05/28/2026
This article was written by longtime Talbot Library and Museum volunteer, Donna Clark! She has outlined the long and close relationship between Talbot and the Goingsnake District Heritage Association. Talbot Library and Musuem is hosting the Goingsnake meeting next month on June 20.
This is a great history of the relationship and the people who helped make both entities what they are today. Thank you Donna for preserving this history in writing! (And thanks Harry Styron for posting this on Goingsnake District Heritage Association page!)
The Historical Connections Between Talbot Library and Museum and The Goingsnake District Heritage Association (GDHA)
By Donna Clark
A very interesting article about the History of the Goingsnake District Heritage Association at Westville, OK, appears in the Goingsnake Messenger Publication, Vol. ###VI, # 1, 2019, written by Luke Williams. The group was formed in June 1979 in Westville, Oklahoma. Monthly meetings were usually held at the John Henderson Public Library, in Westville, except for occasional special meetings held elsewhere.
Virgil Talbot, Colcord, Oklahoma, had joined the G.D.H.A. around 1980. He had started his own local history collection and had a museum at his home on Flint Creek. . In 1983, G.D.H.A. members had discussed the possibility of publishing a regular periodical. Member, Virgil Talbot, agreed to serve as Editor of the publication. He stated “I believe such a publication would encourage more people to join and create more interest in the organization, telling the public what we are doing and trying to do”. The first issue was published February 1984. He served as Editor until his death in June, 1998. Jack Baker stated at the time “It was Virgil’s idea to start a publication to preserve many of the stories and documents relating to the history of the area. He alone did almost all of the work in putting out the Goingsnake Messenger. His quarterly--and truly it was his quarterly--increased the Association’s membership to around 400. His contribution to the history of the Goingsnake District is immeasurable. Not only will his work be missed but he will be missed as a very dear friend.” Glenita Guthrie, Siloam Springs Printing Co., and Gerald Hurt, both Talbot Library & Museum Board members served as co-editors during Virgil’s final illness. Glenita became Editor in 1999, retiring in 2017. Luke Williams served as Editor 2017-2022. Jack Baker was Editor in 2023 and Michael Wren 2024. Harry Styron is current Editor. All past issues of the Goingsnake Messenger, from 1984 to 2026 are available for sale at the Talbot Library and Museum, Colcord OK. (Glenita moved Siloam Springs Printing to Westvillle Ok a few years ago and now is Guthrie Printing. They are still printing our publications.)
Virgil Talbot’s dream was to move his private collection to a permanent location for public access. This became a reality when he opened the Talbot Library and Museum in Colcord OK in June 1990. This became possible with lots of help from the Colcord Chamber of Commerce, fundraisers, donations and many volunteers. Virgil belonged to many historical societies, including the Cherokee National Historical Society, serving on the Board. He wrote several books, “The Talbot’s, Centuries of Service, From Yadkin River to West Brand (West family History), “A Bit of History”, “Goingsnake Marriages”, “A 10 Year Index of Goingsnake Messenger” and “In the Shadow of the Hills” poetry. He started the publication “T. L & M. Genealogy Magazine” Summer of 1996. He served as Editor of both publications:” Goingsnake Messenger” and “T.L. & M. Genealogy” until his death. ”T. L & M. Genealogy Magazine” continues to be published twice yearly, all back issues are available for sale. Talbot Library & Museum has continued to carry on Virgil’s legacy, due to an active Board of Trustees, valued employees and volunteers. The facility offers the Walkingstick Research Library on site, containing research material covering the Cherokee Nation, N.E. Oklahoma and N.W. Arkansas, many items are not found elsewhere. It is the premier genealogy collection in N. E. Oklahoma. The onsite Bookstore contains new books on all of these subjects.
Our website, talbotlibrary.org, contains announcements, Bookstore listings, and listing of publications for sale. The Museum area has recently been refurbished with many new displays. Several outbuildings were added to the two acre property in Colcord after Virgil’s death, including the Adair Building, Post Office building and the historic Springtown (AR.) Schoolhouse.
Virgil and the Talbot Library Museum began hosting the July Goingsnake Meetings in late 1990’s, often including a potluck lunch. Many meetings also hosted guest speakers, book signings, the Cherokee Bike Riders, as well as in 2009 Becky Hobbs’s informal musical presentation of her play “Nanyehi-The Story of Nancy Ward”! (T.L. & M. Genealogy,Vol. XVII- #2, 2009).These meetings were held most years between 1998 and 2024. No Meeting was held at Talbot’s in 2025.
We are looking forward to hosting the Goingsnake District Heritage Association membership meeting this year on Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10 a.m.
Do come visit Talbot Library and Museum as well during our usual hours. We are open Tues. Weds, Thur. 8-4, Friday 8-2. And Like us on Facebook!
https://www.talbotlibrary.org/post/the-historical-connections-between-talbot-library-and-museum-and-the-goingsnake-district-heritage-as
By Donna Clark A very interesting article about the History of the Goingsnake District Heritage Association at Westville, OK, appears in the Goingsnake Messenger Publication, Vol. ###VI, # 1, 2019, written by Luke Williams. The group was formed in June 1979 in Westville, Oklahoma. Monthly meetings w...
