On Sunday, February 9, the Oklahoma History Center will host a special opening of the newly renovated Kerr-McGee Gallery for OHS members from 2 to 4 p.m. The gallery features new expanded exhibits with major updates and all new content and artifacts. Included are exhibits on the steamboat Heroine, the African American experience in Oklahoma, Oklahoma military history, and the oil and gas industry.

On May 6, 1838, a steamboat called Heroine was traveling up the Red River to deliver supplies to Fort Towson in what is now Choctaw County in southeast Oklahoma when it struck a submerged log and sank. Pieces of the ship and some of its contents have been collected and are now on display, 175 years later. Interactive touchscreens, hands-on elements, reconstructed machinery, and excavated artifacts tell the story of the earliest steamboat to be recovered and studied by archaeologists. Visitors will not only get a glimpse of life during this formative period in US history, but also will experience the mystery of the Heroine and how its story was brought to light through archaeological evidence and historical research.

The African American experience is a unique story in Oklahoma. This recently updated exhibit, Realizing the Dream, highlights twelve aspects of this story and features information about extraordinary individuals and prese

Power to Grow: The History of Oil and Gas in Oklahoma focuses on the history of the industry in the state from World War II to the present. This era has featured dramatic technological advances, bold innovations, and dynamic individuals and companies willing to take risks. Major aspects of the industry, such as finding, producing, refining and processing, transporting, and distribution, are featured. The histories of important companies, industry leaders, and the people who perform a wide range of jobs are told. The exhibit also highlights the remarkable legacy of the industry, including jobs, tax revenues, philanthropy, and landmarks.

The military exhibit illustrates the US armed forces from the 1830s to the present, the history of non-commissioned officers, and how some military weapons work. Also included are accurate replicas of Civil War-era artillery ammunition crates and artifacts relating to artillery. Two portions are devoted to Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell and the capture of Saddam Hussein. More changes are planned for this exhibit, such as a World War I interactive that will include a replica trench and hands-on items that will demonstrate the loading and firing procedure for flintlock and Civil War-era muskets.

The opening on February 9 is a special event for OHS members only. To inquire about memberships, contact the OHS Membership Office at (405) 522-5242 or ohsmembers@okhistory.org.

The Oklahoma Historical Society (aka the wonderful and talented OHS webmaster Jennifer Towry) has created a new website for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP). The web address is www.okpop.org. The site features information about the proposed museum, including location, operations, content and collections. Visitors will be able to contribute collections to the museum, participate in programs and learn about hundreds of Oklahomans who have impacted popular culture, both nationally and internationally.

Stories featured in the museum will include movies, radio, television, illustration, literature, theater, Wild West Shows and Route 66-all connected to a sense of time and place through the language of music. The website will share these stories and keep visitors updated on OKPOP progress, press and events. 

When constructed, the OKPOP will be a 75,000-square-foot, four-story building dedicated to the creative spirit of Oklahoma's people and the influence of Oklahoma artists on popular culture around the world. Pending approval from the Oklahoma Legislature, the OKPOP Museum could open as early as 2018.

For more information, visit http://www.okpop.org or contact Nicole Harvey at 405-522-5202.

Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
The OHS will be hosting a screening of the Emmy-nominated documentary, The Loving Story, in conjunction with an initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History titled: Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle. There is no age requirement but parental guidance is suggested. The event runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and registration is not required. The event is free and registration is not required.

Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Join a local scholar as they discuss the Oklahoma History Center's newly renovated exhibit, Realizing the Dream, and Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher's role in Civil Rights law from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on February 15. There is no age requirement but parental guidance is suggested. The event is free and registration is required.  

Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
The OHS will be hosting a panel discussion on Civil Rights and the Constitution featuring local scholars February 20 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The discussion will feature clips from four documentaries that are a part of an initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History titled: Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle. There is no age requirement but parental guidance is suggested. The event is free and registration is not required.  

Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Join the Oklahoma History Center Thursday, February 27, for an interpretive school program for Black History Month! Elementary students are invited to attend this onetime special performance at 10:30 a.m. at the History Center. Bessie Coleman was the first African-American woman to become a licensed pilot. Born in Texas, Coleman attended Langston University in Oklahoma and had deep Oklahoma roots. Registration is required for student groups. This program is sponsored in part by SONIC, America's Drive-In.  

February 27-28, 2014
Join the Oklahoma History Center for Sojourner Truth Live! Born a slave, Sojourner Truth was a preacher, suffragist, abolitionist, and more. With an emphasis on her most famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman," this program will introduce the audience to a variety of aspects through historical interpretation. Thursday the museum will open at 6 p.m. with the performance beginning at 7 p.m. Friday afternoon the museum will host an afternoon matinee at 2:30 p.m. In addition, the museum will host a special student program Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. This program is designed for 8th-12th grade students and registration is required for all programs.  This program is sponsored in part by SONIC, America's Drive-In.

For more information or to make reservations (when required) to any of the events please call (405) 522-3602 or email education@okhistory.org