Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum to Host “Let’s Talk About It” Book Discussion Series

The Pawnee Bill Mansion

PAWNEE, Okla. — Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum in Pawnee has partnered with Oklahoma Humanities (OH) to host OH’s book discussion series “Let’s Talk About It.” The book club meetings will take place as monthly in-person and online gatherings at the museum on Blue Hawk Peak and will feature a different book title each month from July to November.

All five of the books in the program have the overarching theme of the historical cowboy—the hired man on horseback who rode the ranges and trails of the post–Civil War West. The readings for this program may help to explain the primacy of the cowboy over all other western types from the 19th century. Each month, a scholar will give a 45-minute synopsis on the chosen book. After the synopsis, the scholar will lead an open forum discussion with the participants.

All of the events in the book discussion series will begin at 6:30 pm on the following dates: 

• July 16: “Cowboy Life: Reconstructing an American Myth” (1975) by William W. Savage Jr.
• August 20: “The Virginian” (1902) by Owen Wister
• September 17: “The Log of a Cowboy: A Narrative of the Old Trail Days” (1903) by Andy Adams
• October 15: “Monte Walsh” (1963) by Jack Schaefer
• November 19: “Lonesome Dove” (1985) by Larry McMurtry

This program is free to the public. The museum will provide all the books, refreshments and the venue. All participants need to bring is the desire to add to the discussion. Anyone can participate and may check out the books at the museum. The Pawnee Bill Ranch will have copies for purchase if participants wish to keep a copy of the books in the series. For more information, call 918-762-2513 or come by the museum to sign up for the program and take home the latest book in the “Let’s Talk About It” series. The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum is located at 1141 Pawnee Bill Road in Pawnee.

Funding for this program is provided in part by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH.

The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites, and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.