Mistletoe Leaves
The Oklahoma History Center turns 20!
The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) proudly opened its doors to the public on November 16, 2005, a remarkable achievement made possible by the generous support of over 4,000 foundations, businesses, and families passionate about preserving Oklahoma’s rich history.
The stunning three-story facility, thoughtfully designed with spanning wings, classrooms, conference and meeting spaces, and museum galleries that adhere to Smithsonian standards has been open to the public for two decades. One standout feature of the museum is the Devon Great Hall, which welcomes visitors with its im pressive suspended installation of a replica of Wiley Post’s siding over hundreds of weddings, con certs, and banquets. The space is further enhanced by three-story windows that of fer a breathtaking view of the Oklahoma Capitol.
As we celebrate this year, marking the 20th anniversary of the OHC, we reflect
Celebrate 20 Years of the Oklahoma History Center
On Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the OHC will open its doors to celebrate its 20th anniversary. This milestone event is free and open to all. Whether you are a longtime supporter or a first-time visitor, November 15 is the perfect day to discover what makes the OHC a place worth celebrating!
Since 2005, the OHC has connected visitors to the stories of our state. Now, it’s marking its 20th anniversary with a free public celebration.
This one-day event offers something for every history enthusiast or anyone curious about the people and stories that shaped Oklahoma. Guests can explore hands-on artifact carts, join guided tours led by staff and volunteers, and enjoy live historical interpreters throughout the museum galleries. Special programming will take place throughout the day. The event will also feature the opening of a new exhibit in the Sam Noble Gallery that speaks to the heart of the mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS).
Collect. Preserve. Share.
20 Years at the
with pride on the center’s Smithsonianquality exhibits that bring to life the voices and visions of Oklahoma. With over 50 captivating topics and more than 2,000 artifacts, our exhibits celebrate Oklahoma’s inspiring and adventurous narrative.
Our John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center continues to be an invaluable resource for individuals eager to explore the state’s history, while we remain committed to our mission of collecting, preserving, and sharing the stories of our state and its people through dynamic interpretive programming for all ages.
As we look to a bright future, we are ex
Oklahoma History Center exhibit opening
This retrospective exhibit highlights how the opening of the OHC in 2005 transformed the OHS’s ability to collect, preserve, and share the state’s history. Featuring current and former staff favorites, the exhibit will showcase meaningful acquisitions from the past 20 years and the institution’s expanded capacity, mission, and impact.
Since opening on Statehood Day in 2005, the center has welcomed visitors from across the state and beyond to explore 215,000 square feet of exhibits, archives, and public spac es. The facility also houses the John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center, which pro vides free access to thousands of books, photographs, manuscripts, oral histories, and film and video.
As an affiliate of the Smithsonian and National Archives and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the OHC invites the public to experience history in meaningful, en gaging, and accessible ways.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917.
By authorization of the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) Board of Directors, 3,500 copies are prepared at a cost of $1,295 bimonthly. The publication is financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.
Contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Oklahoma Historical Society or the United States Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by either organization.
Mistletoe Leaves is published for the members and friends of the OHS in partial fulfillment of its mission to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people.
Students and teachers are invited to share studies and programs and to duplicate content as desired. Editors are welcome to reprint materials with credit.
All Oklahoma Historical Society facilities are for the education and enjoyment of all. State and federal regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination in state and federally-assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, and/or handicap.
Anyone denied benefits should contact the grievance manager of the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917, telephone 405-837-7631 and/or the director, Office of Equal Opportunity, United States Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.
By Trait Thompson
In 1985, Governor George Nigh signed an agreement establishing a sister-state relationship between the state of Oklahoma and Gansu Province in China. At the time, Governor Nigh stated, “We agreed such a program between Oklahoma and Gansu would be appropriate since the two are similar.” He went on to mention, “We envision both Oklahoma and Gansu will realize extensive economic benefits from this exchange program, one of 15 that China has developed with other states.” This year marks the 40th anniversary of that prolific agreement that has seen hundreds of students from Gansu come to Oklahoma, knowledge exchanges in technology, agriculture, and medicine, as well as numerous cultural trips between the two.
Oklahoma’s musical ambassador, Kyle Dillingham, has been a key player in fostering the cultural exchanges between Oklahoma and Gansu since being invited to perform in Lanzhou to commemorate the 30th anniversary in 2015. Earlier this year, a delegation from Gansu visited Oklahoma, and Kyle asked me to give them a tour of the State Capitol. A few weeks later, I received an invitation to visit China in September for commemorative activities in the cities of Dunhuang and Lanzhou. I happily accepted.
From September 18 to 25, I visited Gansu with a delegation from Oklahoma, which included Kyle Dillingham and his band, Horseshoe Road, and Dr. Danielle Herrington and eight of her marvelously talented students from the music school at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO).
Our visit began in the ancient city of Dunhuang, a stop on the renowned Silk
Road trade route for centuries. There, we attended the opening ceremonies of the 8th Silk Road International Cultural Expo. While in Dunhuang, we visited the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and toured a molten salt electricity-generating plant. We even rode camels in the Gobi Desert, just like George and Donna Nigh did on their visit in 1985.
Our next stop was the capital city of Lanzhou. There, I represented the State of Oklahoma at a formal ceremony marking the 40th anniversary, alongside officials from the Gansu provincial government and a representative from the US Embassy in Beijing. After the ceremony, I was taken on a tour of their new photo exhibit at the Gansu Provincial Museum, highlighting the sister state relationship. I had submitted 30 of my own photographs from my travels across Oklahoma, which were included in a section of the exhibit on Oklahoma landscapes.
That evening at the Lanzhou Concert Hall on the banks of the Yellow River, a musical performance was held entitled “Hand in Hand Toward the Future.” The sold-out event featured music from the National Orchestra of Gansu, Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road, and a closing rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” by the UCO students, accompanied by the orchestra. We were also able to visit two universities in Lanzhou to facilitate a person-to-person exchange with our UCO students and their music peers.
On our last morning of the trip, we visited the friendship tree that George Nigh planted in Five Fountain Park in 1985. This served as a moment for me to reflect and honor Nigh’s memory.
My week in the Gansu Province was filled with great meetings, making new friends, and incredible music. I am pleased that I was able to play a small role in ensuring that this foundational sister-state relationship, which began 40 years ago, remains strong for many years to come.
OHS FY2025 Annual Report
Our latest annual report highlights OHS events, resources, and activities from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Discover newly acquired artifacts and archival materials, collection highlights, statistics, and more at okhistory.org/2025report.
Documenting the trip to Gansu
Ripple Effects: OKPOP and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Celebrate Steve Ripley’s Legacy
On Friday, August 1, over 300 artists, family members, friends, and fans gathered at the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP) to honor the late Steve Ripley—a musician, inventor, engineer, and proud Oklahoman—during his posthumous induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. The event brought Oklahoma’s rich music history to life through heartfelt stories, performances, and tributes, celebrating Ripley’s remarkable talent and the spirit of OKPOP’s mission: to honor Oklahoma creativity and preserve it for future generations.
“Steve Ripley was a legend in Oklahoma music,” said Trait Thompson, executive director of the OHS. “To see him honored the way he should be, surrounded by friends and family, it was a really heartwarming night.”
Attendees were treated to surprising anecdotes, including a story about Bob Dylan inviting Ripley to perform onstage in 1981, alongside tales of DAT tapes, demo myths, and spontaneous Beatles-style string arrangements.
The evening served as a love letter to Ripley and a living archive of his legacy. Among those present were Grammy-nominated songwriter Tim DuBois, who inducted Ripley into the Hall of Fame, and musician Isaac Hanson, who shared stories about late-night recording sessions with Ripley at the Church Studio.
As a fitting tribute to his memory and artistry, Grammy-nominated Oklahoma singer-songwriter John Fullbright performed the song “Gypsy Blood,” a piece that Ripley had worked on for decades but never completed. The event concluded with remarks from Ripley’s family, including wife Charlene, daughter Angelene, son Elvis, and grandson Mickey Wright, delivered a touching tribute that moved attendees to tears.
It also highlighted OKPOP’s ongoing campaign to raise the final amount needed to unlock matching state funds and finish construction. “Steve Ripley believed Oklahoma culture needed a home,” Jake Krumwiede, OKPOP director, said. “We’re building that home. And we’re doing it with the kind of heart and collaboration that Steve himself modeled so well.”
As one of the early champions of OKPOP, Ripley played a crucial role in shaping the museum’s vision and archives before it even had a name. His commitment to enhancing Oklahoma’s creative legacy is now memorialized in the Steve Ripley Collection at OKPOP. It features personal artifacts and musical milestones, including Ripley’s custom signature guitar, well-worn stage jackets, and a rare guitar built by Ripley that was formerly owned by J. J. Cale.
Thompson being interviewed with Chinese media in Dunhuang.
Riding a camel in the Gobi Desert.
Standing with Wang Bing, Vice Governor of the Gansu Province, at the opening of a photo exhibit at the Gansu Provincial Museum in Lanzhou, showcasing the sister-state relationship.
In the Gobi Desert. The Mingsha Mountains are in the distance.
The entrance to Mogao Caves, near Dunhuang.
With UCO music students and Gansu Foreign Affairs Office hosts in Dunhuang.
OKPOP Director Jake Krumwiede
OHS Calendar of Events
The Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club (Cherokee) wreath laying and “Hats off to Will” luncheon, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
“Navigation, Fire Starting, and Survival on the Plains” living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
“Advanced Weaponry and the Santa Fe Trail in the 1830s” living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
Celebrate 20 Years of the Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Collect. Preserve. Share. 20 Years at the Oklahoma History Center exhibit opens, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
Kilgen Theatre Organ Performance featuring Clark Wilson and the silent film Phantom of the Opera (1925), Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Countdown to Christmas: Christmas Decorations, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting, Oklahoma History
Battle of Honey Springs Education Day, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
Museum After Dark: Village Sounds presented by The Rhapsody Project, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
Blacksmithing Demonstrations, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry
Wagons and Buggies Show: A Rural Heritage Festival, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry
Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
14 - “Tiny Boxes and Vast Legacies: Mapping the African American Homesteading Story in Oklahoma Territory” presented by Dr. Kalenda Eaton, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
15 - Statehood Day Panel, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie
Drummond Christmas Open House, Fred and Addie Drummond Home, Hominy
Christmas Open House, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Willy Wonka and (1971) Will Rogers
“Diplomacy and Commerce of the Prairies” living history program, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
Countdown to Christmas: Taste of Christmas Past – November 25, 26, and
Countdown to Christmas: Christmas Gifts – December 2-6 and 9-10, Hunter’s
11th Annual Holiday Market at the Museum, Museum of the Western Prairie,
Museum After Dark: Christmas in the Village, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
Guthrie Distinctive Homes Tour and Wassail, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
Photos with Santa, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
Christmas Tea, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry
Homeschool Day, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Museum Store Annual Holiday Sale, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
The Night Before Christmas–LIVE!, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
Movie Night featuring Elf (2003), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
Fort Gibson’s Annual Candlelight Tour, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
Photos with Santa, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
Pawnee Bill Ranch Association Annual Members’ Meeting and Meal, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee
Christmas at the Fort, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson
Holiday Open House, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee
Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
Abandoned Oklahoma: Red Carpet Country Through the Lens exhibit closes, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
Gingerbread Decoration Day, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson
History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
Winter Solstice Tours with Anna Vincent, Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, Spiro
The Night Before Christmas—LIVE!
In 1823, an account of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” was published in the Troy Sentinel in New York. Today, we know this poem as Clement Moore’s The Night Before Christmas. While we all know the poem, you have never experienced it like this. This year, Hunter’s Home will bring this beloved poem to life!
On Friday, December 12, Hunter’s Home staff, theater professionals, and volunteers recreate the poem live. Guests will be at the center of the action as the play is acted out, and they will follow a guide through Hunter’s Home. To register, please call 918-4562751. Hunter’s Home is at 19479 E. Murrell Home Road in Park Hill.
NOVEMBER 15
Milestones in History: 2026 Oklahoma History Symposium presentation proposals deadline
11th Annual Holiday Market at the Museum
The Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus will host its 11th annual Holiday Market at the Museum on Tuesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. The event will showcase the talents of local artists who will be selling their unique work, including paintings, jewelry, pottery, fused glass, works in wood, and more. The market is free and open to the public and is a great way to support both the artists and the museum while doing holiday shopping. Visitors can also tour the museum while browsing the artists’ displays. Refreshments will be served. Members will be admitted starting at 5 p.m. The Western Trail Historical Society organizes this event. For more information, call 580-482-1044.
The Museum of the Western Prairie tells the story of southwest Oklahoma from the distant past to the present. The story begins with the Wichita Mountains—the low, granite peaks that formed almost 300 million years ago. At first the Wichitas towered above the landscape; later, they were islands in an ancient sea. Today the modest hills that remain serve as a connection between every era in southwest Oklahoma history.
Gingerbread Decoration Day
Stay up to date with all your favorite episodes of A Very OK Podcast this holiday season! Explore a variety of topics, including the lives of fascinating Oklahomans like Robert Latham Owens, Dick T. Morgan, rock star Jesse Ed Davis, and the Choctaw Code Talkers. A Very OK Podcast has something for every listener. Learn more about the Seminoles in Oklahoma, the 1834 DodgeLeavenworth Expedition, the history of television in Oklahoma, and the history of the parks system of Oklahoma City. OHS Executive Director Trait Thompson and former Executive Director Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss a range of interesting subjects. Tune in to A Very OK Podcast to hear from guest historians, authors, leaders, and experts who provide a fresh take on the history of Oklahoma with each episode.
Museum Store Holiday Sale
The Oklahoma History Center’s annual holiday sale in the Museum Store will take place on Wednesday, December 10, Thursday, December 11, and Friday, December 12.
Oklahoma Historical Society members will receive a 25% discount on merchandise, and the general public will receive a 10% discount. Several items will be marked down for this sale. Visiting the Museum Store is free of charge, and it is filled with unique gift items related to Oklahoma’s history and culture, including kitchenware, shirts, books, toys, decorative items, and more.
This is a great place to shop if you are looking for a gift that stands out. The store offers a curated selection of books, puzzles, toys, local treats, and unique items that celebrate Oklahoma’s rich and diverse history.
Whether you are shopping for a lifelong Oklahoman or a curious newcomer, you’ll find meaningful gifts that educate and inspire, and every purchase supports the museum’s mission.
All proceeds from the Museum Store help to fund and support the mission and programs of the Oklahoma History Center Museum.
On Saturday, December 20, Fort Gibson staff will begin pulling gingerbread cookies from its 1860s bake oven for visitors to decorate in the traditional 19th-century style.
The 1860s historic bakehouse will be brought back to life with batches coming out of the oven every hour or so from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition to the fun on Garrison Hill, admissions will be waived for the day, so bring your family and friends to explore Oklahoma’s history while enjoying a fun winter tradition!
Cookies are made using recipes from the 19th century and feature candy decorations reminiscent of that time. Children can either decorate their cookies at the Fort Gibson Commissary decoration station or purchase a complete decoration kit to take home. These kits include items such as cherry licorice laces, spice drops, candy wafers, and, of course, giant gingerbread people! Cookies go on sale at the Commissary for $7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or while supplies last. All supplies in the decoration station are included with purchase.
Any remaining take-home kits will be sold in the 1870s Hospital Visitor Center located at 803 N. Garrison Ave, in Fort Gibson. For more information, please call 918-478-4088.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff by calling 405522-0765 or emailing museumstore@history.ok.gov.
The Chronicles of Oklahoma clearance sale
Now’s your chance to complete your collection! The Oklahoma History Center Museum Store at the Oklahoma History Center is offering pre-2025 editions of The Chronicles of Oklahoma for just $2 each or four for $7. They are available for a limited time while supplies last. Stop by the store or call 405-522-5214 to reserve or order your copies today!
Official Oklahoma Historical Society signage is being installed at all OHS museums and historic sites across the state. Over 14 have been placed so far, with more to come!
Remembering Debbie Blackburn
Former lawmaker and longtime friend of the Oklahoma Historical Society, Debbie Blackburn, passed away on August 10. Together with her husband, former Executive Director Bob Blackburn, Debbie made an indelible mark on the preservation of Oklahoma’s history.
Among her many professional achievements as a legislator, Debbie wrote and passed legislation that created a 20% state tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic buildings. This bill would be crucial to saving the Skirvin and Mayo hotels and the First National Building, among others. She co-founded the Paseo Development Corporation (“Positively Paseo”), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing urban neighborhoods through the rehabilitation of historic homes. She was also an avid supporter of education initiatives—she wrote the bill that created the College Savings Plan, and she served as the House Education Appropriations Committee chair.
In wake of her passing, Debbie’s family requested that gifts be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Bob Blackburn Collections Endowment Fund. Established in 2021, this fund preserves Oklahoma’s history through the acquisition and conservation of archival and museum artifact collections. Over $28,000 was provided to the endowment in Debbie Blackburn’s name. These endowment gifts will not just make an immediate impact; they will continue to grow in perpetuity. This creates a lasting legacy that will ensure her passion for historic preservation will continue for generations to come. The Oklahoma Historical Society is deeply thankful for all donors who contributed to this fund in her name. It is an honor for our organization to steward gifts made in Debbie’s memory.
New Oklahoma National Register Listings
The Oklahoma Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) are pleased to announce the National Register of Historic Places designation for the following proper-
HUDSON SERVICE STATION
Ottawa County
Located along Route 66 near the commercial center of Miami, Oklahoma, the Hudson Service Station is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its association with transportation and as an excellent example of the House with Bays gas station architectural style associated with the “Mother Road.” Built in 1935, the Hudson Service Station provided services for motorists during the height of Route 66’s popularity in Oklahoma, as defined in the Multiple Property Nomination for Route 66 and Associated Historic Structures, 1926-1970
BAPTIST BUILDING
Oklahoma County
Located in downtown Oklahoma City, the Baptist Building is a four-story Art Deco building constructed between 1948-49 that was designed specifically to be the Baptist headquarters in the South. The Baptist Building is a testament as a unique illustration of a postwar building in Oklahoma City and showcases a transitional influence between Art Deco to Midcentury Modern Movement. Designed by architects Bertie Noftsger and William Lawrence, the Baptist Building served as the Baptist headquarters from 1949 until 1990 when the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma moved to a new location.
Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is an honorific designation that provides recognition, limited protection, and, in some cases, financial incentives for these important properties. The SHPO identifies, evaluates, and nominates properties for the special designation.
Stories from the Road: New Historical Markers Installed
by Matthew Pearce, state historian
This has been a busy year for the OHS Historical Marker Program. In June, two historical markers were dedicated in Oklahoma City. The WesTen District sponsored a marker to commemorate Council Grove, and KFOR unveiled a marker recognizing the first television broadcast in Oklahoma on WKY-TV in 1949. Both sponsors applied for their marker through the Historical Marker Program. Sponsors worked with the OHS for research and developing the marker script.
The OHS is also actively replacing damaged and missing historical markers. Much of this work is financed by the Legacy Capital Financing Fund and has proceeded with assistance from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and undergraduate history students from the University of Oklahoma. In September, ODOT installed a marker to commemorate Edwards’s Post near Holdenville. It replaced a marker for Fort Holmes that was damaged but can still be viewed at the Hughes County Museum in Holdenville. By the time you read this article, ODOT will have installed a replacement marker for Fort Supply in Woodward County. Additional markers scheduled for installation in the coming months include Goodwater Choctaw Mission/Koonsha Female Seminary, Alexander Lawrence Posey, and the California Road.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
Debbie Blackburn
Kinley Firefighting Collection recently donated
The Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center recently acquired a significant collection of archival material related to Myron Kinley, a pioneer of modern oilwell firefighting. The Kinley Family Collection, which was donated by Myron’s grandson, Karl Kinley, includes eight cubic feet of photographs, records, stories, and video tapes concerning Myron and his company, the M. M. Kinley Company.
During his life, Myron championed several firefighting techniques and patented new equipment, much of which is still utilized today. His success in the United States led to his business expanding internationally, and he soon fought oil fires around the world, earning himself a renowned reputation in one of the most dangerous careers imaginable. Among his achievements was extinguishing the “Torch of Moreni” oil fire in Romania, which had burned for over two years. He also earned commendation from the Japanese government for his work fighting fires in Japan and received an Order of the Rising Sun, 5th Class medal award (seen at right) for his efforts.
Included in the new collection is the Order of the Rising Sun award, an original pickaxe and hammer inscribed with the M.
M. Kinley Company name, and hundreds of other treasures. A selection of video from the Kinley Family Collection has been digitized and is available for viewing on the OHS Film and Video Archives YouTube channel. Scan the QR code above to view film from the collection.
For more information on Myron Kinley and M. M. Kinley Company, please see the Bobby Weaver article about Myron Macy Kinley (1898–1978) in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture or contact the Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center to learn more and view items from collection.
Thank you to Karl Kinley and the family of Myron Kinley for collecting, preserving, and sharing this significant piece of history.
The Rhapsody Project explores musical history of Northwest Oklahoma
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is set to open its exhibit, The Rhapsody Project on Tuesday, November 4. This exhibit explores the rich musical history of northwest Oklahoma.
In collaboration with Tammy Wilson from the Enid Event Company, the exhibit will highlight the contriubutions of individuals and groups from the Cherokee Outlet who have made significant impacts on the music industry. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the early days of local radio stations and music shops, as well as discover both well-known and emerging performers. Admission to this exhibit is included in the regular cost of admission to the museum.
Explore Native American history at OHS
November is Native American Heritage Month. The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has multiple resources for discovering Oklahoma’s Native history, culture, stories, and people. Start exploring the Native American history page on the OHS website by visiting okhistory.org/nativehistory
Will Rogers and His Great Inspiration premieres in Claremore
On Saturday, November 1, when the Claremore community celebrates the 146th birthday of Will Rogers, Bart Taylor’s newest children’s book—Will Rogers and His Great Inspiration—will be premiered at the festivities.
The third of Taylor’s books, featuring custom illustrations by Greg White, explores the real-life people who inspired Will Rogers to become a legend. The title caught the attention of country music star Reba McEntire and actor Rex Linn, who wrote the foreword to the book. McEntire, a fellow Oklahoman, has personal ties to the Rogers family through Will’s great nephew Clem McSpadden, who gave the country music star her first big break.
Immediately following the Will Rogers Days parade at 3 p.m., Bart Taylor will read from his new book and show the illustrations on the large screen in the Will Rogers Theatre at 4:30 p.m.
Will Rogers and His Great Inspiration goes on sale on November 4 on Amazon and willrogers.com. Early copies of the book will be on sale on during the birthday party festivities. Proceeds from the book will benefit the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
The party will feature roping demonstrations, cake, inflatables, and family-friendly activities. No admission is required! Call 918-341-0719 for more information.
The Order of the Rising Sun, 5th Class medal awarded to Myron Kinley by the Japanese government.
QR code leading to the Kinley Family Collection of film archives. Photos of Myron Kinley, hailed as the grandfather of modern oil-well fire fighting.
Oklahoma Historical Society
800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917
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PERIODICALS
Mistletoe Leaves
This is the year when Honey Springs Battlefield offers its biennial multiday event, which begins with an Education Day for school groups on Friday, November 7. Activities continue on Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, with self-guided tours through the Union, Confederate, and civilian camps, and a reenactment at 1 p.m. Visitors can experience military drills, demonstrations, and living history programs, and take a walk through Sutler’s Row, which features a number of vendors selling clothes, books, souvenirs, and reproduction nineteenth-century military equipment. Visitors from around the state come to see special presentations and watch the battle unfold. Visit okhistory.org/hsb to find out more about the reenactment.
“This
Land is Your Land” CELEBRATES 85 YEARS
This year marks the 85th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s song, “This Land Is Your Land,” later recognized by the Recording Industry Association of America as the third most important song of the twentieth century. He wrote the song in February 1940 while living in a small, run-down hotel in New York City after hitchhiking across the country. The song became widely known in 1945 after being recorded the year before.
In 2010, John Erling recorded an interview for Voices of Oklahoma with Guthrie’s daughter, Nora. In a portion of that interview she discusses the background that led up to the writing of “This Land Is Your Land”—it has been re-released to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the ballad. The re-release of the interview can be found by visiting okhistory.org/thisland85, or on the Voices of Oklahoma podcast.
In the interview, she explains, “So let me paint the picture of what’s happening at the moment. He’s hitchhiking from Los Angeles to New York. Hundreds of thousands of people in America are displaced because of the Dust Bowl; we’ve gone through the Depression. As he’s hitchhiking across America, at every truck stop and every diner, Kate Smith’s hit song ‘God Bless America’ is blasting out of the radios.”
Guthrie traversed the country for much of his life and wrote inspired Depressionera ballads for the downtrodden. The opening line, “As I went walking that ribbon of highway,” places him on foot, traveling with groups of Americans migrating west, most without a decent means of transportation.
The song speaks masterfully to the beauty of the country that many couldn’t fully experience because of their hardships. It paints a picture of the natural inheritance of all people from “the redwood forest” to “the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts.” The comforting melody captures listeners while the lyrics delve into the deeper promise of America, insisting on the importance of including of every citizen, even as some he observed were being turned away by no trespassing signs. By the eighth verse of the song, Guthrie winds his tale into a timely question, “By the relief office I seen my people; As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking, ‘Is this land made for you and me?’”
Find, listen, and learn from the lived experiences and incredible legacies of influential Oklahomans by visiting voicesofoklahoma.com. Voices of Oklahoma operates in partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society, preserving the voices and legacies of influential Oklahomans through oral histories. Scan the QR code below to hear Nora Guthrie’s full interview.
Woody Guthrie, 1943 (2002709330, World Telegram, LOC).