Press Release
March 4, 2021
Contact: Nicole Harvey
Grants Administrator, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-5202
nharvey@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/grants
LeFlore County Historical Society Awarded Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society is proud to announce that the LeFlore County Historical Society has been awarded a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
"The LeFlore County Historical Society is preserving and sharing our rich history here in southeastern Oklahoma," said Rep. Rick West, Heavener. "I am thrilled that this grant will allow them to further that mission. Grants like this show the success of public/private partnerships that efficiently utilize funds in local communities to make a meaningful impact."
The LeFlore County Historical Society has been awarded $10,000 that will fund the purchase of archival equipment to preserve the files, photos and archival objects contained in the collection. Included in the project is the purchase of acid-free file folders, hanging folders, archival paper, storage boxes and storage bags; a dehumidifier; and preservation kits. The collection housed by the LeFlore County Historical Society contains thousands of artifacts drawn from the collection of the Southeast Oklahoma Historical Society, which merged with the LeFlore County Historical Society. The collection ranges from pre-European contact to present day, with much of the collection comprised of artifacts representing life in LeFLore County from the late 1800s through the 1940s.
"We are very excited about receiving the grant," said David Deaton, director of the LeFlore County Historical Society. "This will help us to preserve and protect the many documents and artifacts that we currently have in our archives. We so appreciate it."
A total of just over $460,000 in grant funds will be distributed, with projects ranging from collections care and exhibit development to strategic planning and educational programming. "This is only the second year for this grant program. As organizations wrap up their grant projects from last year and as we see the quality of the applications that came in for this grant cycle, it is clear that there is a strong need for this type of grant program," said Nicole Harvey, OHS grants administrator.
The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program is a grants-in-aid program offered by the Oklahoma Historical Society with a goal of encouraging 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 www.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 www.okhistory.org.
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