The Oklahoma Historical Society aims to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of Oklahoma through the maintenance and management of museums, historic sites, and research centers located across the state of Oklahoma>. Most known for the Oklahoma History Center and Research Center, the Oklahoma Historical Society has many collections and programs aimed at education and cultural and historical preservation.

History

The Oklahoma Historical Society was founded in 1893, just 4 years after the founding of the town of Kingfisher, by nineteen editors of the Oklahoma Territory Press Association who wanted to collect and preserve newspapers as they were published in Oklahoma Territory as part of a Historical Society. The Association partnered with The University of Oklahoma in 1895 to pass legislature allowing the historical society to be the trustee for territorial records and receive government funding for its operation costs. The headquarters and archives were moved to the university on campus in Norman.

By 1907 the society had amassed a collection of over 3,000 newspapers, more than 1000 books and nearly 2,000 documents, along with other speeches, manuscripts and legislative records, and had been moved to Carnegie Library. Appropriates for the society continued to increase each year as well into the 1900’s and by 1926 the collection had quadrupled in size.

In 1929, a bill was authorized for the building of the Temple of History which would also serve as a war memorial with offices and galleries that could be used by veterans and patriotic groups. This would be the permanent home of the Historical Society collection as well.

In 1934 The Society acquired the title to Fort Gibson Barracks overlooking the Verdigris and began the work to stabilize those structures. They also purchased Sequoyah’s cabin, and built stone walls around several historic sites in Oklahoma in the 1930’s although never purchased the sites. In 1952 The Historical Society purchased Cabin Creek Battlefield and Worcester Cemetery. In 1959 the society was able to title the property of a Choctaw Chief home, followed by Fort Washita which is also an important archaeological site in 1962, Plots at Honey Springs in 1967, Fort Towson in 1968 and many other Civil War sites throughout Oklahoma.

Throughout the 1970’s The Oklahoma Historical Society set out to purchase historic homes and museums. The board members were successful in acquiring 10 different properties within two years from 1973-1975.

Museums and Historic Sites

The Oklahoma Historical Society maintains many museums, historical sites, and military sites, in the state of Oklahoma. Each site has a link from the Historical Society webpage that can be visited for more detailed information such as hours and admission.

1. Historic Homes

1. A.J. Seay Mansion

2. Frank Phillips Home

3. Will Rogers Birth Place Ranch

4. T.B. Ferguson Home

5. Sod House Museum

6. Henry Overholser Mansion

7. Fred Drummond Mansion

8. George M. Murrell Home

9. Pawnee Bill Ranch

10. Jim Thorpe Home

2. Military Sites

a. Honey Springs Battle Field Historic Site

b. Cabin Creek Battle Field Historic Site

c. Fort Gibson historic Site

d. Fort Washita Historic Site

e. Fort Supply Historic Site

f. Fort Towson Historic Site

3. Museum

a. Will Rogers Memorial Museum

b. Atoka Museum and Confederate Cemetery

c. Cherokee Strip Museum

d. White Hair Memorial

e. Tom Mix Museum

f. Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center

g. Sprio Mounds Archaeological Center

h. Pioneer Woman Museum

i. Chisholm Trail Museum

j. No Man’s Land Museum

k. Museum of the Western Pride

l. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

m. Oklahoma History Center

n. Oklahoma Territorial Museum

Educational Opportunities

Each historic site offers its own unique educational experience. The Historical Society offers educational opportunities specifically through The Research Center which is open Tuesday through Saturday and open to the public free of charge. Materials in the research library are non-circulating. Tours and field trips of The Research Center which is found on the first floor of the Oklahoma History Center can be arranged online or on the phone.

The Oklahoma History Center offers many educational programs, classes, workshops, lectures, and scouting programs for the community and school groups. The history center has been fundamental is collecting and preserving Oklahoma history and culture in partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society. Collections featured at the History Center include American Indian, Military, Photographs, Textiles, and Historical. The collection can also be viewed online through the Historical Society website. The Devin Great Hall inside of the History Center can be rented for private events such as weddings, parties, corporate functions and more. There is also a café, and museum store located at the Oklahoma History Center.

Oklahoma History Center 800 Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, Phone: 405-521-2491

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