State Historic Preservation Office Now Accepting Nominations for 2010 Awards

Contact: Melvena Heisch
(405) 522-4484

October 5, 2009
For Immediate Release

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.