Fort comes alive with history, holiday

By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer

July 05, 2008 12:23 am

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History came to life Friday at the Fort at Fort Gibson.
It was clad in the rich colors of period costumes, announced in the somber tones of people representing historic characters, accompanied by horns and drums, and capped off with the thunder of an old cannon.
The event was called “The Fourth at the Fort.” Dozens of people attended the Independence Day celebration hosted by the 6th Infantry Living History Association and the Oklahoma Historical Society.
John Lehman, a 1972 graduate of Muskogee High School who now lives in Philadelphia, was there with his wife Christine, daughter Ellen, and son Carl.
“We didn’t know exactly what to expect,” he said. “They have a terrific staff and volunteers giving us this glimpse back in time, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence.”
Lehman said he and his family live about 10 blocks from the original Independence Hall in Philadelphia, but came to Oklahoma for an annual event held by his parents; Ray and Margaret Ann Lehman.
He added that he was pleased that The Fourth at the Fort featured old-fashioned games for their kids, who are ages 4 and 2.
The oldest, Ellen, announced that the cannon was impressive but it didn’t worry her.
“It wasn’t loud enough to scare me,” she said.
Christine Lehman said she and her husband want their kids to grasp the importance of history.
“We want to start early explaining it to them,” she said. “I think Ellen is beginning to understand that this wasn’t a state at the time, and the soldiers where here to protect the U.S. interests.”
The reading of the Declaration of Independence was done by Phil Sample, a history professor from Rogers State University. He was dressed in full historic formal costume including white gloves, as were several other volunteers and fort staff who represented the Second Continental Congress.
After the reading, everyone walked outside for the cannon firing and some punch and cookies.
Bill and D. Bagwell of Fort Gibson said they have volunteered for the fort for more than 12 years. For Friday’s event, they were dressed as an officer and his wife.
Bill Bagwell said he portrayed a captain in the 1st U.S. Dragoons.
“They were the first multi-faceted fighting force,” he said. “The fought on horse back and dismounted, and they operated artillery. I ride, and I like the horses.”
D. Bagwell said she got drawn into the drama of the past while working at the Murrell Home in Tahlequah.
“I was interested in preservation,” she said. “Then I began to realize that living history was a good educational tool. I do it for that reason.”

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