On Friday, April 1, 265 Marietta elementary students in third through fifth grades, along with their teachers, principal, and some parents as chaperones, attended the Fort Washita Rendezvous to take a trip back into pre-Civil War era Oklahoma history.
Fort Washita was built in 1842 and served as a U.S. military post, its mission to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes from the Plains Indians. Abandoned in 1865 after the end of the Civil War, Fort Washita is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the days of the Rendezvous, reenactors step back in time to showcase the fort’s history come to life.
Traditionally, the school has taken only its third graders, but because of a two-year pandemic hiatus for field trips and the Rendezvous, the fourth and fifth graders didn’t get to attend during their third-grade year, so they were allowed to tag along, as well.
“The standards in third grade go along with Oklahoma history,” said Principal Dana McMillin, “and Fort Washita brings to life the days of 1850 in Oklahoma.”
The Rendezvous, which makes learning interactive, interesting, and fun, allowed students the opportunity to taste foods like pashofa, a soupy dish prepared with corn, to participate in a traditional Chickasaw stomp dance, and learn about fur trapping and trading – all from people dressed in period costume.
“The students particularly loved the cannon firing, and of course, buying a treasure to return home with as a souvenir,” McMillin added. “We owe our parents that attended with us a huge thank you. They were instrumental in the field trip’s success.”