Ferguson Features

We are still looking for site director. It’s 20 hours a week. You can call the museum at 580-623-5069 or me at 560-623-4826 for details.

People are beginning to notice the work Clay and Andrew are making on scrapping the exterior of the museum getting ready to paint. It’s a slow process because of needing to be careful to not damage the old wood. Watonga was fortunate to have Clay drive by and see the Ferguson Home Museum and want to help us. We can use other volunteers too.

We are getting ready for the Trades Day June 5, July 10, and August 7. You can bring old garden tools, lawn mowers, tillers, pets, books, crafts, sewing, knitting, crochet, garden vegetables, eggs and such. All animals must be on leashes or in cages. Nothing mean or poisonous please. Bring your own tables and chairs. There will be a small fee. Call the museum at 580-623-5069 for more information. Be sure to leave your name and call back number since we don’t have caller ID.

A little history of the Cornish-American Organ donated to the Friends of Ferguson Home by Omer and Lola Enlow. The article reads, Harriette Parker Camden taught lessons in the one-time Community of Ferguson. The information I found shows a Ferguson Community in Lincoln Township. The map I found shows a West Lincoln which is south of Watonga down toward Greenfield and an East Lincoln which out toward Cedar Valley, east of Watonga. But the article says her husband was the manager of the big salt plant there. Was there a salt plant south or east of Watonga or are they talking about the one at Hitchcock? I’m curious if anyone knows for sure where Ferguson Community was. You can call me at 580-623- 4826 and let me know.

Mrs. Camden composed the first official state song, “Oklahoma” in 1906 on this black walnut pedal organ. It was adopted by the Legislature in 1935. We don’t know what year the Camdens bought the organ, but they sold the organ to David Enlow, Omer’s grandfather, around 1906 when they moved to California because it was too big to move. David was postmaster of Ferguson then. He bought the organ for his granddaughter, Ethel Enlow, who learned to play it and had it until 1975. It has belonged to Omer and Lola Enlow since 1975 until now when they donated it to the Friends of the Ferguson Home.

The organ features elaborate wood trim and has a patent date of 1885 by the Cornish Company, Washington, N.J. The six-octave organ has one octave more than most organs making it have a deep true tone. This organ was shipped from New Jersey to Oklahoma Territory, I assume by train to some point then by wagon, and has been well taken care of. There are no scratches and none of the carvings or mirrors are broken. There are candle stands on each end, handles to move it with on each side and a place to store the music. The stool is in good shape too. The carpet on the foot petals shows a little fading but it should at this age. We are thankful to Omer and Lola Enlow for this wonderful donation. Please stop by to see it.