Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center facts for kids
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| Former name | Museum of the Cherokee Strip |
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| Established | April 1, 2011 |
| Location | 507 S. 4th St., Enid, Oklahoma |
| Type | History Museum |
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) is a cool museum in Enid, Oklahoma. It teaches visitors all about the history of the Cherokee Outlet and the famous Land Run that happened on September 16, 1893. This museum used to be called the Museum of the Cherokee Strip. It has grown a lot and now has 24,000 square feet of space! The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center has awesome permanent and temporary exhibits. It also has a special research center and a fun place called the Humphrey Heritage Village.
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
People in Enid started talking about having a museum for Land Run items way back in the 1940s. In 1951, a man named Harry H. McKeever began collecting old items and stories. He talked to people who had been part of the Land Run.
The first museum opened on September 14, 1951. It was in the basement of the courthouse. This opening happened during the yearly celebration of the Cherokee Strip Land Run. Over the years, the museum moved several times. It was in the basement of the Enid Carnegie Library and then an old post office. Later, it moved to Convention Hall.
In 1962, Phillips University and the Sons and Daughters of the Cherokee Strip decided to combine their museums. The new combined museum opened in November 1966. It was in the university's old library building, which was built in 1914.
The Museum of the Cherokee Strip officially opened at its current spot on September 13, 1975. Groups like the Garfield County Historical Society helped save and collect historical items. These items from the Cherokee Outlet are now on display at the museum.
In 2005, a new plan was made to build an even bigger museum. This was a team effort between the Oklahoma Historical Society and other groups. The new Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center opened its doors on April 1, 2011. Today, the Oklahoma Historical Society helps run the Heritage Center.
Explore the Galleries and Exhibits
The museum has many permanent exhibits that tell amazing stories. You can learn about how people first settled the area after the Land Run of 1893. You'll also discover how farming grew, how oil was found, and about the early trains in the region. Other exhibits focus on the history of Phillips University and Enid, Oklahoma.
The Heritage Center also has a special gallery for temporary exhibits. These are shows that change over time. For example, in 2010, the museum showed a photography exhibit called "Cherokee Nation: Portrait of a People." This was one of the first exhibits in the new temporary hall.
The Research Center: A Place to Learn More
The Heritage Center has a research center. It's like a giant library of history! Here, you can find old photographs, recorded stories from people who lived long ago, and old newspapers. There's also information to help you learn about your family history. A full-time expert is there to help you find what you're looking for.
Humphrey Heritage Village: Step Back in Time
The Humphrey Heritage Village is a cool living history village right on the museum grounds. It's like stepping back in time! The village has old buildings from northwestern Oklahoma. You can see Enid's U.S. Land Office, which was used during the Land Run of 1893. Other buildings include the Glidewell house, Enid's first Episcopal church, and the Turkey Creek School House.
See also
- Regional heritage
- Oklahoma Historical Society
- Cherokee Outlet
