Exploring Oklahoma with Children
Spring over to Shawnee For sunshine, art & culture ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY DEBBIE MURNAN
After a long stretch of cold winter days, I bet your family, like mine, is ready for new adventures. Not too far from home, Shawnee is a unique, multicultural gem located just 45 minutes east of the Oklahoma City metro. Easily accessible via I-40, take a family road trip to Shawnee this spring to enjoy sunshine at the brand new KidSpace Park, experience rich history and culture at area museums and indulge in tasty eats. Shortly after the Civil War, the area around Shawnee was settled by several Native American tribes, including the Kickapoo, Sac and Fox, Shawnee and Potawatomi, and by the late 1800s, the city’s continued growth and prosperity was fueled by the railroad industry. This rich history is captured beautifully throughout several of the museums found in Shawnee today. Plus, outdoor fun abounds, including at one of Oklahoma’s newest playgrounds, and unique dining experiences combine fresh seasonal favorites with live music and crafting. Spring Break is right around the corner, so hop in the car for an easy weekend excursion to experience these highlights of Shawnee.
(ABOVE) SEE A WIGWAM AT THE CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER AND (BELOW) HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AT POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY MUSEUM.
History & museums The Santa Fe Depot , built in 1902, is a perfect place to kick off a historical tour of Shawnee. This unique depot was built with limestone blocks and features a 60-foot turret, reminiscent of a castle. After operations ceased in 1971, the property was handed over to the Pottawatomie County Historical Society to be remodeled and managed as a railroad and historical museum. While the interior of the depot is closed to the public, it still serves as a visible reminder of the city’s dependence on trains back in the late 1800s. On the depot’s grounds, visitors can tour a historic tiny cabin, the first house built in Shawnee and once the home of Etta and Henry Beard, pioneers who helped shape Oklahoma. You can also visit the Pottawatomie County Museum to see the vibrant and diverse history through artifacts collected during Shawnee’s settlement. A children’s play area includes trains, games and imaginative role-play spaces. Next up, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center is a recently renovated museum that exists to preserve the Potawatomi culture and educate the community on their traditions and history. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is the ninth largest tribe in the United States, and this cultural center features incredible interactive exhibits focused on their early
DON’T MISS THE EGYPTIAN MUMMIES AT THE MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART!
28 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2024
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