Watonga, Oklahoma · Est. 1901
Where the rich story of a pioneer life comes alive.
A pioneer newspaper family’s 1901 home in Watonga — a governor’s residence, a working press, and the story of a territory becoming a state.
Plan your visit
Hours
Wednesday – Thursday
12 PM – 4 PM
Friday – Saturday
10 AM to 4 PM
Where
521 N Weigle Ave
Watonga, OK
Call
Watonga, Oklahoma
A newspaper family who helped make a territory a state
T. B. Ferguson, Elva and their two sons arrived in Watonga in October 1892. Within ten days they published the first issue of The Watonga Republican — still in print today. Ferguson was selected to serve as governor of the Territory of Oklahoma 1901-1906. Their 1901 home, the 1883 county jail and an 1880s cavalry building stand together on the museum grounds.
Recent at the Ferguson
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OCT
10
Watonga Cheese Festival
10 October 2026 · 8:00am – 5:00pm
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SEP
23
Services for Esther Arnold, Board Member
23 September 2026 · 10:00am
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AUG
4
Featured Speaker: Kenny Williams, Arapaho member
4 August 2026 · 1:00pm – 3:00pm
From the archive
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Elva Ferguson Highlights Declaration Chamber of Independence Hall for “Sesqui”
First, thank you who visited the Ferguson exhibits on Main Street and/or cheered T.B. and Elva in the 1971 VW in the parade during…
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“Sesqui” Advisory Commission Meets
Elva Ferguson Reports on Advisory Commission Meeting from Philadelphia In the January 28, 1926 edition of The Watonga Republican, Mrs. Ferguson filed a report…
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Elva Ferguson Plans Advisory Commission Duties for Sesquicenntial in Philadelphia
Mrs. T.B. Ferguson (Elva) served as one of two Oklahoma members on the National Advisory Commission for the 1926 Philadelphia Sesquicentennial OK History Elva…
Friends of the Ferguson Home
Help keep the story alive
The museum is cared for by the Friends of the Ferguson Home, a volunteer 501(c)(3). Your gift keeps the house open, the collection conserved, and the programs free for every visitor.