Busy Season for Rogers County Historical Society

RCHS activities include the Old Home Tour, a Murder Mystery, Downton Abbey Christmas Tea and other exciting changes at Claremore’s Belvidere Mansion.

For the Rogers County Historical Society, the next few months are an exciting time as several events are planned to raise funds for the non-profit organization.
The annual Old Home Tour is set for Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring several historic homes in the downtown Claremore area. “The home tour is an important fundraiser for us,” says Morgan Williams, RCHS vice-president. “The homeowners have put a lot of effort into the renovation of these historic homes.” Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day of the event at the Belvidere Mansion for $12 each. No reservations are required.
On October 23 and 24, a murder mystery written by Jessica Ammons is scheduled. “Death Before Dinner” will include an elegant dinner, wine, dessert and the performance on the third floor of the Belvidere Mansion’s ballroom. Mark Ogle will serve as the Master of Ceremonies, with Grant Driver as director. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Reservations are required. Cost is $50. To reserve your spot, call Patrick Deaver at (918) 688-0651. “This is a completely new murder mystery written especially for the Belvidere,” Deaver says. “A Super Sleuth Award will be presented to the audience member who solves the mystery.”
A Downton Abbey Christmas Tea is set for November 24 at 4 p.m. at the Belvidere during Dickens on the Boulevard festivities. Attendees will enjoy sweets and savories as well as hot tea. Cost is $25 and reservations are required by calling (918) 688-0651. “Guests are encouraged to dress in period costumes, but it isn’t necessary,” says Kathy Wilken, Belvidere Tea Room manager. Costume prizes will be awarded.
The Tea Room is also featuring new desserts by Debra Phillips, who has created exclusive desserts for Rogers State University fundraising auctions. Her signature cakes, truffles, cheesecake in a jar, and more are now available at the Belvidere.
Besides new desserts, the Tea Room is also now offering specialty items on the regular menu in addition to new fare, including shepherd’s pie, enchilada casserole and chicken pot pies. “We’re also adding a new fall chicken salad,” Wilken says. “Tea for Two” has also been added to the menu and is available at all times. For $22, guests can enjoy sweets, savories, and scones, as well as a pot of hot tea.
The RCHS is a nonprofit 501c3 organization which receives no local, state or federal money. All proceeds from the fundraisers go into the restoration and preservation of the Belvidere Mansion and the Totem Pole Park, both owned by RCHS.
RCHS meets the last Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Belvidere. President Hoytanna Benigar says, “We’d love for anyone interested in helping us preserve the Belvidere Mansion as well as the Totem Pole Park to join us.”