Marland’s Grand Home to present program on History of Fox Hunting

Descendant of the Marland red foxes shown at the Conoco refinery, approximately ten years ago.

Marland’s Grand Home will present a Listen and Learn program on the History of Fox Hunting in Ponca City from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.

E.W. Marland, founder and chief officer of the Marland Oil Company of 1916, imported the red fox.  Marland was originally from Pennsylvania, where these particular foxes thrive. English by ancestry, Marland loved “all things British” and fox hunting was no exception.

Major Donald Henderson, of the British Army, was known as Master of the Fox Hounds and instructed “The Horsey Set”, as they were called in the 1920s, in fox hunting.  Marland also brought the sport of polo to Ponca City.

Marland fox hunting party east of Ponca City, approximately 1927.

Speakers for the September presentation will include Detten and Doris Degner-Foster from Tulsa’s Harvard Hunt Club.

Degner-Foster has been riding to the hounds for many years and continues the sport annually, albeit mostly for show and not for hunting purposes. The Harvard Hunt Club conducts imaginary hunts during the fall season.  Degner-Foster has also authored several articles on the horse culture.

Degner-Foster will present the history of British fox hunting and speak to what her club now does in Tulsa. She will reference the clothing worn and the purpose of each article, rules of the hunt, and how it first originated in England.

Detten will present on fox hunting in Ponca City during the 1920s with photos of the Marland hunts and other related items on display.

Marland’s Grand Home is a restored historic site and E. W. Marland’s first mansion in Ponca City.  Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Self-guided tours are available.

For more information on the Marland Grand Home go to the web site at marlandgrandhome.com and “Like” the Marland’s Grand Home Facebook page.