What's New at the Oklahoma Historical Society

Victory Abroad and Victory at Home - The "Doubel V"

Presented by the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) and the Oklahoma Historical Society, November 11, 2009 from 10am to 5pm

The central theme of Double V is the promise held out to African American military personnel that service in World War II would deliver to them a "double V." That meant victory over tyranny abroad and victory over racial prejudice at home. They fought Nazi-Fascism abroad and prejudice at home.

The program will feature director Fred Kuwornu, an Italian filmmaker of African heritage, and a premier screening of the film "Inside Buffalo." "Inside Buffalo" is an award winning feature film documentary tells the story of the 92nd Buffalo Division, the all African American segregated combat unit that fought with outstanding heroism in Italy during the Second World War.

This program is free to the public, but seating is limited.

10:00 to 10:30am - Registration
10:30 to 11:00am - Opening remarks
11:00 to 12:30pm - Screening of "Inside Buffalo"
12:30 to 2:00pm - Viewing of exhibit, autographing of "Inside Buffalo"
2:00 to 2:30pm - Remarks by Director Fred Kuwornu
2:30 to 3:30pm - Roundtable with WWII veterans
3:45 to 4:15pm - Tribute to 597th, Vivian Clark-Adams and members of 597th

Back to the Moon, November 12, 2009

The Oklahoma History Center presents Back to the Moon with Andy Chaikin, an award winning science journalist, on November 12, 2009. The galleries will open at 6:00pm and the program begins at 7:00pm. Admission to the museum and program is free, but seating is limited. View flyer - PDF

Forty years after the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, Andrew Chaikin looks back at the incredible lunar adventures of Armstrong, Aldrin, and the other Apollo astronauts who made humanity’s first journeys to another world. Chaikin will share anecdotes from his extensive conversations with the moon-voyagers during his research for "A Man on the Moon."

He will also present the findings of the recent LCROSS lunar-impact mission, which attempted to discover whether deposits of ancient ice await future lunar explorers. This current NASA Mission will impact the lunar surface on October 9, 2009!

Andrew Chaikin has authored several books and articles about space exploration and astronomy for more than 25 years. He is best known as the author of A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts, widely regarded as the definitive account of the moon missions.

For more information on Back to the Moon please visit our website at www.okhistorycenter.org or contact Jason Harris at 405-522-0785 or by email at jharris@okhistory.org.

Portrait of a President: An Evening with Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 2009

Join the Oklahoma History Center and President Abraham Lincoln on the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address! This program will focus on this pivotal speech and his presidency as well as the strife created by a nation at war.

Abraham Lincoln will be portrayed by Fritz Klein from the Lincoln Institute for Education. Admission is free but seating is limited. The Oklahoma History Center will open at 6:00pm and the program begins at 7:00pm. Click to view the flyer.

For more information contact Jason Harris at 405-522-0785 or jharris@okhistory.org.

Rockabilly Night October 23

On Friday, October 23 experience true rockabilly style with a rockabilly fashion show and live music including performances by Clyde Stacy and The Starkweather Boys! This is an all ages show. Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:00pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Get your tickets at the Oklahoma History Center or Velvet Monkey Salons. Call 405-522-0765 for more info.

SHPO Accepting Award Nominations

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Oklahoma Historical Society is now accepting nominations for its 2010 awards program. Know someone who rehabilitated an important historic building in your community? Protects an important archeological site located on their property? Worked with a dedicated group of volunteers to save an endangered historic landmark? Developed a walking tour brochure for a historic district? These and many more projects and activities contribute to the preservation of Oklahoma's heritage. Help the SHPO recognize the many preservation success stories across the state.

The SHPO's awards program includes the Shirk Memorial Award for Historic Preservation and the SHPO's Citation of Merit. The deadline for nominations is 5:00pm, Friday, December 4th, and candidates will be notified in February 2010 about the results of the selection process. The awards will be presented at the banquet during Oklahoma's 22nd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference in historic downtown Okmulgee (June 9-11, 2010).

The Shirk Memorial Award for Historic Preservation is presented for historic preservation programs or activities that have had statewide impact. The SHPO's Citation of Merit is awarded for noteworthy accomplishments in historic preservation at the state or local level.

The SHPO will accept nominations in either electronic or hard copy format. To request nomination forms and instructions, contact Betty Harris at 405/521-6249 or bharris@okhistory.org. Or, obtain the information from the SHPO's website at www.okhistory.org/shpo/shpoawards.htm.

If you have questions about the awards criteria, contact Melvena Heisch at 405/522-4484 or mheisch@okhistory.org.

OHS Launches Email Newsletter

Keep up to date with activities at OHS. Subscribe to our new email newsletter below or check out our RSS feed.

OHS Annual Meeting - Call for Papers & Presentations

The 2010 Annual Meeting will be held April 28-30 in Durant, Oklahoma. OHS is now seeking papers and presentations - find out more.

OHS Announces Oklahoma Symbols Student Art Contest

Explore Oklahoma's unique and interesting symbols with the 2009 Oklahoma Symbols Student Art Contest. The contest runs September 1 to October 30 and is open to grades 1st through 6th. View complete details and entry forms.

"Another Hot Oklahoma Night: A Rock & Roll Story" Book Now Available!

This unique book features contributions by Elizabeth Baxter, Scott Booker, Chris Brownsberger, Jerry A. Church, John Cooper, Wayne Coyne, Michael Dean, Angie DeVore-Green, Hugh Foley, Stuart Hudson, Jimmy LaFave, Ryan LaCroix, Jeff Moore, Larry O'Dell, Steve Ripley and John Wooley.

The book is available for $29.95 through the OHS gift shop (405) 522-5214. A poster of the book cover is also available for $8.95. The artwork for the cover was created by noted Oklahoma artists Cameron and Bruce Eagle.

View Historic Images of Downtown OKC

Explore historic Oklahoma City through images from the OHS Research Center's Barney Hillerman Collection. Our interactive map features photographs from the 1920s-1960s. Click here to get started.

Another Hot Oklahoma Night Now on Exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center

The exhibit explores the Rock and Roll artists, radio stations, personalities, venues, and fans that have called Oklahoma home. Beyond the facts of each story, the exhibit shows how growing up in Oklahoma affected the music.

To find out more about the exhibit visit www.anotherhotoklahomanight.org

Oklahoman Obituary Index now online

An index to obituaries published in the Oklahoman is now available online. Start searching now.

"Found in Collections" blog now online!

Explore the collections of the Oklahoma History Center in our new blog, updated weekly. Click here to check it out!

Dawes Final Rolls Index Now Online

Are you interested in tracing your American Indian ancestry? The Dawes Final Rolls can provide valuable information about members of the Five Civilized Tribes. Click here to search the index.