Press Release
December 17, 2019
Contact: Steve Hawkins
Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-0754
shawkins@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/historycenter
Oklahoma History Center Offers New Audio Tour
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) has introduced a new, easily accessible audio tour that is available in four languages: English, French, German and Spanish. The tour is made possible by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities (OH). Visitors can use the camera on their phones to scan a unique QR code that will link them to an online audio point. There are 30 new audio points that help lead guests through the museum and read the label text about the object featured, as well as providing additional information. Guests can pick and choose which points to listen to with this version of the audio tour. Earphones, iPads and iPod Touches will be available for visitors who may not have access to a personal device.
The audio tour is also available on the Oklahoma Historical Society website at www.okhistory.org/audiotour, making it accessible to people even if they cannot visit the Oklahoma History Center. In the near future the OHC plans to add historic photographs and oral histories that pertain to the featured audio point artifacts. The goal is to continue to grow this program, so visitors are encouraged to leave their feedback.
Director of Exhibits Lori Oden and other OHC staff have made this new audio tour a priority over the past year. “As our audiences grow to include people from all over the world, it is important that we welcome them in their own language. It is my hope that we continue to add languages and content over the next few years,” said Oden. “Also, we were honored to work with three language professors from the University of Central Oklahoma and establish these important institutional relationships. We are very grateful for their support, as well as Oklahoma Humanities,” Oden continued.
Funding for this program is provided in part by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this audio tour do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH.
The mission of Oklahoma Humanities is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. OH is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, we strive to stimulate discussion, encourage new perspectives, and to actively engage people in the humanities disciplines, such as history, literature, philosophy, and ethics.
The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. 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 www.okhistory.org .
###
