December 3, 2015
Oklahoma Civilian Conservation Corp Film Restored
The Oklahoma Historical Society announces the release of a recently restored, rare 16mm film of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Heavener, Okla., shot during the 1930s. The film had decayed to such a state that it could not be projected because of curling and brittleness. Through a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation, the Oklahoma Historical Society was able to send the film to Colorlab in Rockville, Md., for the tedious restoration.
 
The Civilian Conservation Corps, known as the CCC, was created by Congress on March 31, 1933, as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs to help relieve economic and humanitarian distress. Young men who were unmarried, U.S. citizens, and between the ages of 18 and 25 were eligible for the program. Of their monthly $30 salary, $25 was sent home to assist their families during the Great Depression.
 
In 1934 Oklahoma had 5,000 young men working in 26 camps across the state. The Heavener, Okla., Company 810 CCC group started operations May 24, 1933, in LeFlore County in east-central Oklahoma. This CCC group was physically headquartered in Stapp, Okla., at Camp Prater. They built roads, installed telephone lines, and built Cedar Lake.
 
This is the first and only film known of the CCC in Oklahoma. Within the movie are scenes of life at the camp. Individual sections include: Mess Hall, Forest Service Office, Kitchen and Men Working with their Tools and Trucks. It is a silent film, but has scene titles within the program to identify the action. The film can be viewed here.
Christmas in the Village
Friday, December 4, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center | Enid, OK
Tickets are now on sale for the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center's community event, Christmas in the Village, sponsored by Humphrey Abstract Co. This holiday favorite will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Heritage Center's Humphrey Heritage Village. Tickets are $5 with free admission for CSRHC members. As a convenience, there will be an express entrance for ticket holders to expedite entrance into the Village. 

Families will enjoy tours of the historic buildings decorated in holiday splendor, crafts for the kids and the raised voices of children's choirs singing in the Village Church. Guests are invited to indulge in delicious homemade treats and sip on cider while visiting with Santa. The general store has a fine selection of unique gifts to offer for those special ones on your Christmas list.

As a special treat, a select group of Santas of the World historical characters will pay a visit for Christmas in the Village. This Oklahoma Historical Society program consists of several individuals who have researched stories about gift bringers from around the world in a historical context Each Santa presents his or her story related to the Christmas celebration. Each Santa is dressed as authentically as possible. Some are from the country of origin of the Santas they have chosen to portray; all of them have a great story to tell.

Group tours of Christmas in the Village are also available through the 19th of December. Tours include entertainment, a keepsake ornament and refreshments. Call today for ticket information and to schedule your group tour at 580-237-1907 x 227.

For more information on the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center or Humphrey Abstract's Christmas in the Village, please visit the website at www.csrhc.org or call 580-237-1907.
"Let's Talk About It, Oklahoma!" Book Discussion
Saturday, December 5, at 10 a.m.
Pioneer Woman Museum | Ponca City, OK
Pioneer Woman Museum Banner "Let's Talk About It, Oklahoma!" is designed to encourage adults to read and discuss literature based around a central theme. The series at the Pioneer Woman Museum will have a baseball theme. The book group takes place from 10 a.m. to noon and will meet once monthly, August through December. It is open to the public, free to attend, and intended for adults ages eighteen and up. Those interested in participating in the program must sign up through the museum. Participants will check out the assigned book title and return it on the day of the discussion.

The book for Saturday, December 5 is "Wait Till Next Year" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Please call 580-765-6108 for more information.
Oklahoma History Center

DONATE NOW   Now you can donate online!

 

Development Department

Oklahoma Historical Society

800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive

Oklahoma City, OK  73105

The OHS Annual Giving Campaign is off and running. Our goal by June 30, 2016 is $200,000.  Help us exceed our goal by donating today.
OHS EVENTS

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center:
Gateway to OK History

Visitor Info  
From the Encyclopedia...

Hopefully you are done with all of your leftover turkey from Thanksgiving!  Learn about the poultry industry in Oklahoma with this entry.

Nicole Harvey, Editor

nharvey@okhistory.org
(405) 522-5202