Historic Reenactments and Cultural Events Set to Draw Crowds Across Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is preparing for a busy autumn season with a lineup of educational and cultural events across its museums and heritage sites. Among the highlights is the return of the Battle of Honey Springs Civil War Reenactment, which promises to attract visitors from across the state and beyond.

Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment Returns

The renowned Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment will take place at the Honey Springs Battlefield on Saturday, 8 November and Sunday, 9 November. Held biennially, the event offers a rare opportunity for visitors to experience one of Oklahoma’s most significant Civil War engagements.

Guests can enjoy self-guided tours through the Union, Confederate, and civilian camps, as well as full-scale battle reenactments scheduled for 1 p.m. on both days. Additional attractions include live demonstrations of military drills, 19th-century cooking and crafts, and Sutler’s Row, where vendors sell period clothing, books, and reproduction military equipment.

Admission costs $10 per person, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. OHS noted that the event “will not take place again until 2027,” underscoring its limited run and importance to Civil War history enthusiasts.

Education Day Engages Oklahoma Students

Ahead of the reenactment weekend, Education Day will be held on Friday, 7 November, offering school groups a hands-on learning experience. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., students will rotate through education stations covering military drills, everyday soldier life, and civilian activities from the Civil War era.

Numerous sutlers will be selling 19th-century reproduction goods, while food vendors provide refreshments. The event is free of charge, though pre-registration is required.

Lecture Explores Black Homesteaders in Oklahoma

On Wednesday, 5 November, the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library will host a free evening lecture titled “‘Our Farm Home Near Langston:’ Understanding Homesteading as a Movement.” Presented by Dr. Kalenda Eaton, the discussion forms part of the Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project—a research and archival initiative aimed at identifying, cataloguing, and mapping land claims by Black settlers between 1889 and 1920.

The project highlights the historical impact of African American homesteaders on the development of Oklahoma Territory and contributes to a broader understanding of land ownership as a form of empowerment during the post-Reconstruction period.

Classic Film Returns with Live Organ Accompaniment

Cultural programming continues with a Kilgen Theatre Organ Performance at the Oklahoma History Center on Monday, 17 November. The 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera will be screened with live musical accompaniment by organist Chris Elliot, who will provide background music and sound effects for the iconic horror film.

The performance runs from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are priced at $10 for OHS members and $20 for non-members, available both by phone and online. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fall Events Across Oklahoma Museums

OHS’s seasonal programming continues across the state with a variety of events. The Oklahoma Territorial Museum will host the “History Never Dies” Halloween Carnival on 25 October, while Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum presents its Ghost Stories Tours the same weekend.

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum features several themed events, including “Trick-or-Treat at the Museum” (30 October), “Hats off to Will” Luncheon (1 November), and the annual Will Rogers Birthday Party celebration.

At the Chisholm Trail Museum, visitors can attend “Haunt the Hill at The Chisholm” (31 October), while the Fort Towson Historic Site will host a Dutch Oven Gathering showcasing traditional frontier cooking.

Educational programmes continue into November with the State Historic Preservation Office’s seminar “Saving the Sacred: Cemetery Preservation and Conservation” (6 November), followed by the Oklahoma Territorial Museum’s event “The Magnificent Citizenship: Politics, Gender, and Race in Early Oklahoma.” The Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School will conclude the week with “Wagons and Buggies Show: A Rural Heritage Festival” (8 November).

Preserving Oklahoma’s Heritage

Through its wide-ranging schedule, the Oklahoma Historical Society continues to champion historical preservation and community engagement. From Civil War reenactments to lectures on social movements and cultural performances, OHS’s programmes provide meaningful connections to the state’s diverse past.

Residents and visitors can explore the full event calendar and registration details on the OHS website or through its official social media channels.