Ferguson Features

A couple came from Elk City Saturday. I asked them what brought them to Watonga and he said this did pointing around the parlor. They were checking out places to bring their grandkids next summer. He said they loved looking at old homes. I explained about the restoration going on. I asked them if they knew anything about T.B. Ferguson and she said just what they read on our website. So they got the whole spiel on the history. It is such a pleasure to tell people about the history and see the expressions on their faces showing they are interested. Discussing topics such as the herd law, or telling how there was no deficit spending while T.B. was governor and how Governor Ferguson went to the St. Louis World Fair promoting Oklahoma Territory to become a state. Plus the first issue of the Watonga Republican newspaper was printed October 12, 1892, and is still the weekly paper in Watonga.

The Homestead Act that President Lincoln put into law gave the settlers 160 acres and five years to improve the land for agriculture purpose. At the time the cattlemen let their cattle roam free range. The cattle were getting into the settlers’ fields and gardens. The settlers complained to Governor Ferguson and he was able to pass the Herd Law which required the cattlemen to fence in their cattle. They didn’t like it at first but eventually came around.

November is Native American history month. We have some beautiful Native American paintings belonging to Carol Dunn and Louise and Donnie Dunn on display. Also, a beautiful shawl that was given to me (Louise Griffin) by the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribe at a fund raiser they held for the museum a few years back during the Watonga Cheese Festival. There are also a few other artifacts that belong to the Ferguson Home; come by to see them.

The weather has been rainy, windy, and cold so Clay and Anthony weren’t able to work on the front porch until Sunday. The wind broke the plastic pole that holds our “Open” flag. Donnie had a metal one and put the flag on it. The wind can’t break it, it may beat the flag to shreds but won’t break the pole. Thank you Donnie.

The Christmas Tree decorating fund raiser will begin November 22 and run until December 11. Different groups have agreed to decorate a Christmas tree at the Ferguson Home and thus help decorate the Home. You can vote on the one you like for $1.00 per vote and you can vote as often as you want. We will have pictures at the Christmas Bazar so you can also vote there and again at our Breakfast with Santa fundraiser. The date of the Breakfast with Santa has changed to December 11, 2021, 8:00–10:00 am. It will be at the Watonga Christian Church with both dine in or to go options. Pictures with Santa will be available for $5.00 per picture.

We welcome anyone that would like to become a member of Friends of Ferguson. You can help with any project you are interested in or none at all. Maybe you can give suggestions. You will be helping a worthwhile cause. We are glad to get back to doing fun and exciting things at the home.

Our hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. We are always glad to open at other times for people having company or special events. You can call the Museum at 580-623-5069. Be sure and leave your name and call back information if you call while we aren’t open because we don’t have caller ID.