“Washington Irving and the Mounted Rangers” program

About this event

On Saturdays, October 17, 24, and 31, from 10 a.m. to noon, and again from 1 to 4 p.m., the Fort Gibson Historic Site staff will hold a come-and-go living history program to educate the public about early expeditions to Fort Gibson in 1832. That year, author Washington Irving arrived at Fort Gibson, which was the last stop on his journey to explore the western frontier. He also traveled with a unique group of Mounted Rangers. During his time with Captain Bean’s company of Mounted Rangers, Irving gathered the materials for his book A Tour on the Prairies (1835), one of the first written accounts of daily life on the western prairie and one that reached many American readers in the East. Site interpreter Seth Goff will demonstrate the Mounted Rangers’ equipment, some of Irving’s equipment he brought as an author, and survival skills practiced by all expedition members. The program is included with admission. Interested guests should check in at the Palisade admissions office located across the parade square from the entrance gate. This program is conducted outside of climate-controlled areas, so please dress accordingly for October weather.

Description from okhistory.org