Museum of Pioneer History

museum The Lincoln County Historical Society, chartered in 1954, has maintained the Museum of Pioneer History through the years in efforts to preserve the past for all present and future generations. The collections include county-wide photographs and artifacts from families dating back to before the land run of 1891. The Genealogy and Historical Research departments of the museum boasts microfilm and hard files of events, businesses, families, military and general history of the entire county going back to the Spanish American War.

museum interior  The museum is housed in the Mascho-Murphy Building at 717 and 719 Manvel. Considered the oldest county commercial unaltered building still in use, the 1897-1898 Mascho buildings are listed by the National Register of Historic Places.  Built by pioneer grocer A.E. Mascho immediately after a tornado leveled the original town of Chandler in 1897 the twin buildings served as grocery and “racket” stores until the mid-1970 when it was converted into the Lincoln County Historical Society Museum.

museum interior In 2004 the museum incorporated the Olson- Crain building at 721 Manvel where the Children’s Historical Resource Center is located. The CHRC now host the Ms. Fay Historical Marionette shows each year for school groups and public shows. Directed by and starring master puppeteer Joann McMillan as Ms. Fay, Oklahoma history comes alive with handcrafted marionettes of famous Oklahomans like William “Bill” Tilghman, Kate Barnard, Wyle Post, Will Rogers, Heck the Horse, former governors and so many more.

Bennie Kent in a top hat with a cigarThe teaching practices of Miss Fay Armstrong are still being put to use today, making Oklahoma history come to life through puppetry. Follow this link for more information.
 
The second-floor galleries celebrate the people of Lincoln County from statehood to the present.The adventure begins in the Lincoln county Hall of Heroes. Here the sacrifices and bravery of our military men and women are honored. Starting with the first National Guard Encampment in Chandler and moving through American conflicts to the War in Iraq, travel through the heart-stopping challenges of war and brutal realities of battle.
 
museum front
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

For more information on the Museum of Pioneer History, click here