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GIVE TO THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO COMPLETE THE OKPOP MUSEUM! |
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SELECT QUOTES FROM FUNDERS:
“OKPOP is about telling the stories of Oklahomans who brought our culture to the rest of the world. Cherokee Nation is a significant part of Oklahoma’s story, including our tribe’s most famous citizen, Will Rogers. We’re proud to be a part of the effort to complete this world-class museum and preserve the significant contributions of Oklahomans on the world stage.”
“OKPOP is more than just a museum; it’s a cultural hub that enriches the lives of all Oklahomans. At BOK Financial, we’re committed to supporting initiatives that improve the quality of life for our employees and our customers. OKPOP embodies the spirit of Oklahoma, and we’re proud to be a part of it. We believe that investing in education and culture is an investment in our community’s future.”
“Chickasaw Citizens have been artists and storytellers for generations; we believe wholeheartedly in the power of art and storytelling. The Chickasaw Nation supports the OKPOP Museum because, just as we showcase and celebrate the resilient and persevering spirit of the Chickasaw people, we believe OKPOP will both highlight and inspire artists from all across the state of Oklahoma.”
“As lifelong music lovers, we’re excited to support OKPOP. What is life without music or art or storytelling? This project celebrates the incredible musicians who have come from Oklahoma and continue to inspire us. OKPOP will be a place where people can connect with music, learn about our state’s musical history, and create their own music. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for OKPOP.”
- Ken and Jeanine Clifford
“As residents and business owners in the Tulsa Arts District, we’re thrilled to support OKPOP. This vibrant community is the perfect home for a project that celebrates Oklahoma’s rich cultural heritage. OKPOP will inspire future generations of artists, musicians, and creatives. We’re proud to be a part of this exciting initiative, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact it will have on our community.”
- Leigh and John Reaves
“As someone deeply rooted in Oklahoma, I’ve always believed in the power of arts and culture to inspire and transform. OKPOP embodies this spirit, and I’m honored to be a part of bringing this vision to life. This project will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Together, we’re creating something truly special.”
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HEAR THE VOICE OF A ROCK AND ROLL LEGEND
Voices of Oklahoma interview with musician, songwriter, and inventor Steve Ripley
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John Erling interviewed music great Steve Ripley in a lengthy Voices of Oklahoma interview in 2017. Ripley worked with some of the greats in the music business. He grew up in Glencoe, Oklahoma and was a recording artist, guitar player, singer-songwriter, producer, engineer, studio owner, radio host and inventor. Ripley was the front man for his band, The Tractors. He played and recorded with legends like Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Roy Clark, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and Johnnie Lee Wills, to name a few. He also designed guitars and was an innovator in the industry, inventing the stereo guitar, which split the electrical signal of each string to separate outputs. Ripley Guitars were sought after by guitar connoisseurs, perhaps most notably Eddie Van Halen.
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LISTEN TO THE LATEST
Senator Robert Owen and the Creation of the Federal Reserve
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Born in Virginia and raised by his mother in the Cherokee Nation, Robert Owen was a seminal figure in Oklahoma’s early history. He was elected as one of Oklahoma’s first US senators in 1907, where he championed progressive and populist causes in the nation’s capital. Utilizing his background as a bank owner in Muskogee, he was the Senate author of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, which created the financial system still in use today. In this latest episode of A Very OK Podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Blackburn talk to Dr. Ken Brown, a former professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and an expert on Owen, about his life and work creating the Federal Reserve. |
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day
panel discussion
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On Monday, January 27, from 1 to 3 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) will host a panel discussion for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The discussion will take place in the Musser Learning Lab on the first floor of the OHC and is intended for guests ages 18 and older.
Panel discussion members will include Dr. Denise Neal of the OK National Guard Museum, Rachel Johnson of the Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City, and Michael Korenblit, author and Friends of the OHS Multicultural Office advisory board member. The panel will discuss the role and involvement of Oklahomans during the Holocaust through different experiences.
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Civil Rights Trail Grant Program presentation with Bridget Lewis in Ponca City |
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Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail Grant Program
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The Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail Grant Program is a grants-in-aid program offered by the Oklahoma Historical Society. Open to tribal, county, and municipal governments, and not-for-profit organizations located in Oklahoma and registered with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, this grants program offers funding ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.
The objectives of this program include connecting All-Black towns and locations significant to the Civil Rights Movement in Oklahoma, including many Native American sites of historical significance; stimulating tourism; fostering entrepreneurship; and promoting economic development within these communities.
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Oklahoma City Black History Mobile App launch with keynote speaker Bob Dotson |
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Emmy-winning storyteller Bob Dotson will be the keynote speaker for the February launch of a mobile app designed to familiarize people with Oklahoma City’s Black history. The free app will be introduced at the Oklahoma History Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 15. Visitors can enjoy a photo exhibit, door prizes, and live jazz music.
Dotson, who began his broadcasting career at WKY in Oklahoma City, won his first National Emmy Award for “Through the Looking Glass Darkly,” which chronicled the lives of Blacks in territorial Oklahoma and their contributions following statehood.
The mobile app tour is a development of Oklahoma Black Living Legacy (OBLL), a nonprofit founded in 2020 to raise awareness of and preserve the state’s Black history, artifacts, and living legacies. OBLL volunteers researched the app with staff and volunteers at the Oklahoma History Center. An Oklahoma Historical Society Preservation Grant and other sponsors helped fund the project.
According to Doris Youngblood, executive director, the organization’s goal is “to foster understanding and pride throughout generations.”
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Fred and Addie Drummond Home featuring an antique doll exhibit in February |
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An exhibit at the Fred and Addie Drummond Home will feature antique dolls through the month of February. This annual exhibit showcases a selection of rare and unique dolls dating back to the early 1900s—long before Barbie’s popularity—when bisque, porcelain, and leather were used to form dolls. German-made dolls by Armand Marseille, Kestner, and Koppelsdorf will be featured.
The three-story, Victorian-style Fred and Addie Drummond Home was completed in 1905. It features a central square tower, second-floor balcony, and false dormers. The Fred and Addie Drummond Home is located at 305 North Price Avenue in Hominy.
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Who were Frederick and Adeline Drummond?
Frederick Drummond arrived in the United States from Scotland in 1882, with a dream of becoming a rancher. In 1890 Drummond married Adeline Gentner, a German-American girl from Coffeyville, Kansas. By 1895 the couple had saved enough money for Drummond to buy a partnership in the company for which he worked. The enterprise prospered and in 1904 Drummond bought out a trader in Hominy, forming the Hominy Trading Company. In their partnership, Fred and Addie Drummond helped Hominy to flourish in its early days. Through this economic base, Drummond expanded his operations to include ranching, banking, and real estate, building one of the most successful trading and ranching operations in Oklahoma.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR DATE NIGHT
Date Night at the Museum: "Art from the Heart" couples night
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Make it a memorable date night at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center on Friday, February 7, from 7 to 9 p.m.
This art-inspired evening promises to create the perfect night out! Wander through the galleries as you enjoy delicious themed hors d’oeuvres and a romantic drink to make your museum experience even more special. Plus, couples are welcome to explore the Humphrey Heritage Village after dark to see history in a whole new light!
“Art from the Heart” is a self-guided, whimsical experience perfect for a Valentine’s date. Each refreshment station will have delightful take-home gifts that fit the event’s theme. At each stop in the gallery, couples will find fun art supplies to create masterpieces to remember this special night together.
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SPEND A MORNING WITH AN ARCHIVIST
“The Progressive Era: 1900–1929” presentation with Aaron Preston
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This is the second program of “A.M. with the Archivist,” a three-part lecture series for the price of regular museum admission!
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The Chisholm in Kingfisher is hosting a year-long exhibit in 2025, entitled Abandoned Oklahoma: Red Carpet Country Through the Lens. The exhibit features a series of black-and-white photographs of Kingfisher County in northwest Oklahoma captured through the lens of Michael Louthan.
The images delve into the region’s rich history and chronicle the hopes and dreams of the lives of some early Oklahomans. Photographs of weathered walls and rooflines of structures built over 100 years ago embody the hopes and dreams of many who began farming and ranching in northwest Oklahoma in the 19th century.
This project was made possible by Oklahoma Arts Sector ARPA Grants, an investment made by leaders of the State of Oklahoma, led by the Oklahoma Arts Council in Partnership with Allied Arts of OKC and Arts Alliance Tulsa.
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Follow the OHS website calendar to learn about all of our events and programs at OHS museums and historic sites across the state!
From seasonal events to celebrations, exhibits, films, educational classes, workshops, our calendar is constantly changing with the latest programs and activities. Be sure to check out our Museums and Historic Sites page for all of the latest inclement weather updates.
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Connect with the Oklahoma Historical Society on social media—where you can learn more about Oklahoma history and get up-to-date information about events and exhibits across the state!
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Masthead image: A blinding snow blankets the Oklahoma City and slows traffic on Broadway near NW 5th Street. The line of cars keep moving, but at a snail's pace, January 21, 1954 (2012.201.OVZ001.7076, Oklahoma Publishing Company, OHS).
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