We had several visitors this week. A couple from out of town came. Then a family that had recently moved to Watonga. The father came by, then left and brought back his wife and children. He is interested in being a volunteer.
The third floor is part of the home. I’ve heard someone call it the attic, but it was finished and was used by several different people while the Fergusons lived there and now it is used to display items that pertained to frontier days. The items up there have been donated by people from Blaine County. The Ferguson’s oldest son Walter used it for a bedroom. I imagine after Walter left home and married then Trad, “Tom Jr”, used it as a bedroom. Dr. Theresa Hunt rented it as a place to live while the Fergusons were in Guthrie. There are four cubicles or cubby holes in the wall which were used for storage. At one point there was an attic above the third floor. When making the home into the museum they found papers of Governor Ferguson under the sheet rock on the ceiling. Later on Governor Ferguson’s papers were stored on the third floor by Mrs. Ferguson and are now at the Oklahoma History Center. Elva Ferguson talks about going to an old soldier reunion and settler’s picnic at Taloga, which was fifty miles away, in her book They Carried the Torch. Imagine the time it took to plan this. There were no phones, so a telegram could have been sent or most likely a letter was written inviting Mr. Ferguson. If the invitation was sent by letter, they would have had to account for the time for it to be delivered, replied to, and the preparation to travel by wagon. She may have even had to do laundry before going. It’s not like now where you could receive a phone call inviting, marking the calendar, and then driving that fifty miles there and back in the same day. I wonder how fast a wagon could go or how far it could go in one day. If anyone has any information on this, please let me know for my own curiosity. I’ve often wondered how long it took them to come by wagon from Kingfisher to Watonga with just trails to follow or how long it took to get to Hitchcock to do that weekly paper. She said they always took blankets, food, and camping gear wherever they went in the wagon because you never knew what would come up and you would have to spend the night. On their trip to Taloga, it got too dark to cross the South Canadian River and it was too dangerous to cross unless you could see what you were doing because “quick sand had caused many men and horses to be drawn down and drowned”. The next morning they forded the river and went to the fairgrounds where many people had gathered and had a good time. On the program was David Nation and his wife Carrie Nation who lived in Dewey County. Mr. Ferguson was the primary speaker then Mrs. Nation gave her “flowery speech on temperance”. This was a few years before she became nationally known for her “Temperance” statement. I personally find this exciting that the Fergusons knew Carrie Nation or that Carrie Nation knew the Fergusons, however you want to say it.
The next Trades Day is July 9, 2022, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please let us know if you are planning on bringing anything so we can reserve you a spot. Bring your new or vintage items. They don’t have to be antique, just something someone else can use. I know it’s early yet for garden vegetables but if you have cleaned out your flower beds and have bulbs or plants. I always think I sure hate to waste these flowers. I’m still caring for plants from my husband’s funeral 14 years ago.
You don’t have to be a member to volunteer. If you can only help with one program or project we welcome you. Any one that wants to become a member of Friends of Ferguson Home is welcome. Membership means you can come to our monthly meetings and give us your suggestions as to how to better the Friends of the Ferguson Home Museum programs and fundraisers. We are always open to new ideas. You don’t have to help with every program or fund raiser.
Hours of operation are Wednesday thru Saturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Closed state holidays. Just give us a call at 580-623- 5069 or 580-614-1018 to make arrangements for an after hours tour.