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Red Dirt to Riches
General Description
An Oklahoma City tour package featuring the Overholser Mansion, Oklahoma Heritage Center and the Harn Homestead & 1889ers Museum. Designed for groups of 30 or more.
Discover how the pioneer spirit transformed this red dirt filled prairie into Heritage Hills. This package tour includes three meals, gifts, entertainment and a step-on guide to provide the inside scoop on Oklahoma City's most exclusive and historic neighborhood.
Upon booking the package, provide a list of the names of your individual tour participants and "calling cards" will be made for each person. Presenting these cards was the tradition of the times and your tour participant can show them to the greeter of each home to be granted admittance.
Your morning begins at the Overholser Mansion, the 1903 Victorian home of social and civic leader, Henry Overholser. A professional re-enactor portraying "Mrs. Anna Overholser" greets your group, views the calling cards and invites you into her home for the grand tour. The home was the first mansion in Oklahoma City, and is built in late 19th century Victorian architecture and houses original furnishings and hand-painted, canvas-covered walls. Each person will be presented a copy of Mrs. Overholser's biography, before strolling over to the charming "Carriage House" for a light breakfast of danishes, rolls, coffee and juice.
"Mrs. Overholser" joins you on the motorcoach for a special tour of the beautiful homes in her neighborhood. She will share her colorful stories of both the famous and infamous residents of her time.
The Hefner Mansion, now home to the Oklahoma Heritage Center, is your next stop. Present your "calling card" as you enter this elegant 1917 mansion that was the former residence of former State Supreme Court Justice Robert Hefner, who also served as an early day mayor of the city.
Here you will find collections of fine European antiquities such as Louis XVI furnishings, canes, Meissen china, and fine art and tapestries scattered throughout the home.
The original third-floor ballroom now houses the Oklahoma Hall of Fame galleries, including portraits and biographies of famous Oklahomans. A library/conference room overlooks serene gardens and the gift shop offers a variety of books related to early Oklahoma City history.
While at the Mansion, your group will enjoy a box lunch with sandwich and drink; a 10-15 minute speaker and receive a copy of the Oklahoma Heritage video.
The 1889ers Harn Homestead is the final stop on the tour. This historic land was claimed during the Great Land Run of 1889, and provides a direct link to the unique heritage and to the legacies left by the hardy pioneers who carved homes and cities from the Oklahoma prairies.
Forty-acres of the original 160-acre allotment is now the site where the State Capital complex is located. Present your "calling card" for a tour of the farmhouse, which is furnished in typical fashion of the day, and head for the large stone and cedar barn containing exhibits typical of the period. Also, plan on a brief, but fun, Oklahoma history lesson as it would have been presented pre-statehood in the 1889 one-room school. (Beware -- the teacher has a dunce cap and ruler.) Some may want to try typical chores of the day such as raking hay, beating rugs, making butter or cutting potatoes.
Enjoy a chuckwagon dinner and cowboy entertainment for the evening. Brisket, beans, corn muffins, yeast rolls, a drink and dessert are on the menu. Before departing each guest will receive the Apple Cookery cookbook, with 20 recipes for apples written in 1907.
Contact:
For more information or to book this tour package, contact Pat Hensley at (888) 501-2059 ext. 10.
