Exploring OK: Mummies, Cars, and Beaches Near I-40

This is a quiz. In what Oklahoma city can you see a Citizen Potawatomi leather wedding dress and an Egyptian mummy, pick lavender, and sip excellent Oklahoma wine? Only in Shawnee. Just 35 minutes west of the Metro, this thriving city offers indoor activities that beat the heat and a family-friendly outdoor activity area.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) Cultural Heritage Center museum, 1899 S Gordon Cooper Drive, was dedicated on January 6, 2006. This 36,000-square-foot building houses the museum, a library, language classroom, meeting hall, and genealogical archives. The CPN museum was created to “promote in the public mind a fuller understanding of the historic role the CPN has played and continues to play in the cultural, political, and economic history of North America.” The museum has permanent cultural exhibits of important tribal artifacts and revolving exhibits. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-6pm, admission is free. Call 800-880-9880 for more information or visit Potawatomi.org.

Santa Fe Depot Museum

What is now a museum was, in 1907, one of the busiest railroad depots in the U.S., servicing an average of 42 passenger trains and 67 freight trains a day. Opened as a museum in 1982, the castle-like structure, located at 614 E Main Street, houses exhibits on prairie life, railroad memorabilia, and Native American culture in the region—including the leather wedding dress mentioned above. The first log cabin built in Shawnee is on the grounds. The Beard Cabin was constructed in 1891 and was moved to its present location in 1999. The museum is open Tuesday- Saturday, 10am-4pm, and Sunday, 2-4pm, (closed Monday). There is no charge for admission, leaving more for spending at the gift shop which features pioneer items. For more information, call 275-8412 or visit SantaFeDepotMuseum.org.

Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art

Just across town on the St. Gregory’s College campus is the oldest art museum in Oklahoma. The Mabee-Gerrer, founded in 1914 by Father Gregory Gerrer, contains one of the best collections of ancient art in the state. Focusing on art that inspires, the museum houses four permanent collections: Old World Antiquities; Egyptian Artifacts; Medieval, Renaissance & Baroque Art; and 18th and 19th century European and American Art. But children always want to go immediately to the mummy exhibit. The display of human and animal mummies is well designed and informative.

Through October 29, the museum offers an exhibit called Kites of Kyushu: The Art of Japanese Kitemaking. They will host a Sister Cities Kite Festival on September 16. Don’t miss the opportunity to create your own kite on September 23 from 1-3pm. The Mabee Gerrer is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, 1-4pm, (closed Monday). Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for students with valid student IDs and children 6-17; children under 6 are free. Visit mgmoa.org or call 878-5133 for more information.

Country Cottage Primitives and Lavender Farm

Looking for a mother-daughter outing? The Lavender Farm is the perfect place.

Started as a hobby by Debbi Seaton, the Lavender Farm has become a favorite stop in Shawnee where the lavender blooms from the beginning of June through the first hard frost. Debbi keeps the cottage stocked with every craft item you can make with lavender, as well as lavender cakes, and lavender lemonade. Don’t pass up the lavender cheesecake! Debbi’s husband creates handmade Shaker furniture, and you can purchase his work at the cottage. The Lavender Farm is open Monday-Saturday 10am-5:30pm. Call 275-3238 or 275-4350 for more information.

Parsons Vineyard and Winery

Joe Rick Parsons is proud of his wine—and he should be. It is made with grapes grown on his Oklahoma land and bottled in his Shawnee winery. Open Monday-Saturday from 1-6pm, this 4,000-square-foot winery produces white and red wines from sweet to dry. Visitors enjoy the ambiance, free samples, and wines to take home. Joe recommends the Villard Noir or the Seyval Blanc. Call 395-9178 or visit ParsonsVineyardAndWinery.com for a full listing of the winery’s events.

Wes Watkins Reservoir

One of the newest lakes in Oklahoma, the Wes Watkins Reservoir has quickly become known for its excellent bass fishing. The area also features boat ramps, primitive camping facilities, and picnic and swimming areas. Call 275-9780 for more information.

7th Annual Midwest Bluegrass Festival

Shawnee hosts the Midwest Bluegrass Festival on August 25 and 26. The host band this year is High Ground—other bands, including Boggy River, Cedar Ridge, Shady Grove Ramblers, will also be featured. The festival is held at the CPN Powwow Campground under the roundhouse, so bring your lawn chairs. The fun kicks off Friday night, 6:30-midnight, and again on Saturday from noon-midnight. Concessions will be available. Tickets are $8 for Friday night, $12 for Saturday; a weekend pass is $18; children under 12 are free with a paid adult. Call 405-391-2338 or visit Geocities.com/TommieHoward for details.

For All Things Shawnee, see VisitShawnee.com.

Pam Washington is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended family of five children.