As we begin 2026, the Friends of the Ferguson Home want to thank the citizens of Oklahoma (our new motto is “The Ferguson is Oklahoma”) and the city of Watonga, the owner of the museum property, for their support of the Ferguson Home Museum. During 2025, the Friends provided several cultural and educational activities and have improved the property with renovations and maintenance. Even as we begin activities in 2026, let us review progress in 2025.
We began 2025 with a presentation by Michael Mays on Early Oklahoma Jails including our own 1893 jail at the museum. In February, we celebrated African American Heritage month with Dr. Roger Hardaway. The Noble House and Watonga Community Theatre performed a dinner theater fundraiser “Shootout at Bill’s Boarding House.” In March, we celebrated Women’s History month with articles about Ferguson women, and T.B. Ferguson’s birthday.
In May, we celebrated National Preservation month with Dr. Kay Decker who made recommendations for preserving and showcasing our great history. In June, in collaboration with the American Legion and Boys/Girls State, we honored our nation’s flag and celebrated the centennial of the Oklahoma flag with Matthew Pearce, State Historian. Third grade and ninth grade students toured the home, jail and cavalry facility. In June, we conducted the annual Elva Ferguson Tea with an Alice in Wonderland theme.
October brought many activities associated with the Watonga Cheese Festival. The Friends of the Ferguson participated in the parade. Roy Espy designed a booth featuring Native American articles in the museum and participated in a symposium featuring the Ferguson’s interaction with Native Americans. The First State Bank hosted a showing of Harvey “Bearshield” Russel’s carvings. The Friends participated in the Community Trunk or Treat and open house at Museum.
In November, the Friends sponsored the third Ferguson Good Government Symposium. Seniors in High School from Watonga, Geary and Hydro-Eakley heard elected officials serving on school boards, city councils, county, state and federal government. The Friends collaborated with the Plains Collective with presentations by Gordon Yellowman and Dee Cordry on art and literature of the Cheyenne and Arapaho.
December brought the Friends booth at the Watonga Holiday Bazaar and a Breakfast with Santa in collaboration with the Noble House. The Plains Collective had presentations by Wilbur Bullcoming and James Black. We collaborated with the Ferguson Chapel with a hay ride that stopped at the Ferguson Chapel and the Ferguson Museum as part of the lighting of the town Christmas tree. Santa and Mrs. Claus hosted children/families on two weekends at the Museum.
And the Friends, in collaboration with the City of Watonga, replaced three double windows on the third floor, scraped, primed and painted the building and porches, refurbished the fence, replaced a tree, and made improvements to the interior and gardens.
Thank you to all who make the History of Watonga and Fergusons come alive. Please remember to renew your membership to keep this good work supporting the legacy of the Ferguson family moving forward.