Fort Gibson Historic Site to Explore 1830s Entertainment in November Living History Programs

November 5, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Frazee
Fort Gibson Historic Site, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 918-478-4088
[email protected]
okhistory.org/fortgibson

FORT GIBSON, Okla. — A living history program held on Saturday, November 7, 14 and 21 at Fort Gibson Historic Site will explore entertainment in the 1830s. The come-and-go events take place from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 4 p.m.

Site interpreter Seth Goff will demonstrate and teach visitors how games were set up and played. You can learn more about how 19th-century soldiers and civilians entertained themselves with faro and card games.

Whenever the soldiers at Fort Gibson had authorized downtime—or whenever enlisted soldiers decided to take a “break” at the expense of Uncle Sam and their officers—there were many options for entertainment during downtime. Gambling card games like faro, as well as more innocent games like checkers and dominoes, were commonly played by both soldiers and civilians in the 1830s.

The programs will take place in the palisade, located at 110 E. Ash St. in Fort Gibson. Guests should check in at the palisade admissions office. The living history event is included with paid admission to the site. Members of the Oklahoma Historical Society always get in free. This event takes place in an area that is not climate-controlled, so dress appropriately.

For more information, please call 918-478-4088. The Fort Gibson Historic Site is located at 803 N. Garrison Ave. in Fort Gibson.

The Fort Gibson Historic Site is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.

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Editor’s Note: Photos of the Fort Gibson Historic Site are available upon request.

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