100 Yr. Old Century Chest to be opened in 2013

Oklahoma History Center

Oklahoma City, OK

On April 22, 1913, a "Century Chest" was buried in the basement of the First English Lutheran Church (now the First Lutheran Church of Oklahoma City) at 1300 North Robinson. The ceremony was witnessed by a capacity crowd including Governor Lee Cruce and other notable Oklahoma residents. Through a century of dutiful vigilance the congregation of the First Lutheran Church has guarded the "Century Chest" in order that on April 22, 2013, the chest would be unearthed and the past

April 22, 2012 - 99th year pledge by church members to guard the "Century Chest" and unearth it in 2013.

would come alive.

The church has partnered with the Oklahoma Historical Society so the treasures of 1913 will be preserved and exhibited at the Oklahoma History Center. Contents of the chest include Indian relics donated by Oklahoma's Native American tribes, a quilt stitched with the names of over 700 Oklahoma citizens, newspapers, photographs, paintings, books, poetry, and more than 40 messages from clubs and organizations in 1913 to their counterparts in 2013. In addition, the chest contains other 1913 period items, including a Kodak camera, phonograph, telephone, coins, clothing, the pen with which President McKinley signed the free homes bill for Oklahoma, and a poster advertising the first 4th of July celebration ever held in Oklahoma City.

The First Lutheran Church of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Historical Society hope all Oklahomans will take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience as the voices, messages, and artifacts preserved within the "Century Chest" are shared with a new generation of Oklahomans. Three events are in the planning stages. An unearthing ceremony at the First Lutheran Church of Oklahoma City, a special live opening of the chest at the Oklahoma History Center, and, later, a major exhibit at the History Center revealing all of the historic treasures recovered from the "Century Chest." For more information please e-mail centurychest@okhistory.org or call (405)522-5207. You may also follow the countdown clock on the web page the church has devoted to the project.

Spring Encampment 

April 27-28, 2012

Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson

Friday is Education Day, especially for area students.  Admission is free.  Students can experience the lives of soldiers and civilians in Fort Gibson from 1824 to 1890.  There will also be military presentations, crafts, games and pasttimes.

Newly planted Officers' garden at Fort Gibson.

Listed below is the Saturday schedule for the Log Fort portion of the Spring Encampment.  There will be activities at the top of the hill, too. The bakehouse will be in full operation and Civil War re-enactors will be on site.

6:00am - Revielle

7:00am - Breakfast

8:00am - Garden / Kitchen Detail

9:45am - Open To Public

10:30am - Morning Formation / Colors / Guard Mount

11:30am - Recall Guard

12:00pm - Dinner

1:30pm - Garden / Kitchen Detail

2:30pm - Drill

5:00pm - Dress Parade / Evening Colors

For more information please call (918)478-4088. 

Oklahoma National History Day

May 2-3, 2012

Oklahoma History Center

Oklahoma City, OK

In just a few days students from across the state will converge on the Oklahoma History Center for this year's annual National History Day (NHD) contest. Students have made their way through district contests at universities statewide to participate in the annual event before progressing on to the national contest in June.

History Day is an exceptional program that encourages students to explore a historical subject related to an annual theme. Student's research leads to imaginative exhibits, original performances, unique documentaries, websites, and historical papers to tell the human story. Participation in this project enables students to develop the skills historians use. Students become engaged and have fun with NHD because they choose a topic they want to learn about.

NHD was awarded the prestigious 2011 National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony on February 13th for being "a program that inspires in American students a passion for history." The National Humanities medals honor achievements in history, literature, education, and cultural policy. For the first time ever, a K-12 education program received the National Humanities Medal.