On Saturday, May 4, Kay Little of Little History Adventures will be presenting a fun program on Women from Oklahoma that have helped make our state great in many ways. Women from the arts, law, business, the art, education, home makers, teachers, the list is endless. You may know some of them but there ae many that will come as a surprise, some from our area in Nowata. Kay is always searching for women to add to her list, so if you know of a family member or just someone you have heard about, please share with her. 

Many of us are descendents of brave individuals that made the decision to come to a new country for a variety of reasons. Kay Little will be presenting a program on Saturday, May 11 about arriving at Ellis Island and the challenges these people faced. 

If you have American flags that are in need of retirement (worn, torn, faded, etc.), the American Legion will be having a flag retirement ceremony on Saturday, May 18 starting at 1:00 pm. at the Museum. Please bring in any flags that you wish to have properly retired before May18 or even on that day. 

The exhibit, Voices and Votes, Democracy in America will officially close on the afternoon of Saturday, May 25. In order to honor those brave men and women of our county that have sacrificed so much for our ability to live in a free nation, a democracy, the American Legion will have a Bell Ceremony starting at 1:00 pm at the Museum. Please come and help honor our heroes.

See the bold men who rode for Judge Parker from

1850 to 1907 COME ALIVE!

In the days before Statehood in Indian Territory, Judge Parker commissioned marshalls to keep the law in Oklahoma. These were commonly called Guardsmen of Oklahoma, and included many well known names. This Saturday (4/27) we are privileged host at least 10 of these historic characters at the museum. Come see them while touring the “Voices and Votes” Smithsonian exhibit. Open from 10:00 to 4:00. Here is a bit of description of the group:

“​We are Oklahoma’s ambassadors of historical Oklahoma/Indian Territory law enforcement. We are available to present our historical re-enactments for groups of most any size. We do not act out any quickdraw or shootout exhibitions; rather, we share, in the first person, historically correct information about the characters whom we represent. Our characters include the following: Judge Isaac C. Parker; Deputy U.S. Marshals Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman, Chris Madsen, Bass Reeves, and Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton.”

If interested in hosting your own Prairie Grass Production show, please contact John Pryor at 918-864-3521.

The special Smithsonian traveling exhibit VOICES AND VOTES is up and running through May 25th. Learn how our Democratic Republic came about. Several school groups have been in to see the exhibit. It’s a wonderful learning experience for these students. See earlier posts for details on dates and times.

The new Smithsonian special exhibit is just 2 weeks away. It’s here for 6 weeks, so be sure to plan a visit. For TOUR GROUPS OR SCHOOL CLASS visits, please call Nancy Malone at the Nowata Area Chamber of Commerce (918-273-2301) to arrange a date and time.

Teachers and school administrators, the Nowata Historical Society is hosting a destination that is perfect for a Field trip. See the invitation below. In addition to the tour of the museum and Smithsonian exhibit, an extra Drive-By tour of local interests can add to the field trip experience. A list of local attractions to visit are shown here. And finally, here are some eating places along with other local information. The Society would love to host your field trip. If interested in arranging a tour, Please call Nancy Malone at there Nowata Chamber of Commerce at 918-273-2301.

The holiday decoration of the Glass Mansion is finishing up. This year’s theme is all things Nutcrackers! Displayed throughout the house are hundreds of nutcrackers of all types and sizes. Add to that a number of Christmas trees, and it is a very festive atmosphere. Here are the dates and times the Mansion is open for tours. Group tours may be accommodated by calling the Society at 918-273-1191.

The Smithsonian in Nowata. Bring the kids for lots of activities. Photo opportunities, Cherokee artisans doing traditional crafts. Vintage gas engines demonstrations, and much more. Join us from

10am to 4:00pm