By JORDAN EVANS
Staff Reporter
The city of Alva has enjoyed a rich and vibrant history this history was brought to life through the citizens who embodied the people of its past.
The Cherokee Strip Museum hosted “A Night at the Museum,” Saturday. This is the first of two nights that the Cherokee Strip Museum will host this event. “A Night at the Museum” returns Saturday. The event begins at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 for children and $5 for adults.
“A Night at the Museum” featured various living, historical characters who told tales about various historical events, people and devices that influenced the Alva area.
The tour is comprised of historical figures such as a Nazi of the Alva Prisoner of War Camp, played by Arden Chaffee, and one of the prison guards represented by James Wiebener. There were informational sections that described the appliances of an early 20th century kitchen and a 1940s hair salon.
Choir instructor Karsten Longhurst explained the background of the Northwestern Alma Mater and the Ride, Rangers, Ride fight song. He then performed the Alma Mater for the audience.
A true delight was to see Rose Blunk and Wes Smith as Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. Eleanor described her trip to Alva to dedicate Jesse Dunn, which was built as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal. The pair was witty and clearly had fun representing the former President and First Lady.
The tour also displayed the museum’s Train Room, Hospital Room, Fireman’s Room, Ranger Room, Lincoln Room and many more.
“The museum boasts one of the best collections of pioneer exhibits and Indian art and artifacts in the state,” as stated on www.travelok.com. “It features 40 rooms displaying the history of Alva and the Cherokee Strip, such as an old school room, drug store, kitchen, Indian room, Presidential room, Army room and a P. O.W. camp.”
If interested in attending, one can find tickets at Holder Drug, Alva’s Market, Merrifield’s Office Supply or the Cherokee Strip Museum.