We had nine visitors this week. One family, which included a couple from Massachusetts, a couple from Cache, Oklahoma, and a lady from Watonga came on Friday. They were in town visiting family and decided to come see the museum. They were very interested in our history. They stayed after the tour for a few minutes talking about the home and other things. Terri was there helping me wax the downstairs parlor floor so they couldn’t get into the music room to see the sewing machine or the record player, but I told them about both. On Saturday two couples came by from Skiatook, Oklahoma, one of the men told Ashley she was good at telling stories. People are not in a hurry to leave and the visitor complementing Ashley lets us know we are doing something good.
There is a vest in our Native American display on the third floor. It is white with four leaves, a pink three petal flower with two leaves and a man on a horse appliqued on it. It has blue thread all around the edge and arm holes. There is no signage to let me know who made it or who donated it. Whoever made it did a very good job. There is a lot of detail in the man on the horse.
In the book, They Carried the Torch, Mrs. Ferguson tells about the fellows who fired three shots into The Republican office. I thought it was just one man but her books say “fellows” so there were more than one. She was in the office at the type cases and they barely missed shooting her. She says, “It seems that they had taken aboard some fire water, mounted their ponies and riding close to the office had fired on the shop.” She also discussed the politics of the time, “In 1893 Mr. Ferguson discovered a ‘Benedict Arnold’ in Republican ranks, a member of the territorial legislature had refused to vote with his party in the organization of the house.”
The next Trades Day is July 9, 2022, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Bring your new or vintage items. They don’t have to be antique, just something someone else can use. Please let us know if you are planning on bringing anything so we can reserve you a spot. We would like this to grow and be something good for the community. I remember growing in Fairview one day a month all year round people would go to Trades Day. They would bring piglets, bunnies, chicks, eggs, butter, honey, baked items, potatoes, beets, turnips, things they knitted or crocheted, and quilts. The men had small plows, shovels, rakes and such. Sometimes there would be a man there to sharpen knives and scissors.
Our next two events are the Tea August 14, 2022, at the Christian Church and Music Under the Stars September 9, 2022, at the Ferguson Home Museum. More details to follow.
Any one that wants to become a member of Friends of Ferguson Home is welcome. You don’t have to be a member to volunteer. I had a lady email me this week and ask where we can use man power.
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.