Mistletoe Leaves, May/June 2026, Vol. 57, No. 3

The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma History Center Museum will open the exhibit The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma on Saturday, May 23, as Route 66 nears its centennial in 2026. The exhibit explores how Oklahoma’s 400plus miles of drivable highway shaped communities along the route and continues to draw travelers today.

Route 66 was created in 1926 and quickly became one of the most consequential roads in American history. For Oklahomans, it was an escape route during the Dust Bowl, an economic lifeline for roadside communities, and eventually a casualty of the interstate system. The Longest Stretch traces that full arc, from the road’s rise to its decline, and into its revival through preservation and tourism.

Major artifacts on display include a 1915 Model T Roadster, a restored Taft Stadium sign, a Big Boy statue, and a 1961 Corvette on loan from the National Corvette Museum. Hands-on interactives invite visitors to engage directly with the story of Route 66 and its evolution over the last 100 years.

“We wanted to create an exhibit that brings Route 66 to life while encouraging people to go out and experience it firsthand,” said Nicole Harvey, director of the Oklahoma History Center Museum. “Visitors can explore the road’s history through artifacts and interactives, then take that experience with them onto Oklahoma’s stretch of the highway.”

The exhibit also highlights the creative ways that communities across Oklahoma are actively reimagining Route 66 as its 100th anniversary approaches.

The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma opens May 23, supported by the Inasmuch Foundation and the Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation, and will be on view through 2027. Plan your visit and discover more at okhistory. org/historycenter.

Route 66 resources

A new landing page has been developed at okhistory.org that is full of Route 66 resources to help users keep up to date with the upcoming events and exhibits celebrating the legendary Mother Road. Through a rich collection of online treasures, from interesting archives and podcasts to detailed publications and educational tools, you can explore Route 66’s unique role in Oklahoma’s history. Immerse yourself in captivating stories, relive the past through vintage videos, and find your inspirations by visiting the iconic landmarks that dot this iconic highway.

Experience the thrill of more than 400 miles of Route 66 winding through Oklahoma. Head to the Travel Oklahoma website at travelok.com to learn about all of the charming towns, classic roadside diners, and quirky attractions along the nation’s longest drivable stretch of Route 66.

The Oklahoma History Symposium will be held on Saturday, May 2, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Presented by the Oklahoma Historical Society, the symposium is a one-day event encompassing a range of historical topics pertaining to Oklahoma. It provides a venue for scholars, students, educators, public history professionals, and the interested public from across the state and region to share their work and interests with others. Visit okhistory.org/symposium to view the full schedule of speakers, presentations, and other details.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mistletoe Leaves, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917.

By authorization of the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) Board of Directors, 3,600 copies are prepared at a cost of $1,303.00 bimonthly. The publication is financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.

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

Mistletoe Leaves is published for the members and friends of the OHS in partial fulfillment of its mission to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people.

Students and teachers are invited to share studies and programs and to duplicate content as desired. Editors are welcome to reprint materials with credit.

All Oklahoma Historical Society facilities are for the education and enjoyment of all. State and federal regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination in state and federallyassisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, and/or handicap.

Anyone denied benefits should contact the grievance manager of the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917, telephone 405-8377631 and/or the director, Office of Equal Opportunity, United States Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

By Trait Thompson

My father-in-law, David McCord, was a genuinely good man. He grew up in Oklahoma City, the son of working-class parents, and graduated from Putnam City High School in 1969. About a year ago, he was looking through his high school yearbook and spotted a classmate’s photo he knew I would recognize. He took a photo with his phone and texted it to me. It was Bob Blackburn.

I got to know David when I started dating his daughter in 2004. Late in the year, I decided I really wanted to marry her. I called him and asked if I could come to Oklahoma City and have lunch with him. I asked his permission to marry Sara, and he didn’t hesitate with his approval. And then he asked me if I wanted to order some pie. He was definitely a man after my own heart. David was a business owner in Oklahoma City. He founded McCord Testing Equipment and provided equipment to mud engineers in the oil field. He was old school. He worked off handshake deals, and his customers knew they could count on him day or night. He never built a website for the business. If he knew you, whether you were the UPS driver who delivered packages to the office or the restaurant owner down the street, he considered you as family.

When I became director of the Oklahoma Historical Society in 2021, I think David was the proudest person in Oklahoma. He was a big history buff, and he loved museums. He would come over to the Oklahoma History Center from time to time, and he really enjoyed sending visiting family members or friends there. If I happened to be interviewed in the newspaper or on television, he would be sure to inform his customers who came in that day and anyone else who might cross his path.

Despite his success in business, David was not known for big, flashy purchases or exotic vacations. A couple of years ago, he allowed himself one big purchase: a black 1967 Pontiac GTO. It was like the one he had in high school. He loved the rev of the engine and how the car felt as he cruised through Oklahoma City with the windows down. Known as one of the most beautiful muscle cars of all time, the ‘67 GTO turned heads wherever it went.

David tragically passed away from an illness last September. As the family processed his loss, my sister-in-law, Amy McCord, decided she wanted to keep the GTO because it meant so much to him. Knowing we were in between classic cars for the display window at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, I asked Amy if she would consider loaning it to the OHS. She heartily agreed.

My father-in-law’s GTO is proudly on display in Clinton through August. We know he would be so happy that Route 66 travelers from all over the world are enjoying his prized possession during the Mother Road’s centennial year. If you happen to make it out to the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, you’ll know the story behind the muscle car in the window and the man whose life touched so many others.

1967 Pontiac GTO on display

David McCord’s 1967 Pontiac GTO is currently on exhibit at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton.

The 1967 Pontiac GTO stands out as an iconic muscle car, with its daring split grille, eye-catching chain linkstyle inserts, stacked headlights, stylish rear lamps, and unmistakable sculpted body lines.

Under the hood, the standard 400-cubic-inch engine with a four-barrel carburetor roared to life, while thrillseekers could opt for a high-output version boasting 360 horsepower.

Plan your next visit to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, which is a key part of this year’s Route 66 centennial celebration, featuring exhibits and stories about the nation’s most revered highway, while this classic car reminds visitors of a time when driving the open road was all about style.

Joe L. Todd Collection

Joe Lee Todd was born in Bartlesville on September 28, 1946. From 1964 to 1966, he studied at Oklahoma State University. He went on to finish his bachelor’s degree in anthropology at the University of Oklahoma in 1973.

During the Vietnam War, Todd served as a helicopter crew chief and mechanic with the First Air Cavalry Division, participating in the Battle of Huế, the bloodiest battle of the conflict. For his wartime bravery, he received several honors, including the Air Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Afterward, Todd served in the Oklahoma National Guard from 1972 to 1978, then continued his service in the Texas National Guard until 1982.

While serving in the military, he became interested in the museum field and began working at several museums. Todd started his museum career as a curator at the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) from 1971 to 1976. In September 1976, he took on the role of curator at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City. He later served as curator of the First Cavalry Division Museum in Fort Hood, Texas, before becoming the oral historian at the OHS in October 1982. Many of his interviewees were war veterans or their descendants. After retiring from the OHS, Todd continues to interview veterans and donates these interviews to both the OHS and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library.

The Joe L. Todd Collection preserves hundreds of interviews he recorded and transcribed, which include photos of interviewees from the day of the conversation and images from their military service. He interviews subjects from all eras of the military, as well as descendants, family members affected by war, and others involved with the military. Some of Todd’s most popular interviews were conducted while at the OHS. For example, his interview with Jake McNeice, whose unit inspired the movie The Dirty Dozen, is the most popular video on the OHS oral history YouTube page. He also interviewed Patty Kelly, a prisoner of war in the Philippines during World War II.

The oral history department is currently working to upload the remainder of the Joe L. Todd Collection to YouTube. To explore his interviews, visit okhistory.org/toddplaylist. To access the complete selection of more than 7,500 recorded interviews available on the OHS Audio Archives channel, visit youtube.com/@OHSAudioArchives.

Preservation in progress at multiple OHS sites

lished in 1824, once protected the country’s western border and played a role in westward expansion. In the past, repairs to the stone barracks were limited by funding, but the NPS grant now covers essential stabilization. Restoring the barracks will help OHS share this history with future generations. The $46 million Legacy Capital Fund, approved by state lawmakers in 2022, will match the grant dollar-for-dollar. Work on the adjutant’s building will start later this spring.

to give the home’s staff time to safely store its original furnishings, artwork, and artifacts from areas under renovation. Thanks to LCF funding, the Heritage Hills home will get new windows, a restored roof and foundation, and leveled, re-poured porches. For the first time in decades, the historic interior will be restored, including cleaning the canvas walls, fixing ceilings, and rewiring and restoring the original light fixtures.

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is using a National Park Service (NPS) grant and Legacy Capital Fund (LCF) resources to improve sites in Logan, Muskogee, Pawnee, and Oklahoma counties.

In 2023, the Fort Gibson Historic Site received a $750,000 grant from the National Park Service. Work has started on the historic barracks, with major repairs inside and out. This is the only project in Oklahoma to get Save America’s Treasures grant funding from the NPS. Fort Gibson, estab-

The Carnegie Library, built in 1902 with a grant from the Carnegie Foundation, was the site of statehood ceremonies in 1907. Now, the 124-year-old building is finally getting its roof repaired. As of this publication, both the Carnegie Library and the Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie are undergoing updates. The museum’s restrooms are also set to be renovated by the end of the summer.

The Henry and Anna Overholser Mansion is temporarily closed for renovations and

Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, once home to Wild West Show entertainer Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie, welcomes visitors to its 500-acre grounds, original blacksmith shop, 1903 log cabin, 1926 barn, and the Indian Flower Shrine. But visitors should know, the historic mansion on Blue Hawk Peak, where May and Bill Lillie once lived, is closed, currently being restored. New restrooms will be added throughout the site, and the museum will have a larger store and updated gallery space. The picnic pavilion will also get new lighting and an outdoor kitchen.

11 History OffCenter: Pops Weird Soda Cocktail & Collage Night, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

OHS Calendar of Events

May

1 Tour de Quartz exhibit opens, Museum of the Western Prairie, Altus

1 Oklahoma Historical Society Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

2 Milestones in Oklahoma History: The Oklahoma History Symposium, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

2 Oklahoma Historical Society Membership Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

16 “Arkansas Volunteers: the ‘Casual’ Soldiers and Regular Infantry at Fort Gibson,” Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson

16 Storytime at the Carnegie Library, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie

2 Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors Organizational Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

2 Storytime at the Carnegie Library, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie

2 History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid

2 “Arkansas Volunteers: the ‘Casual’ Soldiers and Regular Infantry at Fort Gibson,” Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson

2 Will Rogers Stand-up Comedy Show, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

3 Picnic in the Village, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid

4 Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act webinar, State Historic Preservation Office

5 National Register of Historic Places Overview webinar, State Historic Preservation Office

6 The Historic Preservation Tax Credit: “50 years and now it’s your turn” webinar, State Historic Preservation Office

6–7 Oklahoma National History Day State Contest, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

8 Kumback Lunch exhibit opens, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry

9 “Arkansas Volunteers: the ‘Casual’ Soldiers and Regular Infantry at Fort Gibson,” Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson

16 Sabers and Shotguns: Civil War Cavalry in Indian Territory, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah

16 History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid

19 Spring Semester Homeschool Day, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

20 Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

22 Movie Night featuring A League of Their Own (1992), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

22 Night Tour at Fort Towson, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson

23 The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma exhibit opens, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

13 Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show, Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Pawnee

13 OkieTales Storytime, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

15–17 Will’s Wild West Kids Camp, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

17 Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee Meeting, Oklahoma History Center

18 Summer Sounds Concert Series with Travis Kidd, The Chisholm, Kingfisher

20 OkieTales Storytime, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

20 History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid

22 2026 Hemmings Great Race at Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

26 “Slice of History” Made by US partner event, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

26 Movie Night featuring A Connecticut Yankee (1931), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

27 OkieTales Storytime, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

23 2026 AANHPI Collective History Day and Asian Annual Festival, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

28 Art of the Wish exhibit closes, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid

15 History OffCenter: The Green Book: Guide to Freedom screening and discussion, Frenzy Brewing, Edmond

30 Aces and Actors: Will Rogers’ Famous Friends exhibit closes, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

30 Dutch Oven Gathering, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson

30 Blacksmithing Demonstrations, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry

June

1 Summer Activities at the Oklahoma History Center begin, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

2 Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

3 Vintage Snack Sets exhibit opens, Fred and Addie Drummond Home, Hominy

6 History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid

10 Lunch and Learn: “How to Use The Gateway to Research Your Historic Property” with Chad Williams webinar, State Historic Preservation Office

27 Blacksmithing Demonstrations, Cherokee Strip Museum and Rose Hill School, Perry

30 Vintage Snack Sets exhibit closes, Fred and Addie Drummond Home, Hominy

30 Tour de Quartz exhibit closes, Museum of the Western Prairie, Altus

30 Summer Activities at the Oklahoma History Center conclude, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

Family wins #ExploreOHS contest prize

Congratulations to the Isaacs family, who won the 2026 #ExploreOHS Travel Contest! They visited seven OHS museums and historic sites during the month of March, and entered the contest by sharing their photos on social media. As their prize, the Issacs have chosen a behind-thescenes tour of the OKPOP Museum in Tulsa, along with some OHS swag for winning the 2026 contest.

Framing the Future with UCO students

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) reached over 585,000 students, educators, history enthusiasts, and learners of all ages last year, but the circle is continuing to widen.

This past spring, OHS collaborated with graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) to create an engaging and useful project. In a collaboration between organizations, the on-site museum workshops have given students multiple hands-on learning experiences, including unframing artwork, thanks to the generous donation of the Shepherd Sisters’ Collection in 2025.

The graduate and undergraduate students are all part of UCO’s programs in the arts and museum studies—a branch of the Department of History and Geography.

Through their work with the significant art collection from a pioneering Oklahoma City family, the students have gained firsthand knowledge of the process of numbering, accessioning, cataloging, recording conditions, and housing artifacts. This will prepare them for roles in museums, cultural centers, and archives.

“Processing over 300 pieces of art from the Shepherd Collection was a daunting task, stated Karen Whitecotton. “This student project has been the greatest gift; both fulfilling the wish of our donor, and creating a tangible way for us to carry on the mission of the OHS.”

The students abide by the collection area rules of no food or drink, don gloves to handle the artwork, and experience the life of a registrar, learning about conservation and care in real time. Students have been learning directly from the collections expertise of the OHS Director of Museum Collections Jennifer Atwood, and Karen Whitecotton, who was previously the curator of Native American collections at OHS, before assuming the mantle of deputy director.

The partnership began with a conversation between Whitecotton and OHS Board Member and UCO Professor Patti Loughlin, who shared a similar interest in teaching the

museum studies students the importance of caring for museum collections.

For Atwood, it has been enjoyable to see the students immersed in the processes of a working museum, teaching the next generation of archivists, conservators, registrars, and curators the current trends and practices.

New items are always arriving in the OHS collections. With over 199,529 artifacts to preserve and care for, the collaboration with students has benefited that effort.

Summer Sounds Concert series returns

The Summer Sounds Concert Series is back at The Chisholm in Kingfisher, bringing lively music and great energy to your summer nights. It’s hard to believe this family-friendly event is free, especially with such talented performers taking the stage each month starting in June.

On Thursday, June 18, Tulsa’s Travis Kidd will kick things off with his mix of classic and southern rock, country, blues, and folk music. In July, Kingfisher will host renowned violinist Kyle Dillingham. Later, country artist Mackynsie McKedy will perform on the steps of the A. J. Seay Mansion in August.

Let the rhythm of summer evenings carry you away as live music fills the open air. After work, wander over to Horizon Hill across from The Chisholm and indulge in dinner or a sweet treat from a featured food truck starting at 6 p.m. Spread out your favorite blanket, sink into a comfy lawn chair, and let the melodies wash over you from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the storied home of territorial governor A. J. Seay. For more information, contact the museum at 405-375-5176.

The Chronicles of Oklahoma for sale at Full Circle Bookstore

The Chronicles of Oklahoma is now available for purchase at Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City. Full Circle is the largest, independent, locally owned general-interest bookstore in the state, with 60,000 titles of every genre in stock.

This initiative, led by The Chronicles Editor Anna Davis and Membership Officer Tory Tedder-Loffland, seeks to expand the publication’s availability by partnering with neighborhood bookstores. Full Circle is selling all four issues of Volume CIII—last year’s complete set of the journal.

“This is a great way to promote The Chronicles, which is the official journal of the OHS, and it continues to encourage past, present, and future members to stay engaged with our mission,” stated TedderLoffland.

Whether you are completing your collection, revisiting past issues, or purchasing copies as a contributing author, this project makes these options accessible to you.

As always, back issues of The Chronicles can be purchased from the Oklahoma History Center Museum Store. For more information, or to suggest another local bookseller, contact anna.davis @history.ok.gov.

Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show rides again

Each June, the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum comes alive to celebrate Major Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie, his trailblazing wife May, and their legendary Wild West show. This year, the excitement returns to the historic ranch on Saturday, June 13, with Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show.

Stagcoaches hurtle across the arena, horses’ hooves pound the earth, and gunfire echoes through the air as Pawnee Bill, May, and their talented troupe dazzle the crowd with heart-pounding feats. This year’s theme, “The Best of Pawnee Bill,” revives the most iconic acts from the original Wild West show. Show directors weave together drama, storytelling, and authentic history for a show that feels true to its roots.

On show day, the museum welcomes visitors from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. All around the ranch, guests can step back in time with lively blacksmithing displays, daring gunfighters, expert sharpshooters, captivating medicine man acts, and performances by magicians and musicians. The festivities fill the day with excitement until the arena preshow kicks off at 7 p.m.

The Pawnee Bill Ranch was once the showplace of the world-renowned Wild

West show entertainer. Visitors can explore the museum’s exhibits on Pawnee Bill, Wild West shows, and the Pawnee Nation. The 500-acre grounds include the original ranch blacksmith shop, a 1903 log cabin, a large barn built in 1926, and an Indian Flower Shrine—all available to the public.

The mansion is temporarily closed to visitors due to improvements currently underway at the site.

Sabers and Shotguns: Civil War Cavalry in Indian Territory

On Saturday, May 16, at 10:30 a.m., Honey Springs Battlefield will host an active demonstration of the sabers and shotguns used in the Civil War cavalry in Indian Territory.

Thousands of Union and Confederate troops rode during the war in Indian Territory. Well-outfitted Union cavalry carried saber and carbine, while sparsely outfitted Confederate tribal cavalry wielded shotguns. Both groups struck fear in battle and guerrilla warfare alike. The program will highlight their arms, equipment, saddles, and tack, along with the most important weapon, the horse. Discover how these mounted soldiers shaped the war in Indian Territory. Cody Faber of Fort Smith National Historic Site will present this program.

For more information regarding programming at Honey Springs Battlefield, call 918-617-7125. You can also email honeysprings@history. ok.gov.

2026 Hemmings Great Race making a stop at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum

This summer, the 2026 Hemmings Great Race—a renowned endurance rally for antique, vintage, and collector cars— will include the Will Rogers Memorial Museum as a key stop along its route.

The Hemmings Great Race, presented by Coker Tire, is a nine-day, 2,300-mile classic car rally featuring 120 antique automobiles. The event visits 17 cities along a new route each year, including a stop in Claremore, Oklahoma, on Monday, June 22.

In 2026, the Great Race will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road with a Route 66-themed event. It starts in Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday, June 20, and ends in Pasadena, California, on Sunday, June 28, passing through many historic towns and attractions along the way. Each free public stop offers several hours for spectators to view the cars and interact with participants. While in Claremore, the drivers will stop for lunch at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, paying tribute to its location on Route 66.

“When the Great Race pulls into a city, it becomes an instant festival,” says Houston Gibson, Great Race coordinator. He continued, “Last year, many of our overnight stops drew exceptionally large crowds, with spectators lining the streets to welcome the Great Race! Across the entire event, thousands of people experienced the excitement firsthand. Our traveling entourage alone includes several hundred racers, support, and staff.”

Teams and cars from Japan, England, Australia, Canada, and across the United States participate in the annual event, often considered a “bucket list” item for car enthusiasts, especially in 2026, with Route 66 as the backdrop.

The 2026 Hemmings Great Race presented by Coker Tire has been officially recognized as a Route 66 Centennial Event in partnership with the US Route 66 Centennial Commission. From neon-lit main streets to roadside diners, the 2026 event will showcase the charm and character that has made Route 66 a symbol of the American spirit for nearly a century. For more information, go to greatrace. com, or visit the Great Race Facebook page.

National Preservation Month follows “Built to Endure” theme

by Lynda Ozan

May is Preservation Month, dedicated to recognizing and promoting the importance of historic places. It reminds us of the ongoing work needed to protect them. This year’s theme, “Built to Endure,” highlights several major historic preservation anniversaries: 50 years of the federal tax incentives program, 60 years of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 100 years of Route 66, and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Each milestone is a story of resilience. All have faced hardships, yet they endure. For half a century, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program has been a cornerstone of preservation and community revitalization in Oklahoma. In its early years, buildings such as the Mincks Adams Hotel in Tulsa and the Victor Block in Guthrie benefited from the program. More recently, vacant schools from Oklahoma City to Oakland have been rehabilitated for housing. Commercial buildings from Sapulpa to Enid have been transformed into multi-use spaces. Businesses along Route 66 have been brought back to life. For 50 years, this program has helped give buildings across Oklahoma a new purpose while maintaining their historic character.

For 60 years, the NHPA has guided efforts to save places of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy significance. These values are detailed in its powerful preamble. The NHPA created State Historic Preservation Offices and the programs they oversee. They reach across the country, into US territories, and within tribal nations. Because of this landmark legislation, tens of thousands of historic structures have been preserved. Archaeological sites have been identified. Millions of jobs have been created, and billions of dollars have been added to the national economy. Oklahoma alone has more than 1,430 listings in the National Register of Historic Places. They represent all 77 counties in the state.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66. This is true in Oklahoma and across the entire length of the highway. Stretching roughly 2,448 miles from Illinois to California, Route 66 has a long, iconic segment crossing Oklahoma. The Mother Road is already seeing renewed atten tion. Bridges have been restored. His toric buildings have been rehabilitated. Tourists are returning to experience the state’s most celebrated historic corridor.

The United States will mark its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, commemorating two and a half centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This national milestone underscores the importance of preserving sites linked to our country’s founding and development.

As we celebrate these major preservation milestones, we are reminded that our commitment to preserving historic places is built to endure. The places we inherit are more than buildings; they shape our identity and enrich our communities. By standing together to safeguard these landmarks, whether grand or humble, we honor the resilience of our shared history and ensure that future generations can learn from, connect with, and be inspired by the stories written in our built environment.

Oklahoma Historical Society

800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive

Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917

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Mistletoe Leaves

Vol. 57, No. 3

Fort Towson Night Tour

May/June 2026

Newly appointed director of the Fort Towson Historic Site, David Reed, and OHS Board Member Kenny Sivard are historians at heart. They know the history of the Fort Towson site well, making them ideal hosts for another round of Fort Towson Night Tours, set for late spring at the Fort Towson Historic Site.

Experience history on Friday, May 22, at 8:30 p.m. with a one-hour guided night tour at Fort Towson Historic Site. The historians will lead you along the parade ground and through the fort’s ruins, sharing stories from firsthand accounts of stationed soldiers. Bring your family for this special evening event as the site stays open after hours! By candlelight lantern, historians will guide guests of all ages across the parade ground and through the fort’s remains. At each stop, guides share experiences of those who lived and worked at the site.

As the tour passes the site’s remaining structures and ruins, guests will hear stories recorded by the people of Fort Towson, delving into histories beyond what’s found on site signage.

Resources for museums

The Moments That Made US Print-On-Demand Exhibition was developed through a multi-state collaboration that adapted the acclaimed Moments That Made US exhibition created by History Colorado. In Oklahoma, the initiative is organized by the Oklahoma Historical Society and made available to institutions statewide in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

As part of America250, Oklahoma libraries, museums, and civic organizations play a vital role in ensuring that communities across the state can take part in commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary. By hosting the exhibition, these institutions create opportunities for residents to explore the stories, ideas, and moments that continue to shape America.

This initiative reflects the enduring importance of libraries, museums, and cultural institutions as trusted, accessible community spaces that connect people with history, expand access to knowledge, and foster civic engagement. To access the printon-demand exhibition, visit okhistory.org/mtmu.

Captain Charles S. Hamilton, his wife, Sophia, and their son, Charles, lived at Fort Towson in the 1850s. Sophia’s 1908 memoir, Merrily I Roll Along, recounts their journey from New York to the fort, travel by boat and land, and life in sparsely furnished quarters. Her memoir and many other records detail life in the fort, and nearby Doaksville, providing some of the material for Reed and Sivard’s tour.

Fort Towson was a key outpost during America’s westward expansion and served as a military stronghold from 1824 to 1854. Today, visitors can explore a modern center, a rebuilt sutler store, and a scenic trail through the historic ruins.

Registration for this year’s night tour begins on Friday, May 1. Tickets are $10 per person and must be reserved in advance. After registering, you’ll receive confirmation and event details.

The site has moderately rugged terrain, so please wear closed-toe shoes, consider bringing bug spray, and feel free to bring a flashlight for walking between stops. Call 580-873-2634 or email fttowson@ history.ok.gov for more information.