Friday, May 20, 2011

Harn Homestead

May 20 -  Storms were pretty vicious last night.  I don't think I went to sleep until after 3:00am.


Yesterday we visited the Harn Homestead -- we really enjoyed our visit


The Harn Homestead is an Oklahoma treasure that celebrates the territorial history of Oklahoma offering a “hands-on” and “minds-on” experience. Visitors share in the abundance of a territorial farm, the brilliance of a one-room school house, the grace of a Victorian home, and the waste-not want-not ethic of a territorial farm family. There is no place else in Oklahoma that can offer this experience which captures the spirit of the brave men, women, and children who settled this state.
The History of the Harn Homestead spans over 100 years. After the Land Run of April 22, 1889 in the Oklahoma Territory, there were many disputes over land claims so President Benjamin Harrison appointed Mr. William Fremont Harn to be a special land commissioner in Oklahoma Territory to settle these disputes.
Mr. Harn and his wife, Alice, moved to Oklahoma Territory and bought 160 acres on which the William Fremont Harn Gardens, Inc., known as the Harn Homestead, exists today. Through his experience as a claims adjuster, Mr. Harn knew the value of land and became one of the early developers of Oklahoma City. Mr. Harn purchased land near downtown Oklahoma City and developed several neighborhoods. Most notable is Harndale, now known as Heritage Hills and features some of Oklahoma City’s oldest homes. Many are currently on the National Register of Historic Places.


The Harn Homestead & 1889ers Museum.

 The land was acquired in the 1889 land run but the original owners sold it to Mr. Harn, a lawyer from Ohio, who was sent to OK by the presendent to oversee the land owners claims.

Mrs Harn was an artist and four of her art works are displayed on the walls. After a few years she wanted to go back to Ohio.  She was tired of living in a small cabin.  Mr. Harn ordered a Sears home to make her happy.  The home was very interesting to visit.




Home bought from Sears




Another home on the grounds. 


I was a little surprised to find an indoor pump.


Glenn said as a boy they didn't have an indoor pump. 


Other old buildings on the property.






Ok....here is a quiz...what is it?




3 comments:

  1. Alrighty! I am guessing it is some sort of feeders for some sort of animal. Other than that, I have no idea.

    Dad looks like he is making himself right at home in the kitchen. I am guessing he couldn't just let the cast iron sit there with out looking at its markings. (giggle)

    That pump is awesome!

    I adore Sears homes! They are quaint.

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  2. Carmen....you are right. They would feed the cows while they were milked. On the other side is a post to hang the milk buckets.

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  3. Stubbled across your blog looking for a good photo of the Harn House. So glad you enjoyed the Homestead. It's wonderful! Enjoy OK and if you haven't been to the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, add it to your list.

    Courtney, Norman, OK

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