Major County Historical Society

The Major County Historical Society was chartered on May 3, 1968 and on April 18, 1985, Augusta Specht gave the Major County Historical Society 160 acres of farm land and enough money to build a building for a museum. The complex includes an entrance area with various artifacts from Major County and Oklahoma History, including a quilt in honor of Augusta Specht, a former school teacher in Major County in the early 20th century; the Specht gallery, which displays historical cookware, children's toys, and fashion throughout Oklahoma history; a conference room in which the board holds their monthly meetings and other various activities; an office; and the Sand Creek Village Museum, which houses historical farming equipment and military artifacts, including a replica Civil War cannon. Other buildings on the grounds include the Blue Front Hotel, which has just finished restoration recently with the aid of community donations. Through the years the Fairview Depot was moved to the Major County Historical Society grounds. The depot is now the board's main focus for a restoration project. Next to the Depot is a "2522" locomotive with caboose that was set on the rails on the grounds in 2008. Later, the Wohlgemuth house, a family in the Major County area, was moved to the grounds, which sits where a farm house did sit. Two churches from Ames, Oklahoma and a saw mill have been put in. One of the churches is open for weddings and recently held an Easter service. A blacksmith shop is on the land, which is used on Ag. Day when a blacksmith visits to teach the school children. A one room school house is also on the land. A Veterans Memorial with flagpoles is next to the complex building. Also, a pavilion and bathhouse have been built. More modern buildings at the Major County Historical Society include a Two Cylinder Building that houses threshing machines, wagons, a corn picker, and sheller. The Agriculture building houses farm machinery dating from the first half of the 20th century. The "Made in Major County" Building houses exhibits that were made in Major County for resale. Our Oklahoma Centennial Park- sixty-four characters depicts several scenes from pioneer life on the prairie.