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Woody Wilson Memorial Park: Carney, OK

Hey friend – welcome back to another post! Today, we’re looking at a statue in Carney, Oklahoma that honors World War I Doughboys. The statue sits in the Woody Wilson Memorial Park. Highway 177 intersects the town of Carney. I have driven up and down that highway many times, but never pulled off to drive…

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Sistine Chapel Exhibit: OKC

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Sistine Chapel exhibit that was on display in Oklahoma City from September through December 2022. Sadly, it is no longer open in OKC, but if it’s in a city near you then I totally recommend checking it out. So, let’s talk about it!…

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Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit @ Oklahoma City

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit that was in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for a few months. Sadly, this exhibit has already closed in Oklahoma City and moved on to the next place, but I still want to talk about it. So, let’s get started!  *All…

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Museums & Historic Sites to Visit in Stillwater!

Hey there, welcome to my blog! My name is Kaitlyn and I have a passion for history. I have a master’s degree in history from Oklahoma State University (OSU) and love to write about history tips and museum visits! This post includes some of my favorite museums and historic sites to visit in Stillwater, Oklahoma.…

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Museums to Visit in Oklahoma City!

Hey there, welcome to my blog! My name is Kaitlyn and I have a passion for sharing history. I have a master’s degree in American history and write about history class tips and museum adventures. This post includes some of my favorite museums and historic sites to visit in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information…

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Museums and Historic Sites to Visit in Guthrie!

Hey there – Welcome to my blog! My name is Kaitlyn and I love history. I have a master’s degree in American history from Oklahoma State University and love to write about history tips and museum visits! This post includes some of my favorite museums and historic sites to visit in Guthrie. Let’s get started!…

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Museums & Historic Sites to Visit in Ponca City!

Hey there – Welcome to my blog! My name is Kaitlyn and I love history. I have a master’s degree in American history and love to write about history tips and museum visits! This post includes some of my favorite museums and historic sites to visit in Ponca City, Oklahoma. So, let’s get started! *For…

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Guthrie National Bank Building: Guthrie, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Guthrie National Bank building in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Currently, this building houses the Bancfirst location in Guthrie. Let’s get started! *All photos were taken by myself in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Other image attributions are in the caption below the image and in the source section…

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Historic Tuton Pharmacy Building: Arcadia, OK

Hey friend – welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Historic Tuton Pharmacy Building in Arcadia, Oklahoma. This charming building measures 25 by 70 feet and holds a lot of local history. So, set’s get started! *Photos were taken by myself in Arcadia, Oklahoma at the Round Barn and Tuton Pharmacy Building.…

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Historical Markers in Stillwater, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, we’re talking about historical markers in Stillwater, OK. I talked my sister into helping me find some of these signs and we had a lot of un! *All photos in this post were taken by myself in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Historical Markers in this Post: David L. Payne…

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Dr. Angie Debo Statue: Stillwater, OK

Hey friends! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the life of Dr. Angie Debo. She was a pioneering historian and is widely remembered across the state of Oklahoma. Dr. Angie Debo wrote nine books, “edited three, co-authored another, wrote many chapters, articles, and forwards, and presented numerous papers on Native Americans and…

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The American Pigeon Museum: Oklahoma City, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we are talking about the American Pigeon Museum located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Did you know that 32 pigeons received the Dickin Medal of Honor during World War II? Keep reading to learn more about this award and the museum that explains the history and importance of…

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Old Central @ OSU: Stillwater, OK

Hey friends! Welcome back to another post – today, we’re talking about historic Old Central and the Oklahoma Museum of Higher Education in Stillwater, Oklahoma. For those of you who don’t know or are new around here, I am a 2-time Oklahoma State University alum. For undergrad, I was a member of the Honors College…

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First Americans Museum: Oklahoma City, OK

Hey friend – welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the new First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City! The facility is beautiful and there is so much history inside. Let’s go look around! *All photos used in this post were taken at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. Museum History The First…

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City Hall: Ponca City, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the beautiful city hall building in Ponca City, Oklahoma. While visiting some other historic sites and museums in the area, I drove past this building and had to turn around. I got out of my car, walked around the outside, and took some photos.…

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Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum: Oklahoma City, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum and Memorial. There are pieces in the museum collection from across the United States, across Oklahoma, and even a piece from the London Fire Brigade. Let’s go look around! *All photos used in this post were taken inside and…

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Edmond Historical Society & Museum: Edmond, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Edmond Historical Society Museum in Edmond, Oklahoma. Let’s get started! *All photos used in this post were taken by myself at the Edmond Historical Society Museum in Edmond, Oklahoma. Armory & Museum History Armory History The Edmond Historical Society is housed in the…

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Oklahoma Territorial Museum: Guthrie, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Their collections cover the creation of the Unassigned Lands, the Land Run of 1889, homesteading, territorial government, and state government. But first, a little bit of Oklahoma history for you! Oklahoma Territory existed from 1890-1907 when it…

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Oklahoma Sports Museum: Guthrie, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, we’re talking about the Oklahoma Sports Museum located in Guthrie, Oklahoma. They claim to have “the largest collection of Oklahoma Sports artifacts anywhere.” This could very well be true because the museum features nearly every sport you could think of – baseball, football, basketball, softball, rodeo, running, and…

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Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum: Guthrie, OK

Hey friend! Welcome to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Rumor has it that some of the pieces from this museum we used in a movie being released later this fall (2022)! Keep reading to find out which movie… Let’s get started! *All photos were taken by…

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L.A. Cann Gardens & Estate: Ponca City, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Lester and Mary Cann Memorial Gardens and Estate in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The Welcome plaque in front of the garden claims “the Cann Garden is a museum for living plants.” The Cann Garden features an “important collection of plants in a display setting.”…

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1889 Territorial Schoolhouse: Edmond, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, we’re talking about the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse in Edmond, Oklahoma. I had driven by it before, but had never been inside – so it was really cool to finally be able to see it! Let’s go look around and talk about the fascinating history! The schoolhouse is estimated…

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Carnegie Library: Guthrie, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Carnegie Library in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Let’s get started! *All photos in this post were taken by myself at the Carnegie Library in Guthrie, Oklahoma unless otherwise noted in the image captions. Carnegie Library History Inside the Library The Carnegie Library in Guthrie was…

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Nancy Randolph Davis Statue: Stillwater, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post – today, we’re talking about Nancy Randolph Davis. She was the first African American enrollee at Oklahoma A&M College, a Civil Rights pioneer in Oklahoma, and an educator for over 40 years. Let’s go learn about her amazing story and the legacy she has left behind! “I didn’t…

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Heritage Hall (OSU Sports Museum): Stillwater, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, We’re talking about Heritage Hall at Oklahoma State University on the West side of Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This museum is dedicated to OSU athletics and has some really cool stuff that has been donated by athletes, alumni, and fans! Let’s go look around at some…

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Conoco Museum: Ponca City, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Conoco Museum in Ponca City, Oklahoma. This will be a continuation of the oil history in the area. Please see the posts about Marland’s Grand Home and the Marland Mansion for more of the history of oil in Ponca City. Let’s go see…

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Poncan Theatre: Ponca City, OK

Hey friend – welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the historic Poncan Theatre in Ponca City, Oklahoma. This beautiful theater is located on Grand Avenue in the heart of downtown Ponca City. Let’s go look around! The Poncan Theatre is located in the historic district of downtown Ponca City. It was placed…

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Holmberg Hall @ The University of Oklahoma: Norman, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the historic Holmberg Hall located on the University of Oklahoma (OU) campus in Norman, Oklahoma. Students across several generations have honed their skills as performers in this building and continue to do so today. They have gone on to become singers, actors, dancers, and…

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The Marland Mansion: Ponca City, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re going to continue talking about the Marland Family from Ponca City, Oklahoma. This post will discuss the Marland Mansion, also known as the “palace on the prairie.” First, if you haven’t already, I recommend reading the article about the Marland’s Grand Home! That article gives the…

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The Marland’s Grand Home: Ponca City, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we are talking about the Marland’s Grand Home in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The Marland’s Grand Home has undergone several restoration projects thanks to generous donors. Today, the home is in pristine condition. Marland’s Grand Home is located on Grand Avenue and should not be confused with the…

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Teaching Advice from Experienced Educators

Hey y’all! Welcome back to another post, today we are going to talk about some advice that experienced educators would give first year educators. I began teaching in August 2021 and reached out to my online community on Facebook and Instagram asking teacher friends to give me their best advice. I have posted the wisdom…

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Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art: Norman, OK

Hey friend! Welcome to another post! Today, we are looking at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman, Oklahoma. This is a really cool art museum located on the campus of the University of Oklahoma (OU). There is over 40,000 square feet of exhibition space that features artworks from around the world! *…

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How I Use Old Newspapers in the Classroom

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, I am going to talk about how I use old newspapers in my classroom lectures. But first, let’s take a step back and talk about why I do this! Right after I finished my master’s program I began my Active Historian blog and instagram. I had an…

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OSU ROTC Thatcher Hall Air Park: Stillwater, OK

Hey Friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we are talking about the OSU ROTC Thatcher Hall Air Park at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Thatcher Hall is home to the Air Force and Army ROTC. The park contains old military equipment and an old plane! The park is free to walk around and…

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Christmas Gift Ideas from Museum Gift Shops

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, I am going to give you a few gift ideas you can find in museum gift shops! These gift ideas would be perfect for Christmas presents, birthday presents, or “I was thinking about you when I saw this” presents. Let’s get started! So, I love visiting museums…

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Where to Find Museum Discounts in Oklahoma!

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I am going to tell you where to find discounts and passes to Oklahoma museums. I love, love, love going to museums! But I also understand that museum visits can get expensive… Keep reading for tips on how to find museum discounts in Oklahoma! ***These discount sites…

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American Banjo Museum: Oklahoma City, OK

Hey there! Welcome back to another museum post! Today, I’m going to tell you about the American Banjo Museum located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This museum is in the heart of Bricktown so there’s a lot of other fun places to visit besides the museum! *All photos were taken at the American Banjo Museum in…

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Jones Historical Society Museum: Jones, OK

The Jones Historical Society Museum is located in Jones, Oklahoma. I had the privilege of stopping by their museum and looking around! They have a cool collection of local history items and an old railroad car next to the museum! Museum History The Jones Historical Society Museum was founded in 2001 by a group of…

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Lessons I Learned From Working in Museums

Hey friend – welcome back! Today, I am going to tell some of the things I learned from volunteering in a local history museum, working in a children’s museum, and through my virtual internship with History Colorado. I learned so many lessons and I’m excited to share them with you! Let’s get started! 🙂 Stillwater…

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99’s Museum of Women Pilots: Oklahoma City, OK

The 99’s Museum of Women Pilots is dedicated to preserving the history of women in early aviation to present day. This museum is a hidden gem located on the grounds of the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City. *All photos were taken at the 99’s Museum in OKC, Oklahoma. Museum History The 99’s Museum of…

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Oklahoma State Game Day Outfits: Football Edition

I LOVE football season, y’all! I love the stadium, the energy, cheering for my team, and everything else that goes with it! I especially love dressing up for games. Today, I am giving you several outfit ideas for an Oklahoma State football game! This will mostly be for the ladies, but one of my guy…

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Pops: Arcadia, OK

Hey, y’all today we’re going to take a little trip down Route 66! I’m going to take you to Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma. The Round Barn is less than a minute away from Pops – so you can easily hit both spots in the same afternoon!  This iconic place is open 7 days a week…

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Rock Island Railroad Car: Choctaw, OK

The Rock Island Railroad Car is located in Choctaw, Oklahoma at the intersection of 23rd and Henney. Choctaw is a suburb of Oklahoma City so getting to this railroad car was super easy! It is a red-ish colored Rock Island railroad car – so you know what to look for! The train car is numbered…

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Stillwater Museum of History at the Sheerar: Stillwater, OK

The Stillwater Museum of History at the Sheerar is a local history museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Their goal is to preserve Stillwater and Payne County history from Oklahoma Territory days to the present. *All photos were taken at the Stillwater Museum of History at the Sheerar in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Museum History The Stillwater History Museum…

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Harrah History Center: Harrah, OK

The Harrah History Center is managed by the Harrah Historical Society in Harrah, Oklahoma. This was a cute little town I visited in central Oklahoma. It’s located about 45 minutes East of Oklahoma City. Travel Tip: The museum is only open on certain days of the week. Currently, that day is Tuesday from 10-4 p.m.,…

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National Wrestling Hall of Fame: Stillwater, OK

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It sits on the Northeast end of the Oklahoma State University campus! I didn’t learn about this museum until I moved to Stillwater for college. My first visit was during spring break of my junior year – I had been in town for a…

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Sam Noble Museum of Natural History: Norman, OK

Hey y’all! Welcome back to another museum review! Today, we’re visiting the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma. I loved visiting this museum when I was little. My dad would take me, my sister, and my Nana to go see the dinosaurs. We lovingly called it the “Dinosaur Museum” and still call…

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Pioneer Woman Museum: Ponca City, OK

Today, we’re talking about the Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City! My first visit to this museum was during my first semester of graduate school. I needed to visit an archive for a project for my Historical Methods class which was related to my research. I study women’s history so what better place to visit,…

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How to Label Old Family Photos

Hey friend! Welcome back to another article! Today, we’re talking about how to label old photographs. As someone who uses old family photographs in my research, it makes my job 100% easier when someone has previously labeled the photos! So today, I am going to teach you how to label photos, what kind of writing…

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National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: Oklahoma City, OK

Hey y’all! Welcome back to another museum post! Today, we’re talking about one of my FAVORITE museums EVER! The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the collection features cowboys, cowgirls, rodeo, Native American art, military history, and so much more! The museum does an excellent job of representing…

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OSU Museum of Art: Stillwater, OK

The Oklahoma State University Museum of Art is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This is a smaller gallery right off Main Street. They have a room for permanent pieces and a gallery for traveling exhibits. This museum had free admission!

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5 Things You Need To Know Before Moving To College

Hey friend! Welcome back! Today we are talking about the essential things you need to know before moving into a college dorm or apartment! Moving away to college can be a scary experience for some people because they’ve never lived anywhere but home. But I’m here to tell you that it can be a fun…

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The Painters of Pompeii @ The OKC MOA (Exhibit Review)

Hey friend! Welcome! Today, I am reviewing the Painters of Pompeii Exhibit at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. It opened in June and will run through October 17, 2021. You don’t want to miss this one – it’s literally a chance of a lifetime to be able to see these Ancient Roman works of…

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10 Tips for College Freshmen

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today we’re talking about 10 tips to help college students be successful in their first semester of school. I spent 6 years in school and am gearing up to teach my own classes this fall – so I think I can help you! Let’s go ahead and hop…

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Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art: Shawnee, OK

Did you know that you can see real Egyptian mummies in Oklahoma?! Yes, you read that right. There are Egyptian mummies in Oklahoma! They’re housed at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee, Oklahoma. This museum is located on the grounds of the former Saint Gregory’s University campus, but Oklahoma Baptist University owns the campus…

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The Round Barn: Arcadia, OK

A round barn? Yes! They really exist! This style became popular in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries because people thought that tornadoes would bounce off the walls and go around the structure, rather than going through it. *All photos were taken at the Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma. Arcadia History The town of Arcadia was…

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How to Make Instagram Reels

Today we are talking about how to make Instagram Reels. Instagram has been saying they want their creators to make video content so they can compete with other platforms like TikTok. I know making videos can be scary – trust me, I was so scared a few months ago. Here’s the thing though, the more…

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5 Fun Ways to Learn History!

Today we’re going to talk about some of the fun ways to learn history that aren’t just reading a book… Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE reading a good book, but sometimes I like to switch things up a little bit! 

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Tips for College Transfer Students

Today I am going to talk about my experience as a transfer student and give you some practical advice that will help make the transition to another school much easier. This article will also give you some tips on how to be a successful transfer student! Let’s get started! 

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How to Write Your Family History

I was sitting at my Nana and Papa’s house one day and they were telling me stories like usual, but something changed. I wanted to know more about the people in these stories because they had passed away before I was born. At the time, I was a graduate student studying history so I thought…

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Where to Find Primary Sources for Women’s History

Sometimes it can be hard to find primary sources that blatantly talk about women and women’s history. As historians and researchers, we are taught to look for certain voices in unique places and sources. This article will give you several ideas of places to look to find women’s voices. 

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4 Tips for Building Confidence in Public Speaking

Hey there, friend! Welcome! Today we’re discussing how to build confidence for public speaking events. If you’re like me, then public speaking doesn’t always come easy. It has taken me years of practice to feel comfortable talking in front of a crowd. So today, I am going to tell you my top 5 tips for…

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How to Conduct an Oral History

Hey there, friend! Today we are talking about oral history. What is oral history? How do I do oral history? Are oral histories valid sources? These are just a few of the topics we’ll cover!  I didn’t actually study oral history while in school, I was fortunate to land an oral history internship position the…

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10 Resume Skills From History Class Explained

Hey there, Friend! Welcome back! Today we are discussing what resume skills you learn from history class. This is only a short list and by no means a comprehensive one.  I hope this helps you articulate what skills you have and that you land the job of your dreams! Let’s get started 🙂  1). Research …

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Where to Find Public Domain Images for Your Next Project

Hey there friend! Have you ever needed a picture for your project, but not known where to find non-copyrighted images? Today, I am going to give you a list of places to find non-copyrighted images that are perfect for any project. I have personally used the websites in this post for my own projects and…

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10 Tips for a Virtual Thesis Defense

Congratulations, you’re almost done with your degree! The only thing standing between you and that diploma is your thesis defense… *cue the dramatic music*  You might be terrified, excited, overwhelmed, or a combination of all of these things! But don’t worry you’ll do great. Relax, read these tips, and get ready to rock your thesis…

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The Best Places to Find Digitized Primary Sources

Hello – welcome back to my blog! Today I am going to tell you about my favorite places to find digitized primary sources. This article will be helpful for professional researchers, historians, and students needing to find evidence for their projects.  Finding primary sources can be hard to begin with, but now that most archives…

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Business Outfit Ideas For Women

Ladies, have you ever wondered what to wear to a business meeting, conference, or professional networking event? Today I am a going to give you 5 easy women’s business outfits for looking professional and classy.  I’ve always been told that it is important to dress for the role that you want. I’ve also been told…

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How to Make an A+ on History Exams

Hey there friend! Today we are discussing how to make an A+ on a History Exam. As a former student and Graduate Teaching Assistant I have got a few tips and tricks to help you out! Make sure that you read all the way to the end!  First, I am going to tell you what…

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Things to Include in Your CV

Hey there friend! So you need to write a CV? What even is a CV? Well – a CV is similar to a resume, but you list all of your academic and professional experiences. Unfortunately there isn’t really a set template on what to include and what not to include in your CV. I suggest looking on…

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How to Write A Research Paper In 8 Easy Steps

So you’ve been assigned a research paper for class… When I received the prompt for my first research paper I was so lost and didn’t know what to do. I began looking for resources (kind of like how you found this article!) and was hoping for some guidance. By the end of this article you will…

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13 Tips for Passing History Class

History class… Boring, right? WRONG! I can’t tell you how many times students would come to office hours and complain about how dry the subject was. Many of the students were freshmen and didn’t know how to engage the materials. College courses are different from high school courses and the students would become overwhelmed. As…

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Welcome to the Active Historian Blog!

Hey there friend! My name is Kaitlyn Weldon. I am so glad that you found my blog. I hope that you will find something useful here that you can apply to your own life. This is my first blog post and I thought I’d introduce myself and tell you little bit more about me.  I…

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