Press Release
April 1, 2024
Contact: Nicole Harvey
Director of Strategic Initiatives, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-5202
nicole.harvey@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/grants
Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation Awarded Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is proud to announce that the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation has been awarded a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
“I am honored to see the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation receive this well-deserved grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program,” said Rep. Erick Harris, Edmond. “Through this initiative, we preserve the invaluable stories of our living military honorees and enhance our knowledge of Oklahoma’s rich military history. Thank you, Oklahoma Historical Society, for keeping our heritage and supporting the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation.”
The Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation received $15,000 for a project that will support its initiative to record interviews with living military honorees for preservation on its website and at the Oklahoma History Center. This project aims to document the stories of 31 living honorees, enriching the Foundation’s interactive database and contributing to a special program for its 25th anniversary in 2024. Funding will cover videographer fees, equipment rental, and potential travel expenses to ensure the success of this project.
“The Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation is a voluntary organization that honors the service and sacrifice of Oklahoma’s military heroes,” said Jerry Shiles, president of the organization. “Those we inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame have their stories captured for posterity on digital videos. Since 1999, OKMHF has inducted 235 military heroes, but we were unable to record interviews with about 30 of our living inductees. We are grateful for this award that will enable us to capture and preserve these videos while our heroes are still with us.”
The OHS will distribute over $520,000 in grant funds, with projects ranging from collections care and strategic planning to exhibit development and educational programming.
“Through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program, we’re not just funding projects; we’re investing in the preservation of Oklahoma’s rich and dynamic history,” said Nicole Harvey, director of strategic initiatives for the Oklahoma Historical Society. “These grants empower communities across the state to uphold their heritage for future generations, ensuring that the stories of Oklahoma continue to inspire and educate for years to come.”
The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program is a grants-in-aid program offered by the Oklahoma Historical Society to encourage the collection, preservation, and sharing of Oklahoma history at the grassroots level in all parts of the state. Open to tribal and municipal governments and not-for-profit historical organizations located in Oklahoma and registered with the Oklahoma secretary of state, this grants program offers funding ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for projects focused on collections, exhibits, and programming. Applications for this annual program open in the fall, and award announcements are made in January. For more information visit okhistory.org/grants.
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 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 okhistory.org.
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