Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid, Oklahoma. There are so many cool things to see at this site. Let’s go look around!
*All photos were taken by myself at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid, Oklahoma.
History of the Center
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is located in Enid, Oklahoma. This museum focuses on the history of Northwestern Oklahoma and the 1893 Land Run. Additionally, the museum explores pioneer history, agriculture, drilling for oil, Vance Air Force Base, education, and more!
Permanent Exhibitions
The permanent exhibits at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center were so cool! I have included a few photos from some of the galleries. The sod house exhibit was my personal favorite.
Humphrey Heritage Village
The Humphrey Heritage Village is a living history village located at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. There are several historic buildings you can walk around and go inside! It’s so cool!
Original Land Run Office from 1893
This is the last standing U.S. Land Office from the 1893 land run. There were 4 land offices located in Alva, Enid, Perry, and Woodward. 21,000 homestead claims were filed at this office in Enid!
The Land Office was originally located on the East side of the city square in Enid before being relocated to the Humphrey Heritage Village at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. The building has been restored and it is so cool on the inside!
The wooden posts in photo 7 below were used to measure and mark claims according to the map on the wall. The surveyors had to lay these posts out before the land run took place.
The plaque in photo 10 outside of the building reads: “This is the only remaining US land office from the 6 Oklahoma land runs (1889-1896) and other Oklahoma land openings. This office was built in Enid for the registration of claims in County O, later named Garfield County, for the land run in the Cherokee Outlet on September 16, 1893. It was moved to the Humphrey Heritage Village and restored by the Heritage League, the Champlin Foundation and the Oklahoma Historical Society.” This marker was dedicated on February 21, 1997.
Turkey Creek School from 1896
Originally, the Turkey Creek School was located about 10 miles southwest of Enid close to the Imo area.
Construction on this one-room schoolhouse began in 1895 and took three years to complete. The parents of the students built the building so their students could receive an education. The first class was held in 1898! What’s really cool is the original alphabet board still hangs on the wall of the schoolhouse today!
The school eventually closed in 1947 and the building was relocated a few times before it was moved to the Humphrey Heritage Village.
Glidewell House from 1905
The Glidewell House was built in 1905 by James W. and Alice Glidewell near Helena, Oklahoma in Alfalfa County. The home was built in the Victorian style and has the original gingerbread wooden trim. The two-story home has several rooms! There are four bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining room, study, and a sitting room (upstairs).
Lora Lee Woodall and Betty Lou Graft, the granddaughters of the Glidewells donated the home to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
You can walk through on a tour and see furniture and other items that were original to the home. Personally, I loved seeing all of the furniture pieces!
Episcopal Church from 1902
This was the first Episcopal Church built in Enid for the St. Matthew’s congregation in 1902. Reverend Francis Key Brooke preached his first sermon from the back of a wagon! He came to Enid during the land run.
Misc. Pieces in the Village
Imprinting the West – Temporary Exhibit
Concluding Thoughts
I loved this museum, I spent a few hours here on a Saturday morning and went on the tour of the Humphrey Heritage Village. The tour is well worth your time and the staff member who led it was so kind and knowledgable.
I want to give a shout-out to the other staff members at this museum as well. They were super friendly and answered all my questions about Enid. They even gave recommendations for places to eat around town which was great for me!
I definitely recommend visiting this museum and chatting with the people there!
TRAVEL TIP: Make sure to go on the tour of the Humphrey Heritage Village! I learned a lot!
Happy traveling, friend! I’ll talk to ya soon! 🙂
Visit
507 S. 4th Street
Enid, OK 73701
Kaitlyn Weldon, M.A. 