Wichita Mountains Refuge Marks A Century And A Quarter This June

America will celebrate its 250th birthday this year, and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton also has a milestone to celebrate this summer! The refuge will mark its 125th anniversary this June with a public celebration.

From 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will host a special celebration to mark the refuge's 125th anniversary. The celebration will honor the refuge's past while looking ahead to the future.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will host the 125th celebration in the new headquarters.

During the celebration this June, visitors will get to see the refuge's newly constructed headquarters. Below are the events visitors can expect from the celebration at the new headquarters.

• Refuge staff, representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and special guests will give remarks.
• The celebration will feature a screening of a new refuge film by Peter Schriemer.
• There will be an unveiling of a 100-year-old time capsule from the Lost Lake Dam that was buried in 1926.
• Visitors will get to witness the sealing of a new time capsule that will be buried for another 100 years.

The 125th celebration of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is free and open to the public.

READ MORE: Tours Of The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Kick Off This Spring

Public letter submissions are now being accepted for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge's new time capsule.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is currently accepting letter submissions for the new capsule that is set to be opened in 2126. The public can submit letters based on the following prompts, or personal letters.

• Share your hopes for the future of the refuge.
• What should visitors of the refuge 100 years from know learn from us in 2026?
• Why does the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge matter to you?

Deadline to submit letters for the time capsule is May 20. Letters can be submitted by dropping them off at the refuge's Visitor Center or by mail directed to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge - Time Capsule Project and mailed to 21088 State HWY 115, Cache, Oklahoma, 73527. Letters can also be emailed to wmr_visitorservices@fws.gov with the subject "Time Capsule Project."

More information about the 125th celebration of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge can be found on the refuge's official website and by following the refuge on Facebook.

READ MORE: Join The Annual Tour Of The Wichitas For Scenic Cycling Fun