Hunter's Home

08/31/2026

Let's bust another myth this Monday!

The phrase "sleep tight" refers to making sure the ropes of your bed are tightened, thus ensuring a restful sleep.

This a delightful phrase but is unfortunately not historically correct.

The word "tight" actually comes from the 16th - 17th century meaning "soundly" or "securely". When it is combined with the word "sleep", it means to sleep soundly or sleep well. It is similar to the phrase "sit tight". You don't tighten a chair, but you sit securely upon it.

The first mention of the phrase "sleep tight" was in a poem from 1866, after the use of rope beds, thus making the phrase irrelevant to a rope strung bed.

Today we use the phrase "sleep tight" in the accurate sense by wishing someone to have a good night's sleep.

08/30/2026

Given the heat wave we have been experiencing lately, it seemed like a good time to talk about how people stayed cool in hot weather in the 19th century.

There were several methods to beating the heat including:

*Utilizing sleeping porches. Sleeping outdoors allowed any breezes to blow over you, hopefully cooling you off.
*Having high ceilings in your house. Hot air rises, so it was naturally hotter near the ceiling than the floor. Also, by opening the upper part of windows, the hot air could escape.
*Moving to a cooler area for the summer, such as a coastal town or somewhere in the country away from crowded and hot cities. This was usually only an option for the wealthy, however.
*Changing to lighter weight cotton and linen fabrics for clothing.
*Utilizing a summer kitchen separated from the house or cooking meals outdoors.
*Doing work in the early mornings and early evenings after the sun went down and the temperatures were cooler.
*Utilizing cross breezes within the house. By lining up doors and windows, a breeze could flow through a house cooling it off.
*Making use of shutters to block the sun yet allowing breezes to enter the house. Also at night, the windows could remain open with the shutters protecting the inhabitants, even in a rainstorm, while allowing the cool night air to enter the home.
*Eating cooling foods like cucumbers and watermelon and eating lighter meals.

08/28/2026

It's one week until the 74th annual Cherokee National Holiday!

Be sure to check out www.thecherokeeholiday.com for a full schedule and list of activities throughout the weekend.

Also, remember that Hunter's Home will be open all weekend, including Sunday September 6th, with free admission. Hours are 9-4:30 daily and we are located at 19479 E. Murrell Home Rd., Park Hill, OK.

The Cherokee National Holiday commemorates the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Nation Constitution. It is celebration of our shared history.

08/27/2026

Most of the furniture in Hunter's Home are original family pieces. Take this china cabinet for example.

This piece originally belonged to George Murrell's father. George possibly inherited it from his father at the time of his death in 1842. Originally two individual pieces, it was combined into one as some point with Rococo details added to bring it "up to date". Much like we redo furniture today to reflect current trends, so did our ancestors, and this is a perfect example of that.

08/26/2026

In honor of National Dog Day, we are going to share with you how Hunter's Home's favorite dog got his name!

On April 22, 1850, Emily Murrell Jaranigan wrote in her diary the following:

"...Uncle G(eorge) went to Tahlequah...also brought a most beautiful Grey Hound calls him "Milo", he follows me everywhere."

While our Milo may not be a Grey Hound, he is the most beautiful Aussie, and he definitely follows us everywhere!

I guess he was appropriately named!

08/25/2026

As many of you who follow the Oklahoma Historical Society's social media know, a lot of exciting things are happening at the field sites throughout the state. Hunter's Home's turn comes in 2027.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes right now including removing the fencing around one of pastures in preparation.

Keep following us as we get closer to 2027 to learn more about this exciting time at Hunter's Home!

08/24/2026

In honor of National Waffle Day, we are reposting one of our favorite Food Friday posts from 2024!

08/23/2026

We don't always get human visitors at Hunter's Home.

We recently had a visit from this Mississippi Kite. He was a little bruised and disorientated from recent storms and stopped by to rest for a while. After some R&R on the bannister, he flew away to parts unknown. We had an enjoyable visit while it lasted though!

P.S. - Yes. That is Muffin in the background. She was very respectful though and only observed our visitor from a distance.

08/22/2026

Here's a picture to remind you that cooler days are ahead!

08/21/2026

Here are some fun facts for your Friday!

Did you know Hunter's Home has an apiary? An apiary is a bee yard where honeybees are kept. Our bees are quiet and busy additions to our site.

Here are some interesting bee facts:

Honey is the only insect-created food with therapeutic, medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic value.
Honey never expires due to its low moisture content (17-18%) and high acidity (pH