by Corey Ayers, Video Production Specialist

In December of 2011 the Oklahoma Historical Society purchased two telecine machines that allow for the transfer of 16 and 8mm film to full 1080p digital files. The digital conversion allows film of all ages to be seen in their original state but enhanced by high definition resolution. The use of these machines has ushered in a new era for the film and video department at the OHS. We are now digitizing and cataloging entire film collections giving moving images not seen for 80 years a new life and the public a rich new source for research. For example, the Haskell Pruett Collection documents community events such as parades and rodeos as well as leisure activities of an Oklahoma family from 1929 to the late 1960s. These films present a visual testament of life in Oklahoma at the time. This is only one of many collections in film storage at the Oklahoma History Center and the beginning of a new era for the use of film in research at the Historical Society.

by William Welge, Research Division Director

February is recognized as Black History month, but is also the month where we honor the Presidents of the United States. Everyone knows that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln both have birthdays in February, but what few people know is that there were three Presidents who either lived or visited Oklahoma before it was a state. It must be noted that all three were not campaigning for the office at the time of their visit or residency. Can you name the three future Presidents?

by Jill Holt, Curator of Textiles

As more and more veterans of World War II military service pass away, we are receiving donations of items pertaining to their service including uniforms, insignia, documents, and footlockers. I recently accessioned a footlocker and its contents that were found in a house in Duncan, Oklahoma. The donor, Craig Lowe, had purchased the house from the family of Gabriel W. Ostroot and the footlocker had been left behind. It was an incredible collection of memorabilia. Lt. Gabriel W. Ostroot served with the 63rd Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division during World War II. Inside his footlocker were multiple guide books for the South Seas islands, East Indies, Solomon Islands, and New Guinea as well as maps for those areas. Other items included officer’s pay receipts, Japanese currency, collar insignia, and a certificate from the United States Navy Domain of the Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main acknowledging that Gabriel W. Ostroot had been initiated into the “Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep” in the South Sea Islands. This certificate was awarded when crossing the equator for the first time.

The ultimate find in this footlocker was the photograph album documenting Ostroot’s entire military service career. It begins with photos taken at basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and shows young men laughing and joking. From basic training, the photographs transition to military maneuvers held in Louisiana. The next series of photographs were taken in the South Pacific and include images of natives in New Guinea. The album concludes with photographs taken in Luzon, the Philippines. These images are the most graphic and show dead Japanese soldiers and destroyed tanks.

The stark reality of viewing these young recruits becoming battle weary soldiers was dramatic and very moving. I hope you will join me in giving thanks to these brave men who defended our country.

by William D. Welge, Research Division Director

With the election of Abraham Lincoln in November, 1860, a chain of events that had been brewing since the Missouri Compromise was passed by Congress in 1820 began. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. This unorthodox and unprecedented action could have been halted by lame duck President James Buchanan. However, Buchanan chose to do nothing which ultimately led other Cotton Belt states to follow suit early in 1861.