Mrs. T.B. Ferguson (Elva) served as one of two Oklahoma members on the National Advisory Commission for the 1926 Philadelphia Sesquicentennial OK History Elva Ferguson. Mrs. Ferguson played a pivotal role in the successful Oklahoma Territory exhibit in the 1903-4 Saint Louis World’s Fair. It therefore seemed natural that even a democratic Oklahoma governor would nominate her to be appointed by the President of the United States. I wanted to know more about her involvement and the Oklahoma Exhibit at the 1926 “Sesqui” as it was known.
Plans for Travel to Philadelphia and Washington
The Watonga Republican, with Mrs. Ferguson as editor, has some first-hand accounts in the 1926 issues. Mrs. Ferguson first mentions her role on the National Advisory Commission in the January 14, 1926 issue. Elva mentions she is going to Philadelphia as part of her advisory commission duties to meet on January 20, 1926.
Elva Ferguson and Sam Morley represent Oklahoma on Advisory Commission for “Sesqui”
The advisory commission was prescribed by US law that established the Association of the Sesquicentennial Report of SesquiCentennial. Each state and some territories had two delegates on the advisory commission. Mr. Sam Morley, a banker from McAlester was the other delegate from Oklahoma Sesquicentennial Report. Only seven women served on the advisory Commission of approximately 100 delegates among 48 states and the Panama Zone.
Advisory Commission to visit “Sesqui” sites at Independence Hall and South Philadelphia
Elva writes the itinerary calls for a meeting on January 20, 1926 in Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, followed by a luncheon to (sic) the members at noon. “In the afternoon, the board will visit the site of the Exposition which is the famous Valley Forge (Actually the site had moved to South Philadelphia, a long and sordid story). A dinner will be given at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel by the mayor of Philadelphia.”
Liberty Bell is a symbol for Sesqui
Mrs. Ferguson writes she looks forward to seeing the Liberty Bell again. She and “Trad”, the younger son, saw it at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair where Oklahoma Territory had a prominent exhibit. Trad had been greatly impressed by the bell and its historical significance. Ferguson makes plans to visit Washington, DC following the Philadelphia visit. (To be continued
Research Efforts
Background: I gave an update in July 2026 at the Watonga Public Library of the 150th Sesquicentennial Exposition as part of the celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence Mrs. T.B. Ferguson and the Sesquicentennial. The Watonga Public Library assisted in borrowing a book “Sesqui: Greed, Graft, and the Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926” by Thomas H. Keels. However, the Oklahoma State Library, the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce, nor the Oklahoma History Center had information. I could not substantiate that a large Oklahoma exhibit shown on picture post card was ever built.
