The Oklahoma History Center is honored to present Kurt Smith in a portrayal of Thomas Jefferson, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Join us for these special public presentations on Monday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 3, at 6 p.m. Programs for school groups are planned for Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Students will have free admission to the museum galleries during their visit, thanks to the Inasmuch Foundation. Limited bus reimbursement funds are available. In addition to the performances at the Oklahoma History Center, Smith will also visit several schools across the state to teach kids about the former president.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the second elected governor of Virginia, the third president of the United States and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Jefferson was also the first secretary of state and second vice president of the United States. Through performance, discussion, and historical interpretation, audiences are invited to explore Jefferson’s life and legacy while reflecting on how the nation’s past continues to shape its present and future. These programs offer the opportunity to study and reflect on 250 years of American history.
Jefferson will be portrayed by Kurt Smith, a dynamic storyteller and historian who has in-depth knowledge of early American history. Smith works for Colonial Williamsburg. Smith says history is more than just the past. He considers it a mirror to the present, reflecting both our triumphs and our challenges. He hopes his presentations encourage others to reflect, learn and grow, ensuring that the lessons of history help shape a better future.
Tickets for the evening performances on March 2 and 3 are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased online through the Museum Store, by phone at 405-522-0765 or at the door on the evening of the event.
Schools who want to attend the presentations in-person at the Oklahoma History Center Museum on March 2 should sign up online to ensure there is space. Requests for outreach at a school should also be submitted online.
This program is part of “By the People: Conversations Beyond 250,” which is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation’s cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as a complement to the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
The Oklahoma History Center Museum is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
This program is funded in part by Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH.
