In preparing a grant request to Oklahoma History, the Friends of the Ferguson needed to quantify the value of volunteer hours and other donations. The Bureau of cThe Friends of the Ferguson Home Museum were very visible in the 48th Watonga Cheese Festival/Plains Collective including two activities with the Plains Collective. This was in addition to the usual hours at the Ferguson on Thursday and Friday afternoons, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.
First, Roy Espy, former Director of the TB Ferguson Home Museum and weekly contributor of “Throwback Thursday” on the Museum’s Facebook page, was invited to be part of a panel on Friday afternoon discussing articles about the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribes over the years in the Watonga Republican, a newspaper that was started in 1892 by the Fergusons. In her book “ They Carried the Torch”, Mrs. Ferguson writes about their positive interaction with the tribes. More recently, the Republican had a section on tribal news by Darrell Rice, a non-native American. These were always informative.
Second, Roy also set up a display of Native American articles from the Ferguson’s third floor. Dr. Dorothea Tyler, a dentist, came to Watonga in 1901 and rented the third floor of the Ferguson home while providing dental care to native Americans and settlers alike. The articles on display include a photo by Henry C. Chaufty Studios dated Oct. 12, 1912, of 40 Native Americans in regalia on their horses at an Indian Fair in Watonga. The names are listed by Gordon Yellowman of El Reno.
There were beautifully beaded moccasins, and a doll with fine beadwork made by A_____ Roman Nose in 1936.
Third, the Friends of the Ferguson Home, in cooperation with the First State Bank of Watonga, set up a display of alabaster carvings by eminent Cheyenne artist Harvey “Bearshield” Russell, Jr. The exhibit on Friday afternoon featured carvings owned by bank officers and another collector. Harvey Russell studied art in Santa Fe and has exhibited widely. These carvings of alabaster from along the South Canadian River are of various native American themes.
Fourth, the Friends of the Ferguson Home, Inc, was represented in the annual parade by Joe and Teresa Bryan driving their one-owner 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle. The theme of the placards on the sides invites everyone to “Relive Local History at the T.B. Ferguson Museum”.