Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield

02/24/2026

Good morning! We wanted to remind you all that the battlefield will be closed Tuesday (Feb 24)- Wednesday (Feb 25) for staff training and professional development.

We will re-open at 9am on Thursday! See you then!

10/28/2025

We are open normal hours this week (Tuesday, Oct. 28th -Saturday, October 31st, 9am-4:30pm)!

But we are quickly approaching our reenactment week! So, we wanted to give you a heads up that our hours will look a little different November 4th-11th.

Come see us!

10/24/2025

10/24/2025

Only 2 weeks to go until reenactment weekend 2025!

We just totaled up our Education Day numbers, and we have... *drumroll, please*🥁🥁

1,863 students! We aren't joking either, what are the chances that the number of kiddos matches the year that the battle of Honey Springs was fought?!

While this number makes us smile, we would absolutely love to have even more! Registration is still open until November 6th, and we would love to have your school/homeschool group join us!

Details:
On Friday, November 7, students from schools across the state will have the opportunity to explore numerous education stations teaching topics related to the Civil War in Indian Territory and the battle itself. Living historians will demonstrate military drills, cooking techniques, everyday activities for soldiers, and civilian life. Numerous sutlers will be selling 19th-century reproduction military equipment, clothing, books, and souvenirs. Food vendors also will be on-site. Education Day is free to school/homeschool groups but we ask you to preregister. Education Day activities are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pre-registration is required, visit Okhistory.org/honeysprings for additional details and registration!

08/08/2025

We are 91 days, 22 hours, and 30 minutes away from this year's reenactment (not that we're counting or anything 😉).

We are going to have so much for you to enjoy and explore at this event! A reenactment of the Battle of Honey Springs, sutler row, food vendors, education stations, and more!

The site will be open from 9-4:30 on Saturday (8th) and 9-3 on Sunday (9th)! The reenactment scenario will begin at 1 p.m. on both days*.

Admission cost will be $10 per-person (Under age 12 will be free).

Education Day is open to school groups only (see previous post for more details).

*These details are subject to change

07/31/2025

Hope you’ll join us Honey Springs Battlefield and Visitor Center in November!

Are you a reenactor interested in participating, a school interested in our education day (Nov. 7th), or a sutler interested in setting up at this event?

Check out the registration and application forms on our website!

The reenactment will be November 8-9th! Education Day (Open only to School and Homeschool groups) is on November 7th!

No registration is required for visitors. We hope you'll join us in November!

First time reenactors please note: The battlefield is not responsible for outfitting anyone for this event. The best way to get involved in the reenactment (or reenacting in general) is to get connected with a reenacting unit. Once you are connected, your unit will help you prepare for the event.

07/24/2025

Our memorial event has come and gone, but we are far from finished with this year's programming!

Next up: The Cherokee Nation in the Civil War, presented by David Fowler!

Mr. Fowler is the regional director of the Oklahoma Historical Society (Eastern Region) and is an amazing educator of Cherokee History.

You won't want to miss this awesome program on August 16th at 1 p.m.! You can also check out our calendar of events at OkHistory.org/honeysprings to see more upcoming programs!

07/18/2025

Today marks the 162 anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs!

The Battle of Honey Springs was the largest of more than 107 documented hostile encounters in Indian Territory. The engagement took place on a rainy Friday, July 17, 1863, between the First Division Army of the Frontier, commanded by Major General James G. Blunt, and the Confederate Indian Brigade led by Brigadier General Douglas H. Cooper.

Gen. Blunt marched a force of 3,000 Union troops to a Confederate Depot under the command of Gen. Cooper located at Honey Springs. At 10:00 a.m., the two armies met north of Elk Creek at Honey Springs. For two hours, troops fought in hand-to-hand combat along the creek bed resulting in a stalemate. The tide then turned as the Union 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment forced a Confederate retreat across Elk Creek Bridge. The battle ended south of the creek at the Confederate depot around 2:00 p.m. The Union victory at Honey Springs resulted in Federal control of Indian Territory throughout the remainder of the Civil War.

While our biennial reenactment is held in November (Nov. 8-9, 2025), we will be holding a memorial program on Saturday, July 19th, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the men who fought in the Battle of Honey Springs.

07/18/2025