FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM

HUGO, OK

Kiamichi Railroad 3801 - Hugo Oklahoma
Kiamichi Railroad 3801 - Hugo Oklahoma Credit: woodyrr

Friends of the Planetarium in Hugo, Oklahoma is an organization dedicated to promoting interest in and appreciation of the science of astronomy and its related fields. The mission of the organization is to educate and entertain the public in the areas of astronomy, space exploration, and related sciences.

The organization was founded in 1989 and since that time has been actively involved in the promotion of astronomy through educational programs and public outreach. They organize and host a variety of events such as star parties, astronomy classes, lectures, planetarium shows, and more. The organization also provides funding for equipment such as telescopes and other scientific instruments.

Friends of the Planetarium also coordinates with local schools to provide educational programs and participate in community events. They host an annual star party which is open to the public and features a variety of activities related to astronomy. Additionally, they provide educational materials to teachers and students at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Friends of the Planetarium also supports local research by providing grants and scholarships to college students who are studying astronomy. The organization is a member of the International Dark Sky Association and works to promote awareness of light pollution and its effects on the environment.

Friends of the Planetarium is a valuable resource for the community of Hugo, Oklahoma and the surrounding area. Through their efforts to educate and promote interest in astronomy, they have helped to foster an appreciation and understanding of the night sky and its wonders.

FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM is a Science & Technology Museums & Planetarium in HUGO OK. US MID #8404000153

The museum is classed as SCI (Science & Technology Museums & Planetariums). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Mount Plains (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming).

Kiamichi Railroad 3801 - Hugo Oklahoma
Kiamichi Railroad Locomotive Facility - Hugo Oklahoma
A TRIBUTE TO ALL SHOWMEN UNDER GOD'S BIG TOP
Perez
Doaksville, OK Wallace and Minerva Willis were slaves who were moved to SE Oklahoma with their Choctaw owners in the 1840s. They have been credited with writing some of the greatest Negro Spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “I’m a Rollin,” and “Steal Away to Jesus.” By all rights the Willises should be two of the most famous and important figures in Oklahoma history. That’s not the case. As far as I can tell, the only commemoration of their lives is on a plaque marking the site of the Old Spencer Academy, which was the first Choctaw school established in Indian Territory and the place where the Willises worked during the Civil War. That plaque is located at the end of a long dirt road literally in front of someone’s yard. It’s believed that the Willises are buried in unmarked graves in Ft Towson Cemetery a few miles southeast of the Old Spencer Academy. That cemetery is located at a remarkable confluence of neglected but significant historical sites. Not only are the Willises (probably) buried there, but behind the cemetery is the ghost town of Doaksville, which was the first town established by the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory. Doaksville was once home to thousands of newly arrived Choctaws. There was a hotel, a jail, and a main street, but now it’s completely gone. The state set up an archeological dig and erected some markers there in the mid-1990s but there’s no activity there now. If that wasn’t enough, Doaksville is also where Stand Watie became the last Confederate General to surrender in the Civil War, more than two months after Appomattox.
Doaksville, OK Wallace and Minerva Willis were slaves who were moved to SE Oklahoma with their Choctaw owners in the 1840s. They have been credited with writing some of the greatest Negro Spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “I’m a Rollin,” and “Steal Away to Jesus.” By all rights the Willises should be two of the most famous and important figures in Oklahoma history. That’s not the case. As far as I can tell, the only commemoration of their lives is on a plaque marking the site of the Old Spencer Academy, which was the first Choctaw school established in Indian Territory and the place where the Willises worked during the Civil War. That plaque is located at the end of a long dirt road literally in front of someone’s yard. It’s believed that the Willises are buried in unmarked graves in Ft Towson Cemetery a few miles southeast of the Old Spencer Academy. That cemetery is located at a remarkable confluence of neglected but significant historical sites. Not only are the Willises (probably) buried there, but behind the cemetery is the ghost town of Doaksville, which was the first town established by the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory. Doaksville was once home to thousands of newly arrived Choctaws. There was a hotel, a jail, and a main street, but now it’s completely gone. The state set up an archeological dig and erected some markers there in the mid-1990s but there’s no activity there now. If that wasn’t enough, Doaksville is also where Stand Watie became the last Confederate General to surrender in the Civil War, more than two months after Appomattox.
Stand Watie's Surrender Striking the final blow against the Confederacy. In Doaksville, OK
Doaksville, OK Wallace and Minerva Willis were slaves who were moved to SE Oklahoma with their Choctaw owners in the 1840s. They have been credited with writing some of the greatest Negro Spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “I’m a Rollin,” and “Steal Away to Jesus.” By all rights the Willises should be two of the most famous and important figures in Oklahoma history. That’s not the case. As far as I can tell, the only commemoration of their lives is on a plaque marking the site of the Old Spencer Academy, which was the first Choctaw school established in Indian Territory and the place where the Willises worked during the Civil War. That plaque is located at the end of a long dirt road literally in front of someone’s yard. It’s believed that the Willises are buried in unmarked graves in Ft Towson Cemetery a few miles southeast of the Old Spencer Academy. That cemetery is located at a remarkable confluence of neglected but significant historical sites. Not only are the Willises (probably) buried there, but behind the cemetery is the ghost town of Doaksville, which was the first town established by the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory. Doaksville was once home to thousands of newly arrived Choctaws. There was a hotel, a jail, and a main street, but now it’s completely gone. The state set up an archeological dig and erected some markers there in the mid-1990s but there’s no activity there now. If that wasn’t enough, Doaksville is also where Stand Watie became the last Confederate General to surrender in the Civil War, more than two months after Appomattox.
Old Spencer Academy Wallace and Minerva Willis were slaves who were moved to SE Oklahoma with their Choctaw owners in the 1840s. They have been credited with writing some of the greatest Negro Spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “I’m a Rollin,” and “Steal Away to Jesus.” By all rights the Willises should be two of the most famous and important figures in Oklahoma history. That’s not the case. As far as I can tell, the only commemoration of their lives is on a plaque marking the site of the Old Spencer Academy, which was the first Choctaw school established in Indian Territory and the place where the Willises worked during the Civil War. That plaque is located at the end of a long dirt road literally in front of someone’s yard. It’s believed that the Willises are buried in unmarked graves in Ft Towson Cemetery a few miles southeast of the Old Spencer Academy. That cemetery is located at a remarkable confluence of neglected but significant historical sites. Not only are the Willises (probably) buried there, but behind the cemetery is the ghost town of Doaksville, which was the first town established by the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory. Doaksville was once home to thousands of newly arrived Choctaws. There was a hotel, a jail, and a main street, but now it’s completely gone. The state set up an archeological dig and erected some markers there in the mid-1990s but there’s no activity there now. If that wasn’t enough, Doaksville is also where Stand Watie became the last Confederate General to surrender in the Civil War, more than two months after Appomattox.
Doaksville, OK Wallace and Minerva Willis were slaves who were moved to SE Oklahoma with their Choctaw owners in the 1840s. They have been credited with writing some of the greatest Negro Spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “I’m a Rollin,” and “Steal Away to Jesus.” By all rights the Willises should be two of the most famous and important figures in Oklahoma history. That’s not the case. As far as I can tell, the only commemoration of their lives is on a plaque marking the site of the Old Spencer Academy, which was the first Choctaw school established in Indian Territory and the place where the Willises worked during the Civil War. That plaque is located at the end of a long dirt road literally in front of someone’s yard. It’s believed that the Willises are buried in unmarked graves in Ft Towson Cemetery a few miles southeast of the Old Spencer Academy. That cemetery is located at a remarkable confluence of neglected but significant historical sites. Not only are the Willises (probably) buried there, but behind the cemetery is the ghost town of Doaksville, which was the first town established by the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory. Doaksville was once home to thousands of newly arrived Choctaws. There was a hotel, a jail, and a main street, but now it’s completely gone. The state set up an archeological dig and erected some markers there in the mid-1990s but there’s no activity there now. If that wasn’t enough, Doaksville is also where Stand Watie became the last Confederate General to surrender in the Civil War, more than two months after Appomattox.
Old Spencer Academy Inscription: "OLD SPENCER ACADEMY OPENED HERE IN JANUARY 1844 This noted school for Choctaw boys, established by the Choctaw Council, was named for John C. Spencer, U.S. Secretary of War. Subjects through High School were taught. The first graduates went to eastern colleges in 1848. Large buildings were erected in a quadrangle here including Jones Hall, Pitchlynn Hall, Armstrong Hall, a school building and dining hall, with houses for employee, storehouses and barns adjacent. It was here at Old Spencer Academy that “Steal Away to Jesus,” “Roll, Jordan, Roll,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” spirituals now sung throughout America, were composed by the old Negro, Uncle Wallace who first sang them with his wife, Aunt Minerva to the delight of all who heard them. The two old slaves were hired out by their owner to work for the Rev. Alexander Reid, Superintendent of Spencer Academy 1851-61. OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 1959" Wallace and Minerva Willis were slaves who were moved to SE Oklahoma with their Choctaw owners in the 1840s. They have been credited with writing some of the greatest Negro Spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “I’m a Rollin,” and “Steal Away to Jesus.” By all rights the Willises should be two of the most famous and important figures in Oklahoma history. That’s not the case. As far as I can tell, the only commemoration of their lives is on a plaque marking the site of the Old Spencer Academy, which was the first Choctaw school established in Indian Territory and the place where the Willises worked during the Civil War. That plaque is located at the end of a long dirt road literally in front of someone’s yard. It’s believed that the Willises are buried in unmarked graves in Ft Towson Cemetery a few miles southeast of the Old Spencer Academy. That cemetery is located at a remarkable confluence of neglected but significant historical sites. Not only are the Willises (probably) buried there, but behind the cemetery is the ghost town of Doaksville, which was the first town established by the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory. Doaksville was once home to thousands of newly arrived Choctaws. There was a hotel, a jail, and a main street, but now it’s completely gone. The state set up an archeological dig and erected some markers there in the mid-1990s but there’s no activity there now. If that wasn’t enough, Doaksville is also where Stand Watie became the last Confederate General to surrender in the Civil War, more than two months after Appomattox.
Old Spencer Academy Wallace and Minerva Willis were slaves who were moved to SE Oklahoma with their Choctaw owners in the 1840s. They have been credited with writing some of the greatest Negro Spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “I’m a Rollin,” and “Steal Away to Jesus.” By all rights the Willises should be two of the most famous and important figures in Oklahoma history. That’s not the case. As far as I can tell, the only commemoration of their lives is on a plaque marking the site of the Old Spencer Academy, which was the first Choctaw school established in Indian Territory and the place where the Willises worked during the Civil War. That plaque is located at the end of a long dirt road literally in front of someone’s yard. It’s believed that the Willises are buried in unmarked graves in Ft Towson Cemetery a few miles southeast of the Old Spencer Academy. That cemetery is located at a remarkable confluence of neglected but significant historical sites. Not only are the Willises (probably) buried there, but behind the cemetery is the ghost town of Doaksville, which was the first town established by the Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory. Doaksville was once home to thousands of newly arrived Choctaws. There was a hotel, a jail, and a main street, but now it’s completely gone. The state set up an archeological dig and erected some markers there in the mid-1990s but there’s no activity there now. If that wasn’t enough, Doaksville is also where Stand Watie became the last Confederate General to surrender in the Civil War, more than two months after Appomattox.

Contact FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM

FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM
603 W JACKSON
HUGO
OK
74743

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FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM Information

MID # 8404000153
Name FRIENDS OF THE PLANETARIUM
Alternate Name
Classification Science & Technology Museums & Planetariums, , Mount Plains
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) 237210300
NTEECC
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM) 201212
INCOME 0
REVENUE 0
LAT/LONG 34.014379, -95.508247
CODES FIPS State Code: 40
FIPS County Code: 023
US Census Tract: 967200
US Census Block: 2069