Oklahoma Historical Society travel contest encourages adventure across the state

The Oklahoma Historical Society is inviting history enthusiasts to explore the state’s rich past with its annual #ExploreOHS Travel Contest.

Participants can visit OHS museums and historic sites across Oklahoma, competing to see who can visit the most locations while uncovering the stories that shaped the state.

Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, joined News 9 to discuss the upcoming contest.

What is this contest about?

"Well, we have so many great historical sites all across Oklahoma, and every March for the past few years, we've been having a travel contest," Thompson said. "In this travel contest, people can visit our 25 museums and sites across the state. They can snap pictures of themselves, tag themselves on X, Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #ExploreOHS, and whoever visits the most sites wins a great prize package."

This contest differs from similar programs that use passports with stamps for each location visited.

"I know there are other organizations that have a passport program, but this is just our way of encouraging people to get out," Thompson said.

The person or group that visits the most OHS sites between March 1 and March 31 will receive a prize pack of OHS merchandise. Winners will also have the option to name a baby bison this spring at the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum or participate in a behind-the-scenes tour of any OHS site, including the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, for up to six people.

How can I get involved?

Since a stamped passport is not required, simply a visit with a corresponding social media post on Facebook, X, or Instagram with the #ExploreOHS hashtag on each post will be sufficient to be eligible to win prizes.

Where can people learn more?

Viewers interested in learning more about the contest can learn more on the OHS official website, on X, on their Facebook page, or on Instagram.

Where are the sites found?

Participants can visit sites like the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, the Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, Spiro Mounds, Fort Gibson, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, and the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.