Oklahoma Historical Society Announces Autumn Programme of Cultural and Historical Events

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has unveiled a packed calendar of public events for autumn 2025, ranging from music and dance to Civil War reenactments and archaeological discovery days. The activities, many of which are free to attend, will take place at OHS museums and heritage sites across the state, showcasing Oklahoma’s diverse cultural heritage and community engagement.

Folklife Festival Returns to Oklahoma City

The centrepiece of the season’s programme is the 2025 Oklahoma Folklife Festival, which will be held at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, 25 October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival aims to engage visitors by encouraging participation in interactive activities celebrating the state’s cultural diversity.

Organisers say the event’s goals include “sparking curiosity, facilitating intercultural exchange, creating participatory experiences, and collaborating with cultural practitioners, communities, and heritage professionals.” The day’s activities will primarily take place indoors, and admission is free of charge.

Annual Book Sale to Accompany Festival Week

Coinciding with the festival, the John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick Research Center will host its annual book sale from Wednesday, 22 October, to Saturday, 25 October. Visitors will be able to browse a wide range of titles from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Two Decades of History at the Oklahoma History Center

A major milestone follows in November, when the Oklahoma History Center marks its 20th anniversary with a public celebration on Saturday, 15 November, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone.

“Whether you are a longtime supporter or a first-time visitor, November 15 is the perfect day to discover what makes the Oklahoma History Center a place worth celebrating!” organisers said.

Since opening in 2005, the History Center has served as a key educational and cultural institution, connecting visitors to the state’s stories and heritage. The anniversary event will include hands-on artifact carts, guided tours, and live historical interpreters throughout the museum galleries. It will also see the opening of a new exhibition, Collect. Preserve. Share. 20 Years at the Oklahoma History Center, in the Sam Noble Gallery.

Reenactments and Living History at Honey Springs

The Honey Springs Battlefield near Checotah will once again come alive during its biennial Civil War reenactment weekend, beginning on Friday, 7 November, with an Education Day for schools, followed by public events on Saturday, 8 November, and Sunday, 9 November.

Visitors can take self-guided tours of Union, Confederate, and civilian camps, and attend a large-scale reenactment at 1 p.m. each day. The site will also feature military drills, living history demonstrations, and Sutler’s Row, where vendors will sell period-style goods and reproduction 19th-century military equipment.

Heritage Events Across Oklahoma

Elsewhere in the state, The Chisholm and Kingfisher County 4-H will co-host a Barn Dance on Saturday, 18 October, from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening includes live music by Mackynsie McKedy, dancing, and a chicken-fried steak dinner served from working chuck wagons. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for children aged 13 and under, with proceeds benefiting the museum and local 4-H programmes.

Also at The Chisholm, the Parlor Jams event on Saturday, 25 October, from 1 to 3 p.m., will feature “Wayne Cantwell, ‘the Flyin’ Fiddler,’” leading an open jam session in the parlor of Horizon Hill, home of Territorial Governor A.J. Seay. The event is free for musicians and open to the public.

At Fort Gibson Historic Site, visitors can explore “soldier entertainments and pastimes” from the 1800s on Saturday, 18 October, and Saturday, 25 October, including card games, dice, and early baseball. Living history programmes run from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center will host Archaeology Day on Saturday, 18 October, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family-oriented event offers hands-on learning about prehistoric tools, foods, and artifact sorting, with free admission throughout the day.

Rounding out the month’s schedule, Honey Springs Battlefield will present “Sabers and Shotguns: Civil War Cavalry in Indian Territory” on Saturday, 18 October, at 10:30 a.m., led by Cody Faber of the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Arkansas. Faber, described as a park ranger, volunteer, living history interpreter, and historic weapons coordinator, will demonstrate the use of cavalry during the Civil War, accompanied by horses from Fort Smith.

Community Engagement and Cultural Education

The Oklahoma Historical Society’s upcoming programme highlights its continued commitment to community engagement and education through interactive, family-friendly experiences. With free entry to most events, the society’s autumn calendar invites residents and visitors alike to explore the state’s cultural legacy through music, history, and storytelling.