ENID, Okla. — A new temporary exhibit, “Firefighting in the Strip,” will open at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center on Friday, September 29, 2017. This new exhibit on the history of firefighting in northwest Oklahoma will be on display in the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Gallery through Saturday, November 4, 2017. “Firefighting in the Strip,” was researched, written and developed by the staff of the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. "The firefighters of northwest Oklahoma have a large variety of responsibilities. They are a proud and hard-working group of men and women. I've learned a great deal about their job during the creation of this temporary exhibit," said Sarah Hardaway, Curator of Collections.
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The “Firefighting in the Strip,” exhibit celebrates and pays honor to the men and women who have risen to meet the challenges of protecting the people and the land of northwest Oklahoma from the danger of fires past to present. Northwest Oklahoma offers a unique challenge to firefighting as it spans protecting property ranging from urban to rural as well as diverse industry including agriculture and energy. The exhibit explores the formation of various community fire departments, the equipment, uniforms and transportation used, and calls on experts in various areas of the firefighting spectrum to share unique stories and artifacts that reflect the history of how firefighting has progressed from its beginnings of necessity to present day.
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To kick-off the “Firefighting in the Strip” exhibit, the Heritage Center will hold Big Red Truck Day on Saturday, September 30, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a number of vintage fire trucks on display in Humphrey Heritage Village along with a hot dog lunch available by donation. The Enid Fire Department will be on hand for families to learn about a current working fire engine. Some of the Vintage Fire trucks included in the display will be an early 1930s Model A Fire Truck from the Aline Fire Department, a 1951 fire truck and a 1935 REO Speed Wagon fire truck from the Enid Fire Department and a 1918 American LaFrance fire truck.
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Admission to the “Firefighting in the Strip,” exhibit and Big Red Truck Day is included in museum admission. Adult admission is $6, students are $3. Heritage Center members, Veterans and those with a Military ID are free. The Heritage Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. - Sat. For more information on the exhibit or becoming a Heritage Center member, please contact the Heritage Center at 580-237-1907 or www.csrhc.org. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is located at 507 S. 4th Street in Enid, Oklahoma.
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The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center 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. 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 www.okhistory.org.
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Big Red Truck Day
