Tag: history

There’s nothing more American than celebrations for the Fourth of July. For nearly 250 years, we’ve been taking time during the heat of summer to remember that fateful July day when the future was sealed for our country. And, really, the celebrations remain much as they were that first July holiday. Considered the curmudgeon of the founding fathers, John Adams insisted...

The Oklahoma Historical Society has proudly cultivated The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, an online resource available to educate readers on Oklahoma’s history, including notable men and women. Though the list is extensive, and time spent researching would be of value, Elizabeth Bass, Ph.D., director of publications for the Oklahoma Historical Society, shares some insight on just a...

Most of the United States – and arguably much of the world – was enthralled with the idea of space travel in the 1950s and ’60s. And it wasn’t just adults who were entertaining a growing interest in all things space – children were equally as enchanted in the idea of launching off to the moon. So much so...

In 1962, the Houston Chronicle dubbed Jefferson Spivey as the fastest draw in the modern west. Spivey then migrated to Hollywood, where he taught actors to draw, twirl and holster a .45 Colt handgun. Impassioned by the Wild West mystique, Spivey fulfilled a childhood dream in 1968. He saddled up an Arabian horse, Mister Sol, in Santa Barbara, Calif. Then,...

Whether you credit the unique history of the state; the sorts of people who have always been drawn to this region; or just happenstance, the innovation and invention that have taken place in Oklahoma, and by Oklahomans, has impacted lives across the globe. The “Oklahoma Standard” of resilience, perseverance and high expectations can be traced through the history of...

The history of Oklahoma often gets obscured by the fact that many don’t think back past preliminary European contact. But there was a rich history here many millennia before the first Europeans arrived – and archeology is the way to study these prehistoric civilizations. “Knowing what past people in Oklahoma were doing really does inform the present, and our understandings...

Cataloging archeological and historic properties significant in our nation’s history, the National Park Service’s (NPS) National Register of Historic Places (NR) includes over 97,000 listings. It also contains information on over 1.4 million additional resources. Authorized by a 1966 federal law, the program coordinates and supports public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America’s historic and archeological...

Located in the northeast corner of Muskogee County, Fort Gibson is a noteworthy spot on Oklahoma’s map – not only for its proximity to today’s beckoning outdoor recreational opportunities, but for the nearby reconstructed military fort that holds historical significance to the entire state. Near the town of 3,740 is the Fort Gibson military outpost that played a vital role...

As the autumn season bursts into color, you may find that you’re in the mood for a scary story. Although this time of the year ushers in an abundance of horror movies, you may be surprised to learn that Oklahoma has dozens of allegedly haunted hotspots, with plenty of homegrown lore to boot.  Whether you choose to believe in these...

Integral infrastructure updates are just around the corner for the 24 museums and sites owned by the Oklahoma Historical Society, and caretakers are practically giddy about it. “The two and a half million dollars is going to go so far,” says Chantry Banks, executive director of Preservation Oklahoma, which manages the Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion. “Getting the roof repaired...