Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma History Center is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a free open house and exhibition on Saturday, 15 November, marking two decades of preserving and sharing the stories that shaped the state of Oklahoma.
Running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the celebration will include guided tours, live historical interpreters, and hands-on activities designed for visitors of all ages. Since opening in 2005, the Oklahoma History Center has connected people to the state’s cultural and historical roots.
“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.”
The day’s programme includes the unveiling of a new major exhibition, Collect. Preserve. Share. 20 Years at the Oklahoma History Center, located in the Sam Noble Gallery.
As an affiliate of both the Smithsonian Institution and the National Archives, and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Center is widely regarded for its educational outreach and public engagement.
“As an affiliate of both the Smithsonian and National Archives and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Oklahoma History Center invites the public to experience history in meaningful, engaging, and accessible ways.”
Statewide Events and Cultural Highlights
The anniversary weekend coincides with a series of related events organised by the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) and its regional partners.
At 1 p.m. on 15 November, the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library will host a Statehood Day panel titled “Statehood From the Ground Up.” The lecture will explore the formation of Oklahoma’s statehood and its impacts on diverse communities.
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Sunu Kodumthara, professor of history at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and will feature Travis Chambers, lecturer of American history; Tuesdae Pelt-Willis, professor of history at Rose State College; and Kati Cain (Chickasaw), research specialist and genealogist for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Culture and Humanities.
Entry to this event is included with regular museum admission.
OKPOP Nears Completion
The long-awaited Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP) is also nearing its debut after years of planning and collaboration.
A statement from organisers reflected on its journey:
“For years, the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP) has existed as a dream, a big idea championed by visionaries who believed Oklahoma’s cultural heritage deserved a stage of its own.”
“When it opens, OKPOP won’t just be a museum; it will be a living, breathing celebration of Oklahoma’s creativity.”
The museum is expected to feature galleries filled with sound, colour, and artefacts from Oklahomans who shaped national and global popular culture.
Academic Lectures and Symposium
On Friday, 14 November, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will welcome Dr. Kalenda Eaton of the University of Oklahoma for a lecture titled “Tiny Boxes and Vast Legacies: Mapping the African American Homesteading Story in Oklahoma Territory.”
Drawing on data from the Oklahoma Black Homesteader Project, Dr. Eaton will explore the lives and communities of African American homesteaders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with particular examples from Garfield County. The event will be held at the Village Church in the Humphrey Heritage Village and is included in the regular price of admission.
The OHS has also issued a Call for Proposals for the Oklahoma History Symposium, themed “Milestones in Oklahoma History.” The one-day symposium, scheduled for 2 May 2026, will invite submissions from scholars, educators, and the public.
According to organisers, the symposium “encompasses a range of historical topics related to the state of Oklahoma” and will provide “a venue for scholars, students, educators, public history professionals, and the general public from across the state and region to share their work and interests with others.”
Heritage and Seasonal Programmes
The festive season will begin early at Hunter’s Home, where the Countdown to Christmas programme starts on 18 November. The series will continue through 10 December, exploring traditional 1850s decorations, seasonal foods, and handcrafted gifts, leading up to the Christmas Open House on 14 December.
Meanwhile, the Fort Gibson Historic Site will host a living history demonstration titled “Advanced Weaponry and the Santa Fe Trail in the 1830s” on 15 November. Historical interpreter Seth Goff will present on civilian and military firearms of the 1830s, inspired by Josiah Gregg’s classic Commerce on the Prairies (1849).
On 17 November, the Kilgen Theatre Organ Performance at the Oklahoma History Center will feature organist Chris Elliot accompanying the 1925 silent film Phantom of the Opera. Tickets are £8 ($10) for OHS members and £16 ($20) for the public, available by calling 405-522-0765.
Celebrating Woody Guthrie’s Legacy
This year also marks the 85th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s enduring song “This Land Is Your Land.” Recognised by the Recording Industry Association of America as the third most important song of the twentieth century, the song was written in February 1940 and recorded in 1944.
To celebrate the milestone, Voices of Oklahoma has re-released an interview with Guthrie’s daughter, Nora Guthrie, recorded by John Erling in 2010. In the interview, Nora discusses the background and inspiration behind her father’s most famous work.
Continuing a Legacy of Public Engagement
As it celebrates twenty years, the Oklahoma Historical Society continues to connect communities through education, heritage, and storytelling. The organisation encourages the public to follow its online calendar for the latest programmes, exhibits, and cultural events taking place across its museums and historical sites statewide.
