Vol. 40, No. 12 Published monthly by the Oklahoma Historical Society, serving since 1893 December 2009

Echo Foster’s impression of a portion of the OklahomaState Meal, including strawberries, and the official statebeverage, milk (Staff photo).

Michael Croy’s interpretation combines a view of thestate beverage (milk), the state flag, the CapitolBuilding, the state wild flower (gaillardia), and the stategame animal (white-tailed deer) (Staff photo).

The winners of the OHS Kids! Stu-dent Art Contest, which began onSeptember 1, were selected duringthe first week of November. Thisyear’s theme was “Oklahoma Sym-bols.” The contest was open togrades 1–3 and 4–6. First-, second-,and third-place prizes were awardedin each category. In addition, theteachers of the first-place winnerswill also receive a prize.

A total of 748 students, attendingschools in every part of Oklahoma,submitted entries.

The winners in grades 1–3 are: inFirst Place, Echo Foster, of Walters,age 7; in Second Place, Emma Child-ers, of Tahlequah, age 8, and in ThirdPlace, Adhya Kumar, of Edmond, age8. Taking the prizes in grades 4–6 are:in First Place, Michael Croy, of Pied-mont, age 11; in Second Place, KyleeVaughan, of Stilwell, age 11; and in

Third Place, Tess Childers, of Tah-lequah, age 11.

The first-place winner in each cat-egory received a one-year OklahomaHistorical Society Family Member-ship, an Oklahoma History CenterT-Shirt, and an Oklahoma SymbolsColoring Book.

Second-place champs got a Fam-ily Pass to the Oklahoma HistoryCenter, an Oklahoma Symbols Mag-net, and an Oklahoma Symbols Col-oring Book.

Third-place winners have receiveda Family Pass to the Oklahoma His-tory Center and an Oklahoma Sym-bols Coloring Book.

The teachers of the first-place win-ners get an Oklahoma Symbols prizepack including an Oklahoma Bulle-tin Board set, an Oklahoma SymbolsProjects Book, and also The Big Okla-homa Reproducible Activity Book.

OHS Kids! Student Art Contest winners announced in November

Route 66 Museum enters Clinton Christmas paradeOpen house set for December 1

The Route 66 Museum in Clinton kicks off the Holiday Season duringClinton’s Festival of Lights event, scheduled for December 1, 2009. The mu-seum offers free admission and refreshments, and this year the museum willbe entering a float in the parade and exhibiting a Christmas tree display andthe Route 66 Association’s Photography Contest images.

This year’s float, designed by the museum volunteers, will be pulled by a“classic truck,” a 1966 Dodge. The museum will also enter a 1937 bumper car.The Festival of Lights parade will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Main Street (or FriscoAvenue) in Clinton, Oklahoma.

For the Christmas tree display, various Clinton schools and civic groups willdecorate trees in the galleries. Each participating group researches its desig-nated era and then decorates a tree accordingly. Previous years’ creations in-cluded a popcorn-garlanded tree of the 1920s, an Elvis tree of the 1950s, anda psychedelic tree of the 1960s. The exhibit will be on view from December 1 toDecember 31.

In addition to the Christmas tree display, the museum will be exhibiting theentries of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association Photography Contest; all imagesdepict Route 66 sites and events in Oklahoma. While all the entries will be dis-played, the exhibit will highlight the eight categorical winners and the overallgrand prize winner chosen by local photographers at Blunck’s Studios. Thiscontest is organized by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Blunck’s Studios,and Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.

In addition to the open house, the Christmas tree exhibit will require an ad-mission ticket; however, the photography exhibit will be available for viewing inthe museum’s Wow! Room, which is free to the public. Fall hours of operationare Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to5 p.m. Admission for visitors touring the galleries is $3 for adults, $2.50 for se-niors and groups of 10 or more, and $1 for students 6 to 18. Children underage 5 are admitted free.

On the evening of the open house the museum will be open until 9 p.m., withfree admission to tour it and refreshments for all who take advantage of thisone-night-only event.

Oklahoma Historical SocietyEditor: Dr. Dianna Everett

Membership Office: Alma Moore405/522-5242

<ohsmembers@okhistory.org>

Mistletoe Leaves (USPS 018–315) is published monthly by the OklahomaHistorical Society, 2401 N. Laird Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73105–7914.Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK. (ISSN 1932-0108)

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mistletoe Leaves, 2401 N. Laird Ave-nue, Oklahoma City, OK 73105–7914.

By authorization of the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Board of Directors,6,000 copies are prepared at a cost of $1,302.72 each month. The publicationis financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, UnitedStates Department of the Interior.

Contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of theOklahoma Historical Society or the United States Department of the Interior.Mention of trade names does not constitute endorsement or recommendationby either organization.

Mistletoe Leaves is published for the members and friends of the Okla-homa Historical Society in partial fulfillment of the Society’s purpose to“preserve and perpetuate the history of Oklahoma and its people, to stimulatepopular interest in historical study and research, and to promote anddisseminate historical knowledge.”

The public and OHS members are encouraged to submit heritage-relateditems for publication. Students and teachers are invited to share studies andprograms and to duplicate contents as desired. Editors are welcome to reprintmaterials with credit.

All Oklahoma Historical Society facilities are for the education and enjoy-ment of all. State and federal regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination instate and federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, nationalorigin, and/or handicap.

Anyone denied benefits should contact the Executive Director of the Okla-homa Historical Society, 2401 N. Laird Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73105–7914, telephone 405/521-2491, and/or the Director, Office of Equal Oppor-tunity, United States Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

In the day-to-day shuffle between dailytasks and looking over the next horizon, it iseasy to lose sight of the fundamentals,whether it is one person or an entireorganization.

At the Oklahoma Historical Society, wherewe are juggling the twin tasks of movingahead under full sail and trimming our re-sources due to budget cuts, it is more im-portant than ever that we pause occasion-ally and touch base with our institutionalfundamentals.

To me, that means collecting, preserving,and sharing the history of Oklahoma andits people. It does not matter who is doingthe collecting, preserving, and sharing, aslong it is being done and being done well.

With that inclusive approach in mind, weare proposing a new program that will em-power our partner organizations around thestate to do a better job of collecting, preserv-ing, and sharing. That proposal is agrants-in-aid program for the 140 or morehistorical museums that are scattered fromBoise City to Idabel.

In short, we are asking the OklahomaLegislature to create a fund that will provideannual grants of $25,000 or less to histori-cal museums operated by 501(c)(3) organi-zations, cities, counties, tribes, or the state.

The grants must be matched in cash on abasis of 75 percent to 25 percent, with the25 percent coming from the grant fund. Forexample, if the Sand Springs Historical Mu-seum has in hand $75,000 for operations,they can apply for $25,000. If their cash onhand is $7,500, they can ask for $2,500.

In addition to cash, recipients must haveregularly scheduled hours of operation, aconstitution and by-laws, a board of direc-tors, and a business plan. Some institu-tions might be run by volunteers; othersmight have professional staff. All would beeligible if they meet the basic criteria.

Underlying this effort is a belief that localhistorical organizations are better posi-tioned to collect the history of our families,businesses, schools, communities, andtribes. Through the grants program, theOklahoma Historical Society could assistwith the preservation and sharing of thosecollections.

At the OHS we do not care who collects orowns the photographs, documents, and ar-tifacts that tell the story of our collectivehistory. We do care that all are being col-lected and treated with the proper profes-sional practices.

During the next three months Whit Ed-wards and Kathy Dickson will be collectinginformation about local historical museumsthat might be eligible for this program. Ifyou know of a group that needs help andfits the basic criteria outlined above, giveWhit a call at 405/522-5235 or e-mail himat <wedwards@okhistory.org>. When westart the legislative session, we want to rep-resent each of your communities and im-prove your ability to collect, preserve, andshare history.

Yes, it is easy to lose sight of the funda-mentals. Working together, we can makesure our generation does its part in savingOklahoma history.

By Bob L. BlackburnExecutive Director

Director’sColumn

Development NewsBy Paul F. Lambert

Listed in this issue are new members ofthe Oklahoma Historical Society who joinedin October. It is a long list. In fact, we havehad gratifying results in recruiting new members over the past several years, in spite of thedownturn in the economy. On behalf of the officers, directors, and staff of the OHS, I wantto welcome all of our new members. We appreciate your support. All members should feelfree to contact me at 405/522-5217 or <plambert@okhistory.org> if you have any ques-tions regarding membership or development matters.

To my chagrin, our membership development efforts have led to some members receivinga letter of invitation to join. Although we were told by our mailing service that the number ofsuch duplications would be held to a minimum, we are not pleased with the result. We planto alter our approach in the future to avoid relying on computer screening as this has notworked as effectively as we expected. Meanwhile, I want to apologize to members who havereceived such letters.

Finally, we are pleased by the reception that our e-newsletter, OHS EXTRA!, has re-ceived. As of the first week of November we were sending OHS EXTRA! to almost 2,500e-mail addresses. If you have recently started receiving the e-newsletter, please note thelink that will let you access our archive of previous issues. OHS EXTRA! is mailed everyTuesday except during the weeks of major holidays. If you want to be added to the list of re-cipients, please e-mail me your e-mail address at <plambert@okhistory.org>, and we willadd you to the list!

New Members, October

*Indicates renewed membership at a higher level

Director’s CircleMr. and Mrs. Harrison Levy, Oklahoma City*Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. McGraw, TulsaSamonia Meredith, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Larry Nichols, Oklahoma CityJoseph Prichard, Krebs

Fellow*Ann Alspaugh, Oklahoma CityNorvell Clarke, Oklahoma CityCliff and Leslie Hudson, Oklahoma City

Associate*W. S. Atherton, TulsaDr. and Mrs. Sterling Baker, EdmondMr. and Mrs. Ken Greenwood, TulsaM. D. Howell, Oklahoma CityLarry Lucas, Oklahoma CityCarl S. Milam, Oklahoma City

FriendMrs. Cynthia L. Barnes,TulsaSteve Berlin & Debbie Smith-Berlin,Tulsa*Mr. and Mrs. Russal B. Brawley, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Kirk Broussard, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Mal Bucholtz, Oklahoma CityMr. Merrill Burruss, Jr., GearyMr. and Mrs. Bob Carleton, ArdmoreMs. Tabitha Cole, Oklahoma CityDr. and Mrs. Chris G. Covington, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Glenn A. Cox, BartlesvilleMr. and Mrs. Alan Deaton, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Bill Downs, EdmondMr. and Mrs. Bill Edwards, StillwaterEllen F. Eisne, Oklahoma CityToby Fell, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Ferretti, Edmond*Mr. and Mrs. Pat Ferry, Little Rock, ARMr. and Mrs. Richard R. Frazier, Irving, TXMr. and Mrs. E. Leonard Gillingham, WeatherfordRalph Goedtken, Oklahoma CityCharles E. Griffin,Woodstock, GARev. B. E. Henke, EdmondMr. and Mrs. Robert Holtsmith, EdmondMr. and Mrs. James F. Hostler, Jr, ArcadiaLouvinia B. Judy, Oklahoma CityThe Kerr Foundation, Oklahoma CityThe Honorable Robert J. LaFortune, TulsaHelen Lange, EdmondPhyllis A. Linker, WashingtonMr. and Mrs. Dick McKnight, EnidDr. Lester C. Miller,GoodwellMr. and Mrs. William J. Moore, New Bloomfield, PAMr. and Mrs. Mark O. Neumeister, EdmondJames H. Norick, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Jack Painter, Oklahoma CityJoseph L. Parker, Jr., Tulsa*Mrs. R. Phillips Pringle,TulsaMr. and Mrs. Ronnie Redinger, SeilingMr. James Rhodes, Bella Vista, AR

cont’d on page 7

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MeetingsThe Oklahoma Genealogical Societywill hold its regular monthly meeting onMonday, December 7, 2009, at 6 p.m. inthe Chesapeake Events Center inside theOklahoma History Center, 2401 NorthLaird Ave., in Oklahoma City. Guestspeaker Gregory A. Boyd will present“Finding the Family Farm on Maps” andexplain how to use the Arphax Land PlatMap Series. The Oklahoma History Cen-ter Research Library will be staffed andremain open until 7:45 p.m. that evening.(Special to ML)

EventsThe historic 1879 Murray Lindsay Man-sion and the adjacent 1908 Pikes Peaktwo-room schoolhouse, both located inLindsay, will be the venue for a Christ-mas event on December 7, from 1 to 4p.m. Visitors will enjoy the holiday deco-rations and planned activities as well as avisit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Refresh-ments will include finger foods, punch,and hot cider. Admission is free, but pho-tos with Santa will cost $5. For info call405/756-6502 or 405/756-3849.(Special to ML)

The 2009 Oklahoma City Train Show willbe held at the Travel and TransportationBuilding, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds,on Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to5 p.m., and on Sunday, December 6, from11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7; chil-dren age twelve and under get in free.Phone 405/842-4846 for additional info.(Special to ML)

The Blaine County Fairgrounds inWatonga will be the venue for Santa’s Vil-lage & Holiday Craft Show on December5. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the entirefamily can enjoy a large Christmas dis-play for children and browse throughmore than sixty booths of holiday craftsand gift items. Admission is free. ContactAnita Woodruff at 580/623-4681 or go to<woodruff@watonga.com>.(Special to ML)

Lake Wister State Park is hosting“Lights On the Island” from December 5through 25. Every evening from 6 to 9p.m. families can drive through theChristmas light display. Admission isfree; however, donations will be accepted.Call Karen Wages at 918/647-9178 formore information. (Special to ML)

A “Festival of Lights” Christmas paradewill take place on Main Street in Guymonon Saturday, December 5. Beginning atdark the event will also include Santa’sWorkshop, and children can have theirpicture taken with the jolly man in thered suit. For more information just call580/338-3376. (Special to ML)

Enjoy ice skating on the Market Square indowntown Durant. The outdoor rink willbe open every Saturday and Sunday fromDecember 5 through January 4. Hoursvary. On December 5 the rink will beavailable from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thereaf-ter, skaters can glide across the ice from 4to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.Beginning December 18 through January4 the hours will be 1 to 10 p.m. ContactDonna Dow at 580/924-1550 for info.(Special to ML)

The Christmas Train is coming! The Okla-homa Railway Museum, 3400 NortheastGrand Blvd., Oklahoma City, will berunning the Christmas Train on Satur-day, December 19, at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m.,noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Tickets are$12. To purchase tickets or get more info,telephone 405/424-0504 or go to the website at <oklahomarailwaymuseum.org>.(Special to ML)

Kingfisher County Fairgrounds in King-fisher is the venue for a Winterfest CraftShow planned for Saturday, December 5,from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than sixtybooths will offer crafts as well as gift andhome decor items. Telephone Eva Ryan at405/375-4533 for details.(Special to ML)

A breakfast with Santa, a Christmas pa-rade, and a 1920s lantern tour are sched-uled on December 12, in downtown Fred-erick. The free event will take place from8 a.m. to noon. After breakfast visitorscan watch the parade featuring floats anddisplays from community groups and or-ganizations. The lantern tour involves athirty-minute walk through a 1920s ruralcommunity. Phone Sharon Bennett at580/335-2126 for additional informa-tion. (Special to ML)

Tulsa’s Chandler Park, located at 6500West Twenty-first St., will be bright withholiday lights from November 27 throughDecember 27. Open Friday throughSunday from 6 to 9 p.m. families candrive through the park or enjoy a carriageride. For more info call 918/591-6053.(Special to ML)

It is never too early to start planning NewYear’s Eve activities. Some Oklahomacommunities have already scheduledevents. Pawnee’s Courthouse Square willbe the venue for a party with bonfire, mu-sic, black-eyed peas, hot chocolate, and amidnight ball drop on December 31. BillGosnell at 918/762-2108 is the contactperson. The Price Tower, located at 510Dewey Ave. in Bartlesville, is hosting aNew Year’s Eve event from 9 p.m. to 1a.m. It will feature the lowering of a hugeolive down the side of the Price Tower intoa big martini glass at midnight. Enjoy livemusic, food, and drinks. Call JenniferCordero at 918/336-4949 for additionalinformation.(Special to ML)

ExhibitsThe Cherokee Heritage Center, in ParkHill, has announced the opening of a newexhibit, Time of Transition, a CherokeeTown in the 1700s. On view through April4, 2010, this exhibition examines thechanging culture of the Cherokee peopleas they responded to the influence oftrade with Europeans. It explores theblending of traditional materials with Eu-ropean trade goods. Materials on displaycompare such items as clothing made ofskins with that made of trade cloth andstone tools with metal tools. Visitors, es-pecially children, can learn about thetime period and the materials throughhands-on activities. The CHC is openMonday through Saturday from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Toget more info telephone 918/456-6007 orcall toll free at 888/999-6007 or visit theInternet at <www.cherokeeheritage.org>.(Special to ML)

The National Cowboy & Western HeritageMuseum, 1700 Northeast Sixty-Third St.,Oklahoma City, has a opened new ex-hibit in the Arthur and Shifra SilbermanGallery of Native American Art. Bonita WaWa Calachaw Nuñez: Selected Works of-fers approximately thirty of Luiseño artistWa Wa Chaw’s pencil drawings as well asexamples of her journals and sketch-books. She was born in 1888 on theRincon Indian Reservation in southernCalifornia. Reared by a prominent physi-cian and his sister in New York City, WaWa Chaw became a lecturer, an enter-tainer, and an activist for Indian and fem-inist causes. The exhibition will be on dis-play through May 9, 2010. For additionalinformation call 405/478-2250.(Special to ML)

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OHS Holiday Season aroundthe state

Pawnee Bill MansionOn December 5 the Pawnee Bill Ranch

Historic Site in Pawnee will host a Chil-dren’s Christmas Story Time and CraftsHour from 10 to 11 a.m. in the museumconference room. Children will hear sto-ries, eat snacks, and work on crafts pro-jects. Space is limited, and preregistrationis required. On December 19 the PawneeBill Ranch will have a Holiday Open Houseand Historic Santas of the World Tour inthe Pawnee Bill Mansion. At that time, theFriends of the Pawnee Bill Ranch Associa-tion annual meeting will take place. Themeeting begins at 11:30 a.m. and will befollowed by a meal. Immediately followingthe meal, the tour of the home will begin.The mansion will be beautifully decoratedfor the holidays, and from 1 to 3 p.m.reenactors portraying Santa Claus charac-ters from all over the world from differenttime periods will be stationed in variousrooms. Telephone 918/762-2513 for de-tails and directions.

Cherokee Strip Museum, PerryThe Cherokee Strip Museum will be dec-

orated for the Christmas season from De-cember 8 through December 31, 2009. Themuseum specializes in decorating with“Scherenschnitte,” a German technique ofcutting paper into fanciful designs. A pop-ular craft, Scherenschnitte produces elab-orately cut shelf papers, cards, doilies, andseasonal decorations. Many intricate de-signs are used throughout the museum todecorate for the holidays. On December 13from 2 to 5 p.m. the annual Christmas Teaand Open House will be held in conjunc-tion with the town of Perry’s ChristmasTour of Homes. Sunday afternoon providesan opportunity to see unique decorationsat the museum and at selected homes inPerry. Call 580/336-2405.

Drummond HomeThe Friends of the Drummond Home will

be hosting their annual Christmas tour ofhomes in Hominy on Sunday, December 6.Eight local houses will be decorated for theholidays. The public is invited to tour themand view the outstanding seasonal decora-tions for a nominal fee of $1 per person. At2 p.m. the Fred Drummond home will fea-ture the Parade of Historic Santa Clauses,in which a number of reenactors will be at-tired in clothing from different eras and na-

tions. Call 918/885-2374 for details.

Murrell HomeThe historic Murrell Home at Park

Hill will be hosting its Ninth AnnualChristmas Open House on Sunday, De-cember 13, from 1 to 5 p.m. Visitors areinvited to tour the 1845 mansion andlearn about Christmas customs fromthe mid-Victorian period. The halls willbe decked in Christmas fashions of the1800s. This year’s theme is “FatherChristmas through the Years.”More than a dozen reenactorsdressed in period costume willrepresent Santa Claus in dif-ferent eras. The story of St.Nicholas began around theyear 270 A.D. and has takenmany twists and turns to be-come the modern Santa Claus.These vintage historic Santas

will represent countries from allaround the world, including Rus-sia, Turkey, Holland, Ireland,France, the U.S., and more. Visi-tors are welcome to take pictureswith the historic Santas. MurrellHome is featured this year on theAmerican Association of Univer-sity Women’s Twenty-eighth An-nual “Homes for the Holidays” tour ofhomes in the Tahlequah area. The AAUWwill offer Murrell Home Christmas orna-ments for $12.50, and tickets for the Tourof Homes will be available for $5 in advanceor $6 at the door. For more information onthe AAUW “Homes for the Holidays” tour,contact Irene Wickham at 918/456-5584.A special exhibit of never-before-displayednineteenth-century items from the Murrellfamily will also be showcased in the library

of the home. The Friends of theMurrell Home will have a silentauction of items to raise moneyfor the historic site’s continuedpreservation and interpretation.Live music and craft demonstra-tions will take place all day. TheFriends of the Murrell Home andAAUW will sponsor a receptionwith refreshments. The event isfree and open to the public. Themuseum is located three milessouth of Tahlequah at 19479East Murrell Home Rd. in ParkHill. For more information onChristmas Open House, contact

Murrell Home at 918/456-2751 or e-mailthem at <murrellhome@okhistory.org>.

Frank Phillips HomeIn Bartlesville at Frank Phillips Home,

on December 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. Santaand Mrs. Santa will greet kids in the Gar-den Cottage. There is no admission fee.The Santa family are portrayed by OHSreenactors Brandon and Rachel Reid. OnDecember 17 and again on December 21 areception and open house will be held inthe Phillips Home. Guests may wanderthrough the mansion and admire it in itsChristmas splendor. Many varied Christ-mas trees will amaze the children. FatherChristmas and his wife will be there forsome light conversation. Admission to theopen house is $5 for adults; children aged11 years and under are admitted free ofcharge. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. onthe 17th and 5 p.m. on the 21st and con-tinues until 8:30 p.m. on both nights. Call918/336-2491 for details.

Pioneer Woman MuseumOn December 12 the Pioneer Woman

Museum in Ponca City will again offerholiday classes. In cooking class, studentswill learn how to make a Yule log. The cen-terpiece class will allow each individual tocreate a holiday centerpiece and take ithome. The cost for each session is $30, butif a student signs up for both classes, thetotal cost will be only $50. Holiday cooking

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OHS Historic HomesDirector Martha Rayadmires one of thequilts that resultedfrom the Sod HouseMuseum's monthlyQuilt Days (Staff photo).

starts at 10 a.m., and holiday centerpiececlass starts at 2 p.m. For more informationcall 580/765-6108.

Sod House MuseumThe Sod House Museum in Aline hosts aChristmas Open House on Saturday, De-cember 12, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Comeand see the vintage historic Santas andenjoy cookies and spiced tea. According toRenee Mitchell of the Sod House, “TheSanta Claus of twentieth-century Americais the legacy of Christian tradition, ancientand modern social customs, centuries-oldlegends, historical facts, and the concep-tions of a long line of writers and artists onboth sides of the Atlantic. The story of St.Nicholas begins around the year 270, inthe ancient city of Lycia in Asia Minor.Since beginning, that story has takenmany twists and turns to become ourmodern Santa Claus.” The Oklahoma His-torical Society has developed a programthat allows many of these vintage historicSantas to tell their own part of the story.They are dressed authentically from theirtime period and country of origin. The vin-tage historic Santas will educate and en-tertain their audiences and “make a list,check it twice, and find out who is naughtyor nice.” As this is a busy time of the yearfor Santas, one or two of them might notbe at the Sod House. Those who might justappear could include Ophelia Noel (1800,France), Irish Santa (1870, Ireland) andhis wife, Tundra Santa (1840, mid-Amer-ica), Tartan Santa (1850, Nova Scotia), aswell as others. Come and enjoy a rare visitwith the vintage Santas and hear their sto-ries. Located north of Cleo Springs onState Highway 8, the Sod House Museumis operated by the OHS. Hours are Tues-day through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. For more information contact ReneeMitchell at 580/463-2441 or e-mail her at<sodhouse@okhistory.org>.

SHPO to conduct workshops in DecemberThe Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will hold its annual fall work-

shop series on December 9–11, 2009, in the classrooms at the Oklahoma History Center.Each workshop is devoted to a SHPO federal preservation program and is designed for pres-ervation professionals, government agency representatives, and concerned citizens. Theworkshops are free and open to the public, but those interested in attenting should registerby 5 p.m., Wednesday, December 2. Space is limited.

December 9 (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) - Federal and State Tax Incentives for Rehabilitat-ing Historic Buildings

December 9 (1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.) - The Secretary’s Standards and Guidelines for Reha-bilitating Historic Buildings

December 10 (10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) - The Section 106 Review Process: A Workshop forAgency Officials and Cultural Resource Management Consultants

December 11 (10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) - Working with the National Register of HistoricPlaces

If you have any questions about the workshops’ content, contact Melvena Heisch at405/522-4484 or at <mheisch@okhistory.org>. To register for any or all of the workshops,contact Betty Harris at 405/521-6249 or <bharris@okhistory.org> by 5 p.m., Wednesday,December 2. You may also register online at <www.okhistory.org/shpo/workshops.php>.

Enjoy Fort Gibson by candlelight on December 12Fort Gibson Historic Site is taking reservations for the 2009 edition of the Candlelight

Tour. The 2009 tour will be presented Saturday, December 12. Admission will be $7, andreservations are required. This year’s production is entitled “Peace On The Plains” and is setin 1835. As headquarters of the southwestern frontier, Fort Gibson played a major role inthe government’s effort to remove the Five Civilized Tribes from the Southeast. One very im-portant part of this effort was guaranteeing peace with the tribes that already lived in IndianTerritory. From 1832 through 1835 several expeditions went out from the fort attempting tocontact the Plains Indian tribes. They eventually succeeded, and this resulted in importanttreaties of peace and friendship. Although these treaties made the territory a safer place tolive, they also cleared the way for the forced removals of thousands of eastern Indians. Visi-tors will get to see the fort on the eve of the forced removals and hear the views of the offi-cers, enlisted men, government officials, and tribal leaders. Tours will begin at 6 p.m. andcontinue with groups starting approximately every fifteen minutes. The event ends at 9p.m. For reservations or details call 918/478-4088 or e-mail <fortgibson@okhistory.org>.

Spiro Mounds winter solsticewalk is December 20

The pace of life today is so rushed andhectic that we forget about the naturalrhythms of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Na-tive American farmers understood theserhythms. In the rhythm of the Sun, thewinter solstice is a period of rest, prepara-tion, and celebration. Come to the SpiroMounds Archaeological Center on Decem-ber 20, 2009, and join one of the threeguided walks to learn more about the

winter solstice and how Native Americansdealt with the changes in the seasons.

Archaeologist and manager Dennis Pe-terson will lead guided tours starting at 11a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. He will discussthis unique prehistoric Native Americanmound site, the types of mounds, why theywere created, and why some of the moundsare lined up for the sunsets of the solticesand equinoxes. Each walk will take abouttwo hours and require a mile of easywalking.

For those wishing to see the sunset, the2 p.m. walk will end just before sunset,which is when the alignment will takeplace. Come out to experience one of theunique historical sites in the United States,as seen by an archaeologist.

There is a small fee for this series of toursof $3 for adults and $2 for children. No res-ervations are required except for a biggroup. Dress warmly for the weather!

The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Centeris the only prehistoric Native American siteopen to the public in Oklahoma and is ad-ministered by the Oklahoma Historical So-ciety. Hours are Wednesday through Sat-urday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and onSunday from noon until 5 p.m.; closed onstate holidays. Admission, except for spe-cial programs, is free. The center is located3 miles east of Spiro on Highway 9/271and 4 miles north on Lock and Dam Road.For more information or to schedule agroup tour, call 918/962-2062.

Hidden Collections . . .The Hannah Atkins Collection

By Larry O’DellThe Oklahoma Historical Society’s staff

becomes very excited when one of thestate’s true pioneers chooses our institu-tion to care for some of her precious re-cords. That is the case with the HannahAtkins Collection (2007.114). In 2005 shedonated more than twenty-three cubic feetof material to the OHS. From this assem-blage researchers can choose among aplethora of topics to study in the collection,including politics, women’s issues, educa-tion, jazz music, and Civil Rights.Born Hannah Diggs in Winston-Salem,North Carolina, in 1923, Atkins attendedSaint Augustine’s College and the Univer-sity of Chicago before moving to Oklahomain 1952. She worked as a librarian for theOklahoma City Public Libraries and thenat the Oklahoma State Library. In 1968Oklahomans elected Atkins as the first Af-rican American woman to serve in thestate’s House of Representatives. In 1980President Jimmy Carter appointed her asan ambassador to the United Nations. In1983 she served as assistant director forthe Oklahoma Department of Human Ser-vices, and in 1987 she became Oklahoma

Secretary of State. Throughout her careershe has been active in several organiza-tions, including the National Association ofBlack Women Legislators, the DemocraticNational Committee, the American CivilLiberties Union, and the NAACP. Atkins

founded the Oklahoma Black PoliticalCaucus and co-founded the OklahomaChapter of the National Women’s Politi-cal Caucus.

Atkins’s papers date from 1950 to 2005and cover her career, including her time asa legislator and in other offices. Otheritems are notes and ephemera from nu-merous conferences and organizations inwhich Atkins participated. Some of theseare the 1997 African American Summit,the 1975 Black Child Development Insti-tute, the 1981 Black Women’s Summit, the1972 National Black Political Convention,and the 1997 Inter-Faith Alliance. The col-lection also contains Atkins’s personal cor-respondence, with the bulk of the lettersdated between 1990 and 2005. Includedare several items and documents ofHannah’s husband, Charles Atkins.

The OHS Research Division also has anoral interview with Hannah Atkins. A find-ing aid for the Hannah Atkins Collectionmay be viewed in the Research Division’sonline catalogue by visiting the HistoricalSociety’s web site at <www.okhistory.org>.The collection itself may also be accessedat the Oklahoma History Center in theJohn and Eleanor Kirkpatrick ResearchCenter.

OHS Places . . .Oklahoma Territorial Museum

406 East Oklahoma Ave.Guthrie, OK 73044Phone: 405/282-1889Hours: Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.Closed: Sun., Mon., and state holidays.

The Oklahoma Territorial Museum em-braces the history of the settlers whorushed to the newly opened land inOklahoma Territory on April 22, 1889, andestablished Guthrie in an afternoon. Be-fore that fateful day in 1889, Guthrie wasmerely a water stop along the SouthernKansas Railway (later the Atchison, To-peka and Santa Fe Railway). Settled byprogressive citizenry, Guthrie soon gainedprominence and served as the territorialcapital from 1889 to 1907 statehood andas the state capital from 1907 to 1910.

Located at 406 East Oklahoma Ave. inGuthrie, the facility covers approximately10,000 square feet divided between twofloors. The museum holds artifacts, photo-graphs, and paintings that portray thelives of those hopeful pioneers, who cameto establish homes, farms, and businesseson the open Oklahoma prairie. Exhibititems also relate to territorial government,transportation, education, and recreation.

In February 2009 a new exhibit entitledOpportunity Awaits: The African-AmericanExperience in Territorial Oklahoma wasdebuted. Currently placed outside the mu-seum entrance, the display examines thesettlement and influence of African Ameri-

cans before 1907 statehood. Sponsored bythe Friends of the Guthrie Museum Com-plex and made possible by grants from theNational Endowment for the Humanitiesand the Oklahoma Humanities Council,the exhibit will eventually be incorporatedinto the museum’s second-floor gallery.

Situated adjacent to the Oklahoma Ter-ritorial Museum, the Guthrie Carnegie Li-brary, built in 1901, is one of twenty-fourlibraries in Oklahoma that steel magnate

and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie pro-vided with grants for their construction. Ofhistorical significance, Oklahoma’s firstgovernor, Charles N. Haskell, was sworn-inon those library steps on statehood day,November 16, 1907. The Guthrie CarnegieLibrary is listed in the National Register ofHistoric Places (NR 71000666).

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Mr. and Mrs. John Robinson, OwassoDr. and Mrs. William B. Ross, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Clifton H. Scott TecumsehMr. and Mrs. Randy Segler, LawtonMr. and Mrs. Neil Stanfield, Oklahoma CityLillian P. Stinnett, GuthrieMrs. Karen Tuffly, KingstonJack L. Werner, Oklahoma City

Family*Jacqueline B. Acers, EdmondJean Adams, EdmondR. D. Allen, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Don Asbury, NormanMr. and Mrs. Wayne Bales, IndiahomaRobert Barbre, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Robert Baxter, SapulpaMr. and Mrs. Dennis Bertholf, StillwaterMr. and Mrs. David Boeck, NormanMr. and Mrs. Bruce Boehs, FairviewGerald E. Bradshaw, StillwaterCharles Brown & Nicole Brown, WagonerElaine Bryant & Michael Britton, Long Valley, NJMr. and Mrs. C. Lynn Bullard, Shady PointMr. and Mrs. Keith Carpenter, ShawneeJodi Cash, TulsaJeffrey Caughron, Oklahoma CityMickey L. Clagg, NormanMr. and Mrs. William A. Clark, PocolaMr. and Mrs. John Coates Jr., Oklahoma City*Dorothy Conley & John Conley, EdmondDr. and Mrs. Don Cooper, StillwaterA. Sam Coury, EdmondMr. and Mrs. Stanley Crawford, CaleraDrs. Ken and Leah Dick, LawtonMr. and Mrs. Jack Dowdy, EdmondMr. and Mrs. Norman Drake, MooreMr. and Mrs. Randy Dunn, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Bill Dupler, LawtonPaula Dzierzanowski, Broken ArrowMr. and Mrs. Dalton Earhart, McAlesterMr. and Mrs. Charles Effinger, HarrahMr. and Mrs. Larry Ferguson, ClevelandWayne J. Ferguson, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Barry Fitzsimmons, MooreMr. and Mrs. Dale L. Folger, StillwaterMr. and Mrs. Francis A. Foster, OkarcheCharles Gabriel, Plano, TXMr. and Mrs. James Garling, GuthrieDr. and Mrs. G. Bolar Garrison, Oklahoma CityCSM and Mrs. Clark Gasper, Fayetteville, NCMr. and Mrs. Del Gheen, EdmondMr. and Mrs. Ron Gibson, SapulpaMr. and Mrs. John Gooden, Oklahoma CityJudy Gorton, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Robert L. Green, The VillageGregg Griffin, Springfield, MOMr. and Mrs. Marion E. Hall, ClintonMr. and Mrs. Gary Haney, AdaJana K. Heddell, Reston, VAMr. and Mrs. William Hemann, EdmondMr. and Mrs. Robert G. Herod, TulsaMr. and Mrs. John Holladay, IdabelMr. and Mrs. Phillip L. Holloway, Oklahoma CityRobert L. Huff, Oklahoma CityLou Ann Hughes, Midwest CityMr. and Mrs. Lonnie J. Hutton, SparksMr. Niles Jackson & Ms. Barbara Thornton,

EdmondR. Don James, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Michael Jeffers, BlackwellMr. and Mrs. Rick Jeffries, RingwoodMr. and Mrs. Arthur Johnson, DrumrightMr. and Mrs. Carey Johnson, Jr., LawtonWilliam K. Jones, EdmondMr. and Mrs. John Kamp, Oklahoma CityDiane Karnuth, Broken ArrowMr. and Mrs. Jim Kinder, CarneyLois King, Oklahoma City*Robert King, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. John Kinslow, Lawton*Mr. and Mrs. Lance Larey, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Harold Lawson, YukonMr. and Mrs. Bill Layton, LawtonDr. and Mrs. Lowell Lehman, Tulsa

IndividualJo Ann N. Adams, EdmondMary Adams, InolaMary Lou Adams, Oklahoma CityLinda Agee, Pauls ValleyMaggie S. Anderson, TuskahomaConnie Andruss, NormanLoyd Ashenfelter, LawtonOwen D. Austin, TulsaMarlies Bailey, NormanW. David Baird, Malibu, CAJackie Baker, TishomingoJanice Barnett, TulsaVella B. Barnett, NormanMrs. Daryl Beadles, Oklahoma CityJimmie G. Benbrook, Gilbert, AZB. Lynn Benedict, Caledonia, MIZane Bergen, WeatherfordMarilyn S. Boevers, YukonBeulah Booker, CacheRoger Bowles, Wichita, KSEstella K. Bowman, DuncanSteve H. Bunch, PerryRoger P. Cantley, AltusFranklin R. Champlin, TulsaMichael Cockburn, Fort Smith, ARNancy Cody, AdaTonopah Colbert, Denver, COCathy D. Coleman, Anniston, ALBarbara Conaway, Crockett, TXRoberta Cooke, Redding, CAJudith M. Coughlin, NormanAlvin Covalt, WoodwardWilma Cox, NinnekahThomas H. Dale, Morro Bay, CANancy Davidson, AltusThelma Davies, AdaVernon Day, Oklahoma CityJacques DeLier, Oklahoma CityPic Dorris, MoundsDeloris East, EufaulaMary Eckles, EdmondKenneth Elkins, Oklahoma CityDorothy Endrizz, TulsaSidney A. Ewing, StillwaterJohn T. Farrar, New Harmony, INDoris Fitzgerald, Deer CreekJane Fitzgerald, DuncanArthur L. Fletcher, Oklahoma CitySue Forney, TulsaMr. and Mrs. John Frost, EdmondLoretta Fulton, Abilene, TXMary L. Gasser, TulsaLaura Glentzer, CollinsvilleCarol Glick, LawtonAllen E. Greer, Oklahoma CityBrickie Griffin, AtokaNancy Griffith, BlanchardShirley G. Hann, ArdmoreImogene Harbin, ChandlerJon Harris, Berkeley, CASusan Hill, Ponca CityV. Pauline Hodges, BeaverMarilea Hoffmann, Oklahoma CityA. C. Holden, DeweyRodney Horton, Oklahoma CityJoan W. Huffstetler, TulsaHarold John, SulphurKelly Johnston, Newtown Square, PAMary C. Kellogg, Colleyville, TXBetty R. Kemp, NormanHelen Kirk, Oklahoma CityDebra Kuppinger, OwassoRon La Spisa, NormanGreg Lampton, Oklahoma CityPenny Lane, ArdmorePeg Latham, Charlottesville, VAKaye Lee, VerdenEleanor M. Lewis, VinitaTerry Lokites, Silverdale, WACathleen Long, Marina Del Rey, CAEd Long, StillwaterWade N. Lyon, Oklahoma CityPhilip Maguire, Oklahoma CityLila E. McColgan, Ponca CityMargaret McKinnis, Oklahoma City

Dolores D. Leslie, LawtonJames Lewellen, Ponca CityLaRonda S. Limon, WagonerMary A. Lindemann, NormanMr. and Mrs. Bob L. Link, PiedmontMr. and Mrs. John A. Loewen, WaukomisMr. and Mrs. Dean Loshbaugh, TulsaBarbara L. Makovsky, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Richard E. Marshall, Oklahoma CityA. E. Martin, MustangDavid C. Martin & Julia A. Karlak, TulsaJulia A. Martin, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Massey, Oklahoma CityKaren S. Maxwell, MuldrowMr. and Mrs. Joe P. McAlister, NormanRuth E. McDown, EdmondMr. and Mrs. James McElroy, ArdmoreMr. and Mrs. Richard McEwen, PerryBarbara Melton & David Bale, NoblePatsy Miller, TulsaRick Moore, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Bill Neimann, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Oetken, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Fred D. Orr, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Phil Osterhout, DrumrightMr. and Mrs. Daniel Parks, WilburtonMr. and Mrs. David Parrack, TulsaEdward R. Patterson, Tulsa*Virginia Peters, EdmondMr. and Mrs. David Pierce, BlackwellDr. and Mrs. William Puffinbarger, Nichols HillsMr. and Mrs. Richard Rahn, Oklahoma CityMr. and Ms. Harlan Ramsey, HookerMr. and Mrs. Lorenz Ramseyer, DrummondMr. and Mrs. Ramon Rasure, EarlsboroVirginia L. Ratliff, Tulsa*Stephen E. Reagan, NormanMr. and Mrs. Sheldon M. Reznik, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Mike Rhodes, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Gary Richardson, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Allen Richter, BartlesvilleMr. and Mrs. John Richter, PerkinsMr. and Mrs. Phil Roberts, EdmondDr. and Mrs. Casey Robinson, YukonMr. and Mrs. James A. Rosacker, Oklahoma CityMr. and Mrs. Stanley Schickedanz, GageMr. and Mrs. Jerry Schmidt, EnidMr. and Mrs. Richard E. Schneider, Oklahoma CityBetty Shebester, WynnewoodDonna Shirley, TulsaMr. and Mrs. Bruce Smith, YukonMr. and Mrs. Bruce L. Smith, Oklahoma CityJoan Smith, NormanMr. and Mrs. Robert K. Smith, Ponca CityMr. and Mrs. Gary Snow, SeminoleMr. and Mrs. Richard Steed, NormanMr. and Mrs. Allan Stocker, BartlesvilleMr. and Mrs. Randy Stricklin, PragueDianna Swain, Midwest City*Mr. and Mrs. C. Gordon Swanson, Los Angeles, CAJeanine Thompson-Cloud, VinitaMr. and Mrs. William Tomlinson, Midwest CityRick Torrence, WeatherfordMr. and Mrs. Landis Trekell, AlvaMr. and Mrs. J. C. Vincent, EnidMr. and Mrs. Clyde Voyles, HarrahMr. and Mrs. William Waller, Virginia Beach, VADave Walters & Cindi Smith-Walters, Murfreesboro, TNVirginia E. Weinmann, Metairie, LAMr. and Mrs. Michael D. Whitehead, LocoMr. and Mrs. Carl Whitley, San Jose, CAMr. and Mrs. Clark Wiens, TulsaJerry D. Williams, AtokaDr. and Mrs. Michael L. Winzenread, EdmondHenry J. Wittrock, OkarcheMr. and Mrs. Greg Wolfe, CarneyMr. and Mrs. Carl Wright, TulsaWilliam Trent Yadon, Woodward

Emily C. McWilliams, Shreveport, LADana C. Miller, AdaMr. and Mrs. John M. Mock, AltusJohn O. Moffitt, Fort GibsonBetty L. Moore, Oklahoma CityKaren Morrow, Aledo, TXCharles Murphy, Oklahoma CityJoy Naifeh, SapulpaBarry Nicol, Oklahoma CityMarie Norris, TulsaJohn Oliver, Midwest CityCourtney Onderek-Black, EdmondCharlotte M. Ott, Oklahoma CityEd Parks, Charlotte, NCHelen K. Perry, Broken ArrowBruce Peterson, St. Stephen, MNNancy Pfeifer, TulsaPeggy Pierce, EdmondNancy Poteete, NormanHarold A. Pricer, Fairfield, CABernice Ransom, Oklahoma CityJerry J. Ransom, Greenville, TXSkyla Ratzlaff, Highmore, SDNiki Richardson, LindsayJames Rothrock, ChoctawJoseph Schwartz, JenksD. Fern Shelby, NormanMary G. Shroyer, Long Beach, CAVirginia Simms, YukonJuanita Sims, Oklahoma CityBillie D. Smith, Albuquerque, NMLeta M. Smith, AdaDannie E. Spiser, Oklahoma CityVirginia Stanley, PoteauRichard Stathem, TulsaScott Stone, Oklahoma CityKeith Terwort, AlvaHelen Thompson, ArdmoreLarry Thorne, AlvaTobie Titsworth, ClaremoreDebbie Trammell, Midwest CityRichard L. Trotter, Long Beach, CAJeannette Uhles, Broken ArrowDon Wagner, TulsaThomas H. Ward, TulsaMary A. Webster, TulsaGhita Williams, Oklahoma CityMurrel Wilmoth, Tulsa

InstitutionalConoco Museum, Ponca CityWayne Fallgatter, TulsaSallisaw Chamber of Commerce,

Sallisaw

New Members, Cont’d.

PERIODICALS

Oklahoma Historical Society2401 N. Laird AvenueOklahoma City, OK 73105-7914

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Vol. 40, No. 12 December 2009

David L. Walters, Eufaula, September 1, 1972Ada Public Library, Ada, October 1, 1972Arthur W. Salisbury, Tulsa, November 1, 1973C. E. Trousdale, Cleveland, November 14, 1974Kenneth Stern, Stillwater, September 1, 1979Bertie Mitchell, Oklahoma City, August 1, 1980Harvey & Kathryn Nye, Norman, November 1, 1980Darrel G. Walker, Konawa, October 1, 1981Dorothy and John Conley, Edmond, December 13, 1981Richard Mullins, Edmond, January 2, 1982George Selby, Oklahoma City, November 1, 1982Stanford University, Stanford, CA, November 2, 1982Lester Johnson, Stillwater, September 24, 1986Lois A. Turk, Bethany, October 2, 1986Harold and Ann Sinclair, Oklahoma City, October 6, 1986John and Marsha Greiner, Oklahoma City, October 10, 1986Charles P. Stuart, San Francisco, CA, October 15, 1986Pushmataha County Historical Society, Antlers,

October 15, 1986Bob D. Hammons, Sallisaw, October 20, 1986Francis Briscoe, Ardmore, October 20, 1986Jerry Koelsch, Locust Grove, October 20, 1986Alva Public Library, Alva, October 24, 1986Marjorie Couch, Oklahoma City, October 27, 1986Dr. E. Vann Greer, Oklahoma City, October 27, 1986L. J. and Belle Harris, Pryor, October 27, 1986Nancy Gee, Miami, October 28, 1986

Jack D. Welsh, MD, Oklahoma City, October 28, 1986John L. Lillibridge, Boiling Springs, PA, October 30, 1986Tim Morgan, Norman, November 4, 1986Sondra Morrison, Oklahoma City, November 4, 1986Violet Spinler, Winthrop, MN, November 4, 1986Lydia Spalding, Oklahoma City, November 4, 1986Betty Kemp, Norman, November 4, 1986Frank E. Heaston, Norman, November 4, 1986Fred Williams, Little Rock, AR, November 4, 1986David Huff, Killeen, TX, November 5, 1986Mary Lou Peterson, Wataga, IL, November 5, 1986David K. Petty, PC, Guymon, November 10, 1986Pat and Betta Ferry, Little Rock, AR, November 10, 1986Ruth Schreiner, Duncan, November 13, 1986David Lee, Centennial, CO, November 17, 1986Shirley Carter, Marietta, November 24, 1986Phillip Washburn, Guthrie, December 29, 1986James L. Mohon, Norman, January 1, 1987Steven and Dena Wagner, Houston, TX, October 26, 1987Robert L. Klemme, Enid, August 30, 1988Robert and Mary Haught, Reva, VA, September 13, 1988Sallie Rae Andrews, Decatur, TX, September 15, 1988Checotah Landmark Preservation Society, Checotah,

October 17, 1988Gene and Sharon Ratcliff, Edmond, November 8, 1988Rex George, Oklahoma City, June 20, 1989

Twenty-year members renewin October 2009

Listed below, with the date they joined the OHS, are people and organizations thathad been members for twenty or more years when they renewed their memberships inOctober. We sincerely appreciate their long-term loyalty!

Volunteers feted at banquetAmidst a glorious sunset behind the Capitol dome, the Oklahoma History Center

volunteer banquet was held Friday night, October 30. The festivities included a Hula-Hoop contest and a bubble-blowing contest, won by volunteer Joyce Keel.

Ed Gahl from Entertainment-to-Go provided an evening of 1950s and 1960s radiohits, including tunes by Oklahoma artists. The delicious dinner carried a “diner”theme. Table decorations included nostalgic candies and “real” sundaes.

From October 1, 2008, through September 30, 2009, the volunteers served 7,000hours, an amount of work that equaled the efforts of four full-time staff members. TheOHC volunteers are thosefriendly faces at the meet ’n’greet events and also serveas gallery hosts and as tourguides.

They also provide the staffwith support in education,collections, and exhibits inthe Oklahoma Museum ofHistory. They serve a collec-tive 600 hours each month,or approximately 62 hoursper volunteer.

Anyone who is interestedin the OHC Volunteer Ser-vices Program is encouragedto contact the volunteer of-fice at 405/522-0754 or tosend an inquiring e-mail to<rdavis@okhistory.org>.

Quilt block classes continue around the stateIn December the Pawnee Bill Ranch hosts the regular Quilt Block of the Month class

on December 8 in the museum conference room at 6:30 p.m. The fee is $5. New quiltprojects will be discussed for the upcoming year.

See page 5 for a photo of a quilt created by one of OHS Quilt block classes, at theSod House Museum in Aline.

InsideResults of OHS Kids! student art contest—page 1

Holiday events at OHS sites and museums around the state—page 4