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Press Release

April 21, 2016

Contact: Paul Lambert
Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-5217
plambert@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org

2016 Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame Honorees Announced

OKLAHOMA CITY — Deena Fisher, chair of the 2016 Oklahoma History Conference Committee, announced that the committee has selected four individuals to be inducted into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place during the Oklahoma Historical Society’s annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 29, at noon, at the Woodward Conference Center in Woodward, Okla. The honorees are Dr. L. V. and Pat Baker, Elk City; Steven K. Gragert, Stillwater; Mike Larsen, Perkins; and Arthur L. Tolson, deceased.

The Bakers will be inducted as a team for their outstanding work, beginning in the 1960s, to create the museum complex in Elk City and to preserve the history of the Elk City region.

Gragert has spent his career researching and writing about Will Rogers, as well as editing the Will Rogers papers and serving as the executive director of the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore.

An internationally acclaimed artist, Larsen has emphasized historical accuracy in his works of art depicting the history and culture of the Chickasaw Nation as well as other tribes. His historical research in preparation for various projects is legendary.

Tolson was the first African American to earn a Master of Arts in history from Oklahoma State University and a doctorate in history from the University of Oklahoma. He authored several pioneering works on the history of African Americans in Oklahoma.

The annual Awards Luncheon is one of several events taking place as part of the three-day 2016 Oklahoma History Conference in Woodward. For information about participating in the annual Awards Luncheon or the 2016 Oklahoma History Conference, the public is encouraged to contact Conference Coordinator Paul Lambert at 405-522-5217 or plambert@okhistory.org or Shelly Crynes at 405-522-0317 or scrynes@okhistory.org.

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 31 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.





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