Part of our in-depth series exploring the forts of Comancheria
Museum of the Cherokee Strip
507 South 4th Street
Enid, OK 73701
Director: Heidi Vaughn
580-237-1907
[email protected]
At noon on September 16, 1893, 100,000 people raced into the Cherokee Outlet to claim a 160-acre homestead or a town lot. The largest of the Oklahoma land runs, the Cherokee Outlet Land Run opened six million acres to settlement. By nightfall settlers camps dotted the prairie, and buildings were springing up in the newly settled towns.
The Sons and Daughters of the early Cherokee Strip pioneers organized the Museum of the Cherokee Strip during the 1950’s. Now, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center has organized to expand the original vision of the museum to showcase the many lessons of leadership evident in development of the region to inspire future generations in ambition, dedication, courage, wisdom, and perseverance. A $7.5 million fundraising initiative, Claiming Our Past, Inspiring Our Future: The Campaign to Create the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center has been organized to secure $6.5 million for the capital project and $1 million for an operational endowment.
Make plans to visit the museum now and to return for the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. While the museum will close sometime in the fall, Humphrey Heritage Village may remain open. The village, named for Bill Humphrey, features four historically significant buildings - the only existing land office from the 1893 land run, the Glidewell House, Turkey Creek School, and the Village Church.
The Museum of the Cherokee Strip was renovated and reopened in 2009 as the "Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center."
The Humphrey Heritage Village is open for tours (weather permitting) daily at slots of 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3pm. The research center meanwhile is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 5pm. Facilities close for Oklahoma state holidays.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday - Monday, Closed
Admission
Adults: $7
Family up to 6 people: $18
Veterans and active military: free
Group rate (10+): $5 pp
Members: Free