stearic acid. The early powder September 6, 2016. For more information 16, at 7 p.m., the stage of palmitic acid formation is some- please contact Louise Griffin at 580-623- Western Trail Histor- times mistaken for mold, but under the 5069 or historic.tbferguson.home@gmail. ical Society will host microscope one can clearly distinguish com. the opening of The between the two. Palmitic acid causes Stories They Could permanent damage to recorded sound, Tell: The Landscapes which in turn causes the absolute loss of and Vernacular Ar- the historical audio. Chautauqua in the Park chitecture of Southwest Oklahoma at the A remarkable video glimpse at the pres- Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus. at CSRHC ervation and digitization processes of the This interpretive art exhibition explores discs and wire recordings is available The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage the landscapes of southwest Oklahoma on the OHS website. Please visit www. Center (CSRHC) in Enid will host Chau- and the vernacular structures nestled okhistory.org/research/stlukes to watch tauqua in the Park on June 14–18. This into them that have inspired the work of the video. Also available on the webpage year’s theme is “The Cold War: The Ear- Altus artist Brian Nichols. is a link to the OHS Audio Department’s ly Years” with feature presentations by The program is free, open to the public, YouTube Channel. Please email japryse@ Doug Mishler as Nikita Khrushchev, Dr. and will inform visitors about early day okhistory.org with any questions. J. Holmes Armstead Jr. as Dr. Ralph J. life in southwest Oklahoma through his- Bunche, Ilene Evans as Eslanda Robeson, tory, geography, art, and architecture. Dr. Kevin Radaker as Winston Churchill, The program and art exhibition will con- and Randy Noojin as Pete Seeger. Each nect visitors to the places that residents scholar’s feature presentation begins at of southwest Oklahoma call home. An 7:30 p.m. followed by a question and an- informational catalog will help visitors swer session. There will be local enter- focus on the landscapes that trade- tainment and dinner for purchase each mark southwest Oklahoma as well as evening preceding the feature presenta- the unique personalities of the common, tions. Workshops are held daily in the ordinary structures that dot the rural Humphrey Heritage Village Church at countryside as captured in the paintings. 10:30 a.m. and noon. Each of the five The Stories They Could Tell will be on scholars will lead two workshops during exhibit in the First Gallery of the Muse- the week. For a full schedule of presenta- Recording from KTOK Radio with the um of the Western Prairie from June 16 presence of palmitic acid, a substance tions and workshops, please visit www. through August 15. Please call 580-482- that can cause permanent damage to csrhc.org. Please call 580-237-1907 with 1044 or email [email protected] recorded sound. any questions. The CSRHC is located at for more information. The Museum of the 507 South Fourth Street in Enid. Western Prairie is located at 1100 Memo- rial Drive in Altus.

5 Pioneer Family Fun Mickey Mantle Day and Oklahoma Civil War Days at Pioneer Woman new photography exhibit Teachers’ Institute

Museum The Oklahoma History Center opened announced a new exhibit of photography in April. The Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca Mickey Mantle: Baseball Hero in Black The OHS announces its upcoming City will host Pioneer Family Fun Days and White will be on display in the Ches- Oklahoma Civil War Teachers’ Institute, three Saturdays in June. From 10 a.m. apeake Events Center at the History Cen- set for July 6–8, in Tahlequah. The teach- to 1 p.m., on June 11, June 18, and ter through September 15. The exhibit ers’ institute will explore the war’s impact June 25, families can enjoy a variety of includes twenty-five black-and-white im- on Indian Territory and techniques for summer activities. A new theme will be ages, all originally published in the Daily teaching Oklahoma Civil War history in introduced each week with come-and-go Oklahoman newspaper. The staff of the K–12 classrooms. activities designed for ages five and up. Daily Oklahoman consistently covered Oklahoma teachers will explore non- There is no age restriction and all are the career of Mantle, a native Oklaho- traditional classroom experiences relating welcome to participate. The cost is $5 man. The photos span from 1950 to the to the Civil War, as well as field trips and per family of up to six people. Please call 1960s and depict Mantle in his personal interactive activities to share with stu- 580-765-6108 for more information. The and professional life. The Mickey Mantle dents. Conference participants will visit Pioneer Woman Museum is located at photo exhibit utilizes the original report- important landmarks of the war, includ- 701 Monument Road in Ponca City. ers’ captions to highlight on-field and ing Fort Gibson Historic Site, Honey off-field milestones of the Baseball Hall Springs Battlefield, and the George M. of Famer. A few select artifacts also are Murrell Home. Facilitators for the event displayed. Please note this exhibit is on include education staff from the OHS and Summer Solstice display in the Chesapeake Events Center. Northeastern State University. Walks at Spiro Mounds This room also is used for meetings and Each teacher will receive an extensive special events. Visitors are encouraged to resource kit with classroom activities and Archaeological Center call 405-522-0765 in advance to confirm lesson guides. The cost for the teachers’ the room will be open to the public on the institute is $249 per person and includes Families can begin the summer season day of their visit. all materials, plus some transportation with a trip to Spiro Mounds Archaeologi- To promote the new Mickey Mantle: and meals. The institute is open to pub- cal Center for a special guided tour dur- Baseball Hero in Black and White exhib- lic, private, and home school teachers in ing the summer solstice. There will be it, Mickey Mantle Day will be celebrated Oklahoma, grades K–12. A limit of fifteen three walks led by archaeologist Dennis on Thursday, July 7 (7/7), in coopera- Oklahoma teachers will be selected on a Peterson starting at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and tion with Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse. first-come, first-served basis. Visit www. 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, and again Discounts on History Center admission, okteachersinstitute.weebly.com to regis- at the same times on Monday, June 20. OHS memberships, and dinners at Mick- ter. For more information please contact Each walk will take approximately two ey Mantle’s Steakhouse will be offered. Amanda Pritchett at 918-456-2751 or hours and require one mile of easy walk- Online and radio trivia contests will run [email protected]. ing. The fee for this tour is $3 for adults throughout the week of July 4 and among and $2 for children, in addition to the the prizes will be a free stay at the Brick- daily admission fee. town Hilton and tickets to an Oklahoma Peterson will talk about the history of City Dodgers baseball game. For more the mound site and the American Indi- information please call 405-522-0754 ans who built it more than one thousand or email [email protected]. The years ago. He also will discuss the rea- Oklahoma History Center is located at Juneteenth at the sons for the mounds and the alignment 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. of some of the mounds to track the move- Oklahoma History Center ment of the sun throughout the year. Peterson will tell the history of the exca- On Thursday, June 16, the OHS will vations of the site by both archaeologists celebrate Juneteenth at the Oklahoma and looters. The 7 p.m. walks will allow History Center. This free program will for observation of twilight wildlife and take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. OHS Black guests can view the sunset, which is the Heritage Committee President Shirley most important part of the event. Nero will formally thank Reverend M. L. Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is Jemison for the donation of the St. John the only prehistoric American Indian site Missionary Baptist Church’s archival col- open to the public in Oklahoma and is lection. Nero also will speak about the administered by the OHS. Regular hours Black Heritage Committee’s many proj- are Wednesday through Saturday from 9 ects. Musician Walter Taylor will present a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to a program on Oklahoma City’s rich Afri- 5 p.m. The center closes for state holi- can American music and cultural histo- days. Daily admission is $4 for adults, ry. To conclude, OHS Executive Director $3 for seniors, and $1 for children old- Dr. Bob L. Blackburn will have a public er than six. The center is located three conversation with “Miss Blues,” Dorothy miles east of Spiro, Oklahoma, on High- Ellis. They will discuss her lifelong career way 9/271 and four miles north on Lock in music spanning more than sixty years and Dam Road. For more information or Mickey Mantle expressing frustration and other experiences. For more informa- to schedule a group or school tour dur- during a 1962 World Series game tion please call 405-522-5202. The Okla- ing the solstice walks or some other time, (2012.201.B0415B.0074, Oklahoma homa History Center is located at 800 please email [email protected] or call Publishing Company Photography Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. 918-962-2062. Collection, OHS). 6 New Members, cont’d. Save the date for CSRHC to host History Family Storytelling Festival 2016 of Vance Air Force Base Keith and Lanita Lough, Oklahoma City Jacob Martin, Edmond at the Oklahoma History teachers’ workshop George and Judy McDowell, Oklahoma City Rick and Kandi Nagel, Norman Center *Charles and Pamela Oliver, Waxahachie, TX The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Walter and Sara Palmer, Oklahoma City Center (CSRHC) in Enid will host a two- Arts Council Oklahoma City announces Cathy Peck, Oklahoma City day teachers’ workshop on Wednesday, Charlie and Jessica Peters, Midwest City Storytelling Festival 2016 to be held on July 13, and Thursday, July 14. The Blake Podhajsky, Oklahoma City August 25–27 at the Oklahoma History *Jack and Shirley Querry, Oklahoma City workshop will provide educators with Center in Oklahoma City. Featured per- Joe and Ali Rettedal, Edmond information about the seventy-five-year Ronda Shepherd, Okarche formers for the festival are Susan Klein, history of Vance Air Force Base, from Ruth Simmons and Allison Simmons, Oklahoma City Sheila Arnold Jones, and Don White. Su- Michele Skidgel and Laura McConnell, Perry World War II to present day. It includes Steven Smith and Zachary Smith, Tulsa san Klein, the “godmother” of storytelling, living history presentations, primary and Tonda Stafford and Lauren Keck, Edmond will share a portion of her substantial rep- Walter Stumpf and Emily Johnson, Yukon secondary resources, hands-on history ertoire of folklore, myths, and love stories *Leonard and Marilyn Sullivan, Oklahoma City kits, and a tour of Vance Air Force Base. David Weaver, Edmond for adults of all ages. Sheila Arnold Jones, Teachers also will enjoy the CSRHC’s Andrea Williams, Oklahoma City chief executive officer and lead performer Barbara Williams-Johnson, Edmond newest exhibit entitled Keep ’em Flying: for History’s Alive!, will offer a number of Curtis and Betty Working, Checotah 75th Anniversary of Vance Air Force Base, Joshua and Natalie Zantop, Oklahoma City her varied character portrayals such as on display in the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Ol’ Bess, an eighteenth-century tavern Foundation Exhibit Gallery through Vet- Individual slave. Don White’s performance does not Kayleigh Barton, Sulphur erans Day weekend. allow itself to be labeled. He is a story James Beauchamp, Oklahoma City Applications for the workshop are avail- Ida Blackburn, Oklahoma City teller-comedian-troubadour-folk singer- able at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heri- Virginia Bourisseau, Prague writer and challenges categorization. Jana Brown, Cleo Springs tage Center or may be downloaded by Jason Cullive, Elk City The schedule of performances and visiting www.csrhc.org. The registration Ryan Davenport, Paden workshops will be announced soon. Addi- Lise Deshea, Oklahoma City fee is $40 per teacher and the applica- tional details and ticket sales information Samuel Gavia, Wayne tion deadline is Friday, June 24. There Joseph Hughes, Cibolo, TX will be provided on the Oklahoma His- are only a few spots left, so please return Cathy Kunkel, Guthrie torical Society’s website, www.okhistory. Daniel Maher, Fort Smith, AR the completed application as soon as org, and Arts Council Oklahoma City’s Jo Moore, Purcell possible. David Nutter, Tulsa website, www.artscouncilokc.com, at a The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Cindy S. Schuering, Checotah later date. Please contact Steve Hawkins John H. Stallings, Fairborn, OH Center is open Tuesday through Satur- Emily Storm, Shawnee at [email protected] or 405-522- day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more informa- Shelly Stuck, Oklahoma City 0754 with any questions. Sydney Talley, Washington tion about CSRHC exhibits or programs, Kimberly Vessel, Kansas please call 580-237-1907 or visit www. Danny Williams, Elmore City Barbara Yuill, Edmond csrhc.org. The CSRHC is located at 507 South Fourth Street in Enid.

Twenty-year members renew in April

Listed below, with the date they joined the OHS, are people and organizations Oklahoma’s Twenty- that, when they renewed their memberships in April, have been members twenty or Eighth Annual Statewide more years. Their long-term loyalty is most sincerely appreciated! Preservation Conference Duke and Linda Ligon, Oklahoma City, May 1, 1955 Richard E. Wood, Bethany, March 1, 1977 Preservation is Golden: Oklahoma’s Jack and Shirley Querry, Oklahoma City, April 1, 1979 Lynda E. Brown-Drabek, Oklahoma City, February 1, 1981 Twenty-Eighth Annual Statewide Preser- Richard Mullins, Edmond, January 1, 1982 vation Conference will be held on Wed- Jim and Burnis Argo, Edmond, May 1, 1983 nesday, June 1, through Friday, June 3. Dola J. Yeager, Edmond, April 1, 1984 Frank and Loreece Dennis, Oklahoma City, February 1, 1985 Conference registration and all sessions Kalvin F. Zitterkob, Moore, April 7, 1986 will be held at the Enid Symphony Cen- Bob Thompson, Ada, March 13, 1987 ter, located at 301 West Broadway in Rondi Ott, Enid, March 20, 1987 Tom Walker, Tulsa, March 27, 1987 Enid. Neal Leader, Norman, May 7, 1987 In 2016 the United States is celebrat- Donald W. Reynolds Community Center and Library, Durant, February 10, 1988 Daryl Townley, Duncan, March 28, 1989 ing the fiftieth anniversary of the Na- Barbara Klein and James Weaver, Oklahoma City, March 29, 1989 tional Historic Preservation Act through Daniel and Mary Ann Littlefield, North Little Rock, AR, January 1, 1992 Preservation50. The statewide preserva- Don and Dot Adkins, Norman, March 11, 1992 Frances Elliott, Wichita, KS, April 2, 1992 tion conference is just one of the ways James L. Showalter, Stillwater, April 2, 1992 Oklahoma’s preservation partners will Logan and Donna Sharpe, Checotah, April 21, 1992 participate in the celebration. Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Weigand, Edmond, April 21, 1992 Sloan Coats, San Francisco, CA, April 24, 1992 The registration fee is $50 at the door. Leroy and Marlene Boyer, Oklahoma City, April 27, 1992 Several optional events and tours are Wagoner County Historical Society, Wagoner, April 23, 1993 Robert B. Ringo, Lincoln, CA, April 28, 1993 on the agenda and require purchase of Laurie Williams, Ardmore, May 3, 1993 tickets. For a program, hotel informa- Glenda Temple, Chandler, September 2, 1994 tion, and registration brochure, please Don and Gwen Walker, Atoka, March 7, 1995 Garfield Furniture, Enid, March 23, 1995 contact Melvena Heisch at 405-522-4484 Louise Reeves, Tulsa, January 9, 1996 or [email protected]. To register Lavonne Sanders Walker, Shawnee, April 1, 1996 online, please visit www.mainstreetenid. Edna Spears, Pawnee, April 17, 1996 org/preservation.

7 Oklahoma Historical Society 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917 PERIODICALS

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Vol. 47, No. 6 June 2016 Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show The historic Pawnee Bill Ranch will host Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show on Friday, June 10, and Sat- urday, June 11, at 7:30 p.m. Stage- coaches will roll amid thundering horse hooves while the lightning of gunfire explodes around Pawnee Bill and his cohorts as the talented per- formers thrill and amaze audiences at the 2016 Wild West Show. The show will feature acts from the original Paw- nee Bill’s Wild West Shows. Producers and directors have combined stage and script with historical preservation to ensure that the Wild West Show is the most historically accurate production to date. Kevin Webb portrays Pawnee Bill for the eighth time. Webb, a long-time Wild West Show cast member and Pawnee Bill Ranch employee, is also a whip artist and chariot racer. The museum and mansion will be open to the public on show days from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday, June 11, there will be historically accurate entertainment June events at a glance such as blacksmithing, gunfighters and sharp shooters, a medicine man show, 1–30 “Tour de Museums” summer program, hosted by T. B. Ferguson Home, Watonga and musicians, all free and held continuously on the ranch grounds from 2 to 7 p.m. The cast will be available for a meet and greet with the audience on the 1–4 Cold War workshops, Museum of the Western Prairie, Altus museum grounds starting at 4 p.m. The Friends of the Pawnee Bill Ranch Asso- 1–3 Oklahoma’s Twenty-Eighth Annual Statewide Preservation Conference, Enid Symphony Center, Enid ciation will serve a barbecue meal in the big barn starting at 5 p.m. Ticket prices in advance are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors over age sixty-five, 4 Cavalry Day, Fort Supply Historic Site, Fort Supply and $10 for children ages ten and under (ages three and under are free). A group 10–11 Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show, Pawnee Bill Ranch, Pawnee rate of $12 per ticket is available for groups of ten or more people. On the day of the show ticket prices are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $12 for children 11 Quilting workshop with Martha Ray, Sod House Museum, Aline ages ten and under (ages three and under are free). Special price package bun- 11, 18, Pioneer Family Fun Days, Pioneer Woman Museum, Ponca City dles are available for reserved seating and that information can be found at www. 25 pawneebillwildwest.com. Please call 918-762-2513 to purchase tickets or for 14–18 Chautauqua in the Park—“The Cold War: The Early Years,” Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, more information. Online Enid tickets are not available 16 The Stories They Could Tell exhibit opening and program, Museum of the Western Prairie, Altus for this show. The online tickets are for a show in 16 Juneteenth celebration, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City Fort Worth, Texas. Pawnee 16 “Mysteries of the Mansion” tour, Overholser Mansion, Oklahoma City Bill Ranch is not affiliated in any way with the show 18 Third Saturday Living History program, George M. Murrell Home, Park Hill in Fort Worth. Pawnee Bill 18 Tatting lace making workshop, Chisholm Trail Museum, Kingfisher Ranch is located on Blue Hawk Peak on land Paw- 19–20 Summer Solstice Walks, Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, Spiro nee Bill purchased from 23 Research Center Lunch and Learn—“Military Records,” Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City Blue Hawk, his Pawnee friend. It is one-half mile 25 TG&Y eightieth anniversary celebration, exhibit opening, and reunion, Chisholm Trail Museum, Kingfisher west of Pawnee on US Please visit www.okhistory.org/calendar for a complete list of OHS events, programs, and exhibits. Highway 64.