Two years ago, Arkansas native Molly Hutchins had just started a new job in a new state. She moved from northwest Arkansas to become a historical interpreter at Hunter’s Home in Park Hill — the only remaining pre-Civil War plantation home in Oklahoma.

In October 2024, Hutchins moved up the ranks in the Oklahoma Historical Society. She was promoted to site director at Honey Springs Battlefield near Checotah, where she leads a team of four employees who help manage the 1,000 acres that tell the story of the largest documented hostile encounters in Indian Territory.

“I’ve been involved in history museums since I was nine years old,” said Hutchins. “I was raised in Prairie Grove, Arkansas — a city known for its Civil War history.”

Hutchins has volunteered or worked at northwest Arkansas museums, including the Washington County Historical Society, Arkansas Air and Military Museum, Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park and Shiloh Museum of Ozark History.

At age 16, she became a founding member of the Prairie Grove Historical Society. A year later, she was vice president of the organization.

She became the curator, operational director and collections manager of the Prairie Grove Heritage Museum.

Hutchins spent two years as the assistant librarian at the Prairie Grove Public Library, where she served the local community by using her skills and passion for research and history.

As site director at Honey Springs Battlefield, Hutchins said she’s looking forward to a busy year. Some programs have already been planned, like a nature journaling class in March and the biennial Battle of Honey Springs reenactments in November.

More events will be announced throughout the year.

“We also have some big projects coming soon like battlefield restorations, updates to trail signage, a new outdoor programming space and more,” said Hutchins. “Our goal for the coming year is to make Honey Springs Battlefield a memorable and engaging place for visitors of all ages.”

Hutchins will also work closely with the Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield, a nonprofit group that promotes and supports the site.

Honey Springs Battlefield is located east of U.S. Highway 69 between Oktaha and Rentiesville. The Visitor Center is located on a hill near the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in Rentiesville. Take the second left after reaching the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame Museum (driving from the west).

Honey Springs Battlefield is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.