Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sara Doolittle on Oklahoma Territory’s school-segregation cases at The Chisholm
The legal history of school segregation is often told through the 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. Sara Doolittle’s research instead turns to earlier cases in Oklahoma Territory, where Black residents challenged segregation laws and restrictions imposed by local school boards.
A longer view of school desegregation
We Fought Back examines court challenges brought during Oklahoma Territory’s 1889–1907 period. Black residents contested segregation in both territorial law and the decisions of local school boards.
The book places these earlier legal disputes alongside the history of Brown v. Board of Education. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that state laws requiring racial segregation in public schools were unconstitutional. Doolittle’s focus on territorial cases offers a view of the legal arguments that preceded that ruling and the questions they raised about race, citizenship and federal authority in education.
Further reading: We Fought Back: The Black Legal Struggle for Education in Oklahoma Territory book talk and signing with author Sara Doolittle | OHS Calendar ↗
A researcher of law, race and schooling
Sara Doolittle is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Sciences, Foundations, and Research at the University of Central Oklahoma. Her work examines the legal history of school segregation, particularly in the 19th century. An article on efforts to challenge Oklahoma Territory’s segregation statutes appeared in History of Education Quarterly.
Before pursuing this research, Doolittle spent more than 20 years teaching high school English. Her honors include the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship and Dissertation Research Award. She earned a BA at the University of Kansas, an MA at the University of Colorado and a PhD at the University of Oklahoma.
Further reading: We Fought Back: The Black Legal Struggle for Education in Oklahoma Territory book talk and signing with author Sara Doolittle | OHS Calendar ↗
A book discussion at The Chisholm
The Chisholm’s wider museum work centers on Oklahoma’s farming and ranching history. This calendar entry is specifically for Doolittle’s author talk and signing; it does not list a museum tour or gallery program as part of the event.
Further reading: The Chisholm | Oklahoma Historical Society ↗ · We Fought Back: The Black Legal Struggle for Education in Oklahoma Territory book talk and signing with author Sara Doolittle | OHS Calendar ↗
One author-led program
The calendar confirms a talk by Dr. Sara Doolittle and a book signing. Copies of her 2026 University of Oklahoma Press title will be available at the signing.
Thursday, November 5, 2026 · The Chisholm
- Dr. Sara Doolittle author talk and book signing on We Fought Back: The Black Legal Struggle for Education in Oklahoma Territory
Plan for the evening
Thursday, November 5, 2026
The talk and signing are scheduled for 6–7 p.m. Central.
The talk and signing are free
Copies of We Fought Back will be available at the signing. The event listing does not give a price for the book.
The Chisholm
The event is at 605 Zellers Avenue, Kingfisher, OK 73750. The museum’s listed phone number is 405-375-5176.
We Fought Back: The Black Legal Struggle for Education in Oklahoma Territory book talk and signing with author Sara Doolittle | OHS Calendar ↗ · The Chisholm | OHS Calendar ↗
Check separately if you plan to see the exhibits
The museum’s general hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., before this 6 p.m. event. Its visitor page says some historic structures and the Horizon Hill mansion are temporarily closed during preservation work and advises calling ahead to check which spaces may be closed. Museum admission is listed as $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older, and $3 for students ages 6–18; children under 6 and OHS members are admitted free. Family admission for up to six people is $15, and veterans and active military with ID are admitted free. These are museum admission terms, not a charge for the free author talk and signing. The event listing does not say whether museum galleries will be open during the talk.
Getting to The Chisholm
Destination and directions
The event listing identifies The Chisholm at 605 Zellers Avenue, Kingfisher, OK 73750. Use the map link to calculate directions from your starting point; the supplied official pages do not provide transit, parking or event entrance details. For arrival or access questions, call 405-375-5176.
We Fought Back: The Black Legal Struggle for Education in Oklahoma Territory book talk and signing with author Sara Doolittle | OHS Calendar ↗ · The Chisholm | OHS Calendar ↗ · Plan Your Visit | Oklahoma Historical Society ↗
Before you make a plan
Is the talk free?
Yes. The author talk and signing are advertised as free. Copies of the book will be available, but the event listing does not state their price.
What is scheduled?
A talk by Dr. Sara Doolittle about We Fought Back: The Black Legal Struggle for Education in Oklahoma Territory, followed by a book signing. Copies will be available at the signing.
Do I need to register, or is there an age requirement?
The event listing gives no registration instructions or age guidance.
Will the museum galleries be open during the event?
The event listing does not confirm gallery access. The museum’s general hours end at 5 p.m.; call The Chisholm at 405-375-5176 to ask about the evening.
We Fought Back: The Black Legal Struggle for Education in Oklahoma Territory book talk and signing with author Sara Doolittle | OHS Calendar ↗ · Plan Your Visit | Oklahoma Historical Society ↗
Location & Google Maps
The Chisholm
605 Zellers Avenue, Kingfisher, OK 73750
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.