The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has announced a comprehensive line-up of cultural, educational, and historical events across the state this autumn. From folklife celebrations and book sales to reenactments, concerts, and milestone anniversaries, the programme highlights Oklahoma’s deep-rooted cultural diversity and commitment to public engagement.
Folklife Festival to Showcase Living Traditions
The flagship 2025 Oklahoma Folklife Festival will take place on Saturday, 25 October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Admission is free. Organisers say the event will offer an immersive experience in traditional crafts, music, and storytelling.
The festival’s organisers said its goals are to “spark curiosity, facilitate intercultural exchange, create participatory experiences, and collaborate with cultural practitioners, communities, and heritage professionals.” The event will be held primarily indoors to ensure comfort and accessibility for attendees.
Book Sale and Historical Podcast
Coinciding with the festival, the John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center will host its annual book sale from 22 to 25 October, with doors open between 10 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on weekdays and until 1 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors can explore a range of rare and historical publications relating to Oklahoma’s past.
OHS is also highlighting the latest edition of its A Very OK Podcast, titled The 1920 Election. Hosts Trait Thompson and Dr Bob Blackburn discuss the pivotal shift in Oklahoma politics when a Republican landslide ended decades of Democratic control. Guest Dr Sunu Kodumthara, history professor at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, joins them to examine “the tepid response to the League of Nations proposal from President Wilson, the economy after World War I, and the first national election in which women participated.”
Author Event at Pawnee Bill Ranch
On Sunday, 26 October, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum will welcome author Chris Enss for a book signing of her latest release, The Sharpshooter and the Showman: May Lillie, Pawnee Bill, and Their Wild West Show (Farcountry Press, 2025). The book offers a detailed history of Western performers May and Bill Lillie, whose touring Wild West shows became a national sensation in the early 20th century.
Civil War Education and Reenactment
The Battle of Honey Springs Education Day on Friday, 7 November, will bring Oklahoma’s Civil War history to life. Students will participate in educational activities focusing on military drills, period cooking, and daily life in the 1860s. The OHS said, “Living historians will demonstrate military drills, cooking techniques, everyday activities for soldiers, and civilian life.” Attendance is free, though schools must pre-register.
The Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment will follow on 8–9 November, featuring self-guided tours through Union, Confederate, and civilian camps. Reenactments begin at 1 p.m. daily, and admission costs $10 per person, with children 12 and under admitted free.
Oklahoma History Center Marks 20 Years
On Saturday, 15 November, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a free public event. The centre opened in 2005 and has since become a cornerstone for historical education and preservation. Visitors can enjoy “hands-on artifact carts, guided tours led by staff and volunteers, and live historical interpreters throughout the museum galleries.” Special programming will run throughout the day.
Silent Film and Seasonal Festivities
The OHS will host a Kilgen Theatre Organ performance on Monday, 17 November, featuring the 1925 silent film Phantom of the Opera. World-renowned organist Clark Wilson will provide live musical accompaniment and sound effects. Tickets are $10 for OHS members and $20 for non-members, available online or by phone.
For families, a range of Halloween-themed events are also planned, including the “History Never Dies” Halloween Carnival at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum, Ghost Stories Tours at Pawnee Bill Ranch, Trick-or-Treat at the Museum at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, and Haunt the Hill at the Chisholm Trail Museum.
Preservation Workshops and OKPOP Appeal
Two State Historic Preservation Office webinars are scheduled for late October: National Register of Historic Places Overview on 28 October, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) on 29 October. Both sessions are free to attend.
Meanwhile, country music star Blake Shelton has lent his support to the OKPOP Museum, which is entering the final stage of fundraising before opening to the public. Shelton said, “Music is my livelihood, and Oklahoma is my home—my heart. So, when I heard more about OKPOP’s mission to inspire and empower young Oklahoma musicians or artists like me, I knew I had to get involved. OKPOP is telling the stories of Oklahomans who influence pop culture in such a cool and innovative way, and folks from all over the country are going to love it.”
Looking Ahead
Edited by Nina Hager, the Oklahoma Historical Society’s announcements showcase a thriving cultural calendar that bridges history and community. A spokesperson encouraged the public to visit the OHS website for updates on exhibitions, workshops, and future events, noting that “our calendar constantly changes with the latest programs and activities, from seasonal events to celebrations, exhibits, films, educational classes, and workshops.”
