Oklahoma History Center facts for kids
The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) is a fun museum in Oklahoma City. It teaches you all about the history of the state of Oklahoma. The museum opened in 2005. It is run by the Oklahoma Historical Society. You can find it across the street from the Governor's mansion.
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Exploring the Museum
The Oklahoma History Center has many different areas to explore. Each area, called a gallery, focuses on a special part of Oklahoma's story.
Culture and Arts Gallery
The Inasmuch Foundation Gallery shows off Oklahoma's culture and arts. You can learn about different people and their traditions. It also covers sports, radio, and television history. You might even see exhibits about famous Wild West shows!
American Indian Gallery
The ONEOK Gallery is all about Oklahoma's 39 American Indian tribes. This area helps you understand their history and modern life. You can see old tools, listen to tribal music, and view amazing art. There are also stories told by tribal members themselves.
Oklahoma's Beginnings Gallery
The Kerr-McGee Gallery shares stories of Oklahoma's early days. You can see items from an old riverboat found in the Red River. There are also exhibits about how people started businesses here. You can even see a cool 3-D model of an oil derrick! This gallery also covers military history and how people traveled long ago.
Life in Oklahoma Gallery
The Noble Foundation Gallery shows what life was like for Oklahomans. You can learn about schools, farming, and ranching. It also covers how people dressed and how the government works. There are exhibits about the Dust Bowl and the famous land runs. You can also learn about law and order and Oklahoma's weather.
Space Exploration Gallery
The Gaylord Special Exhibit Gallery is a must-see for space fans! It has the actual Skylab 4 command module. This is a real spacecraft that went to space! You can also see items from Oklahomans who became astronauts. These include flight suits and personal belongings. Plus, you can see two real Moon rocks! One is from Apollo 11 and the other from Apollo 17.
Special Events for Students
Each year, the Oklahoma History Center hosts a big event. It's called the Oklahoma State Level History Day Competition. This is part of a larger contest called National History Day. Students in middle and high school can join. They create projects like documentaries, papers, websites, or performances. Their projects are about a historical topic they choose. If they do well, they can go on to the national competition!
Images for kids
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Arapaho leggings and moccasins, around 1910
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Otoe-Missouria beaded moccasins, around 1880
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Shawnee Native American Church altar cloth
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A Standard Oil tank truck
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A display about the Turner Turnpike
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An early color TV camera from WKY-TV
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A fountain on the museum grounds
