EXTRA! - Fact vs. Fiction

Request for proposals to utilize Underrepresented Community grant

On December 19, 2022, the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) was announced as one of 21 recipients of a grant funded by the Underrepresented Community Grant program, through the Historic Preservation Fund, which is administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

The SHPO received $75,000 for the completion of an architectural survey of Oklahoma’s All-Black towns; part one of the survey was completed in 2023 with an Underrepresented Community Grant funded in 2021. Oklahoma’s All-Black towns represent a unique chapter in American history, and the SHPO is working to provide a complete survey of all the towns.

The request for proposals became available on May 1, 2023. All proposals are due by June 30, 2023. If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Lynda Ozan, deputy state historic preservation officer, at 405-522-4484 or lynda.ozan@history.ok.gov. To review the first part of the “Architectural and Historical Survey of Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns,” or to view the request for proposals click here.

Photo: Abe Lincoln Trading Company building in Clearview, Okfuskee County (photo courtesy of Stantec).

"From the Vault: Ernie Fields"

The OKPOP Museum’s video series "From the Vault" explores the stories behind various items in their collections.

In this episode, OKPOP Executive Director Jeff Moore discusses how the collection of Ernie Fields Sr. came to the museum, a brief history of Ernie Sr., and the museum’s relationship with his son and daughter, Ernie Fields Jr. and Carmen Fields.

Bandleader/trombonist/pianist Ernie Fields was born in Texas on August 28, 1904, but raised in Taft, Oklahoma. His early ensemble, The Royal Entertainers, shattered norms by being the first African American group to play Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. But it was with his later band, The Ernie Fields Orchestra, that Fields found national success. The Ernie Fields Orchestra became one of the most popular jazz big bands among African Americans on the club circuit that stretched from Kansas City to Dallas in the 1930s–40s. Learn more about Fields by watching "From the Vault: The Ernie Fields Collection."

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Remembering the era of dainty vintage snack sets

The Fred and Addie Drummond Home in Hominy will feature an exhibit of Vintage Snack Sets from Thursday, June 1 to Friday, June 30. When women in the mid-20th century hosted teas, coffees, or church socials, they would wear their “Sunday best” and bring out pretty snack sets that included a plate with a round indention to hold the matching cup.

The Vintage Snack Sets exhibit is included with the regular admission fee. For more information, please call 918-352-5583. The Fred and Addie Drummond Home is located at 305 N. Price Ave. in Hominy.

Take a guided tour of the historic battlefield!

Honey Springs Battlefield is pleased to announce a series of guided tours at the site. Students from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) will serve as tour guides on the six trails that cross the 1,100-acre battlefield on three Saturdays in June: June 3, 10, and 24, as well as Saturday, July 1. The students will point out the exact locations of military actions, highlight key aspects of the engagement, and discuss its historical importance.

For more information regarding the the guided tours and Honey Springs Battlefield, please email honeysprings@history.ok.gov or adam.lynn@history.ok.gov, or call 918-617-7125. 

A new series explores "Hidden Oklahoma"

On Thursday, June 1, at 2 p.m. (Central Time), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will hold a free virtual webinar on geoarchaeology and what it has taught us about Oklahoma’s past, presented by Dr. Debra Green. 

“Hidden Oklahoma” guest archaeologists and researchers discuss important sites in Oklahoma and illustrate why archaeology is critical to understanding our history. Register for the webinar by clicking here.