Mission
Our mission is to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of the Cherokee Strip and northwestern Oklahoma.
Voted an Outstanding New Attraction in Oklahoma, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center stands on one of the most famed spots in the American West, on the Chisholm Trail. The Heritage Center celebrates the spirit of the Cherokee Strip pioneers through engaging exhibits and living history events. Come experience one of the most significant heritage visitor destinations and educational resources in the State of Oklahoma.
Located in Enid, Oklahoma, the Heritage Center houses a varied collection of historical material including numerous eyewitness pioneer accounts, oral and video histories and more than 9,000 original and reproduced photographs, many of which depict the drama of the historic Cherokee Strip Land Run. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center houses over 10,000 artifacts including the first portable drilling rig invented in 1930 by George E. Failing on display in the entrance of the museum.
In addition to the vast amount of information on exhibit in the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, there is also a Research Center on site. Resources for genealogical or historical research relate to the region and the 1893 Land Run. These resources include area newspapers dating from the land run to 1920 on microfilm, city directories, land records and maps. Historical and biographical books are available, and the Research Center holds a large historical photo collection. Computers with Internet access are offered in the Research Center and include the popular genealogical research tool Ancestry.com
Come and browse through exhibits containing household objects and agricultural implements that were necessary for homesteading in the Outlet. The center also documents the beginnings of the United States Air Force and the creation of Vance AFB that trains 1/3 of the United States military pilots.
The center features material related to the discovery and development of the region’s oil and gas industry and items documenting the development of the nation’s first fully-integrated petroleum company. Using its rich collection of artifacts, photographs and documents, the museum expertly traces the history of the Cherokee Outlet and the people who settled there, making the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center a must-see.
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, a property of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Voted an Outstanding New Attraction in Oklahoma, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center stands on one of the most famed spots in the American West, on the Chisholm Trail. The Heritage Center celebrates the spirit of the Cherokee Strip pioneers through engaging exhibits and living history events. Come experience one of the most significant heritage visitor destinations and educational resources in the State of Oklahoma.
The Heritage Center houses a varied collection of historical material including numerous eyewitness pioneer accounts, oral and video histories and more than 9,000 original and reproduced photographs, many of which depict the drama of the historic Cherokee Strip Land Run. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center houses over 10,000 artifacts including the first portable drilling rig invented in 1930 by George E. Failing on display in the entrance of the museum.
In addition to the vast amount of information on exhibit in the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, there is also a Research Center on site. Resources for genealogical or historical research relate to the region and the 1893 Land Run. These resources include area newspapers dating from the land run to 1920 on microfilm, city directories, land records and maps. Historical and biographical books are available, and the Research Center holds a large historical photo collection. Computers with Internet access are offered in the Research Center and include the popular genealogical research tool Ancestry.com
Come and browse through exhibits containing houshold objects and agricultural implements that were necessary for homesteading in the Outlet. The center also documents the beginnings of the United States Air Force and the creation of Vance AFB that trains 1/3 of the United States military pilots.
The center features material related to the discovery and development of the region’s oil and gas industry and items documenting the development of the nation’s first fully-integrated petroleum company. Using its rich collection of artifacts, photographs and documents, the museum expertly traces the history of the Cherokee Outlet and the people who settled there, making the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center a must-see.
“The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, a property of the Oklahoma Historical Society, tells the story of the largest land run in American history.”
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center
Humphrey Heritage Village
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, a property of the Oklahoma Historical Society, and located in Enid, Oklahoma, tells the story of the largest land run in American history. The 1893 Land Run, settlement and development of northwest Oklahoma is explored through the Heritage Center’s five permanent exhibit galleries. On the grounds of the Heritage Center complex is Humphrey Heritage Village, a living history village featuring four historically significant buildings including the only remaining 1893 U.S. Land Office, which originally sat in present-day downtown Enid.
Our History
Our Collections
The Heritage Center houses a varied collection of historical material including numerous eyewitness pioneer accounts, oral and video histories and more than 9,000 original and reproduced photographs, many of which depict the drama of the historic Cherokee Strip Land Run. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center houses over 10,000 artifacts including the first portable drilling rig invented in 1930 by George E. Failing on display in the entrance of the museum.
Our Exhibits
Exhibitions
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center houses two exhibition halls that offer permanent and temporary exhibit displays.
The Ward & Meibergen Exhibition Hall features various original artifacts that follow the history of the Cherokee Outlet. Items on display include an original wagon used in the 1893 Landrun, antique farm equipment, and uniforms and sports memorabilia from Phillips University, along with maps, photos, personal histories and more.
The J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation Gallery is a temporary exhibit space that hosts several traveling and in-house exhibits every year. The Mabee Gallery often features traveling exhibits from Mid-America Arts Alliance and The Kauffman Museum, along with various in-house displays that showcase regional history through curated artifacts and information housed in the collections and archives of the Heritage Center.
Our Events
Events
The education department hosts multiple events for all ages year-round. These events create fun and educational experiences that range from special presentations by guest speakers, exhibit previews, live-music, and more. Family Farm Day and Christmas in the Village fill the Humphrey Heritage Village with activities for the whole family to enjoy. History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip brings the historic building to life with historical interpreters. The Museum After Dark series opens up the Heritage Center during select evenings for those who are not able to visit during regular operational hours.
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center
Humphrey Heritage Village
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, a property of the Oklahoma Historical Society, and located in Enid, Oklahoma, tells the story of the largest land run in American history. The 1893 Land Run, settlement and development of northwest Oklahoma is explored through the Heritage Center’s five permanent exhibit galleries. On the grounds of the Heritage Center complex is Humphrey Heritage Village, a living history village featuring four historically significant buildings including the only remaining 1893 U.S. Land Office, which originally sat in present-day downtown Enid.
Our History
Our Collections
The Heritage Center houses a varied collection of historical material including numerous eyewitness pioneer accounts, oral and video histories and more than 9,000 original and reproduced photographs, many of which depict the drama of the historic Cherokee Strip Land Run. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center houses over 10,000 artifacts including the first portable drilling rig invented in 1930 by George E. Failing on display in the entrance of the museum.
