We've added three new books for sale to our online bookstore.  These books are also available in our bookstore at Talbot Library and Museum in Colcord, Oklahoma.

Book #2 - "Wagoner, Oklahoma" by Liz McMahan in the  Images of America Series, Arcadia Publishing
Wagoner is a city incorporated in Indian Territory, Jan. 4, 1896 on the dividing line of the Cherokee and Creek Nations, and intersections of two railways, MKT and Kansas & AR. It was, for many years, known as the “Queen City of the Prairies”.  It is the county seat of Wagoner County. 
Click here to order and get more info: Wagoner, Oklahoma

Book #3 - "Muskogee, Oklahoma" by Roger Bell in the Images of America Series, Arcadia Publishing
Muskogee Station was a depot established in 1872, a few miles south of the confluence of the Arkansas, Grand and Verdigris Rivers in Indian Territory. A settlement quickly developed nearby and was named Muskogee. By turn of the century it was center of political and commercial activity in the Territory. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, named for the Muskogee(Creek) tribe.

Click here to order and get more info: Muskogee, Oklahoma

On May 1, the Talbot Library and Museum hosted Board Members from the National Trail of Tears Association (TOTA).  The TOTA members were having a meeting in West Siloam Springs and then came over to Talbot for a reception and tour of the Talbot facilities.

Talbot Board Members Donna Clark, Sue Londagin, and Glenita Guthrie hosted along with Jennifer Davis and Sue's niece, Terra.  The reception had about 30 people in attendance and was held in the Springtown Schoolhouse on the Talbot Library property.  Food was furnished by OK Trail of Tears Association and  catered by Heart & Soul Kitchen in Kansas, OK.

A great time was had making contacts, sharing information, and fellowship. 

For those interested, the National Trail of Tears Association (www.nationaltota.com) will be having a meeting in West Siloam Springs at the Casino on October 16-18, 2023.

​Interested in Cherokee History? Join us at Talbot Library and Museum for a 12-hour series called Cherokee Nation: A History of Resilience".

​This free Cherokee Nation class will be held at the Talbot Library and Museum from 1-4 PM on June 20 & 21 and June 27 & 28.
The classes will be held in our Springtown Schoolhouse on the grounds of the Talbot Library and Museum. Our research library and book store will also be open 8AM-4PM on those days!

Scan the QR code below on flyer or go to https://www.visitcherokeenation.com/history-classes to get more  information and to register for this series. You will also find information on other locations and times for the series.

We hope to see you there!!

This is a very interesting, newly released (2023) book about Chief John Ross.

​This book views the Civil War from the Cherokee capital at Tahlequah in Indian Territory. However, it is not a book about the Civil War. By allowing the Cherokees to tell their own story, we learn that many of the events that took place in Indian Territory between 1861 and 1865 had little to do with the Civil War per se. It becomes an epic tale of how the Cherokee Nation and its leader John Ross withstood the onslaught of white America in an attempt to protect tribal autonomy during the nineteenth century

W. Dale Weeks is History Instructor at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas, and has does extensive research for the book, which includes maps, bibliography, notes and index. Also, it would be of interest to any researcher of Indian Territory, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Civil War history. Hardcover, 231 pages. $32.95
This book is also available for sale at the Talbot Library and Museum.
​You can order online at this link!

Our latest issue of TL&M Genealogy Magazine was recently released. This issues includes a fun story and great travel through time at the Twin Springs ranch in Delaware County near Flint Creek!
Also included in this issue:
*A story about Lona Whitmire Mason and the recent collection of her teaching materials donated to Talbot Library and Museum
*Historical information on Oklahoma and Adair Counties in 1907
*Resources and information on the Charles F. Colcord Collection at OU
*And so much more!
We appreciate all of our contributors to the TL&M magazine!
Subscriptions are $20/year with 2 issues per year. Individual copies are $10 each. If you'd like to subscribe, please contact us at talbotlibrary@earthlink.net
You may also purchase our back issues of TL&M. More information for purchasing back issues is found here: https://www.talbotlibrary.org/tlm-genealogy-magazine.html
The list of contents of back issues are found here:
https://www.talbotlibrary.org/contents-of-past-tlm-issues...

Take a look at the latest book added to our online and in store library.  
​
The History of Schools in Delaware County, Oklahoma was published by the Delaware County Genealogical Society in 2007.  This book was first published in 1986 by Bessie Duggan and reprinted with added information in 2007.  The book is Paperback, 262 pages, & with index and photos.

This is a valuable research source for Delaware County and those interested in the history of schools in this area.
The book is $20 and is available online or in our store in Colcord, Oklahoma which is inside the the Talbot Library and Museum.

Grace L Puffinbarger, who was a longtime employee of Talbot Library and Museum, passed away on January 5, 2023 at the age of 92.  Grace was so much more than an employee.  She was a friend to all at Talbot and pleasantly greeted everyone who visited the Talbot Library and Museum.   She was 'Miss Talbot Library & Museum" at several of the Colcord Old Settlers Day Parades and rode in her own "Miss TL&M" golf cart.
Grace was such a joy to talk to and had an energy and spirit about her that was so much younger than her years.   We, at Talbot, are so grateful to have known her and will miss her.​

Obituary:

Grace L Puffinbarger:
January 28, 1930 — January 5, 2022, Colcord, Oklahoma

Grace L. Puffinbarger, age 92, of Colcord, OK passed away on Thursday, January 5th, 2023, at her home. Grace was born on January 28th, 1930, in Monmouth, IL, the daughter of the late Murray Lee and Nellie Doris (Kell) Bell of Aledo, IL.

She married Harley Vern Puffinbarger in Colorado Springs, CO, who preceded her in death on January 25th, 1975.

She was of the Presbyterian faith. As many know, she was a very hard working woman; she worked as a cook, security guard, waited tables, and cleaned houses and businesses. Her passion was meeting and talking to people, so of all her employment, being a school grandma and working at Talbot museum were her favorites. She held a very special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many in the community knew her as Grandma Grace. Grace was also a hard fighter having been a cancer survivor as well.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Nellie Bell; husband Harley Vern; and sister Martha Wagner.

She is survived by her one daughter, Gwen Whitmire and husband Steve of Colcord, OK; her son Harley Puffinbarger and wife Luann of Adair, OK; an extra daughter, Ethel Littlefield: a sister, Marilyn Swanson of Geneseo, IL; brother Lee Earl Bell and wife Linda of Aledo, IL; grandkids Stephanie Turner and fiancé Brad Harris, Jerad Whitmire, Dustin Puffinbarger and wife Ashley, Daren Puffinbarger, Shawndell Schreiber and husband Mike, and Nick Frost; 14 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, AR.

A Graveside Service will be held Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 2:00 pm, at Johnson Cemetery in West Siloam Springs.
The arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, AR.

(Grace's Obituary can also be found at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home website.)

Mark Your Calendars, Veterans!  And please plan to join us on Friday,  November 11, 2022. Thank you for your service to our country!