Press Release
March 4, 2021
Contact: Nicole Harvey
Grants Administrator, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-5202
nharvey@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/grants
The Edwards Store Inc. Awarded Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society is proud to announce that the Edwards Store Inc. has been awarded a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
"This historic building, located along the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, is a vital piece of Oklahoma history," said Rep. Jim Grego, Wilburton. "I am delighted that funds are being invested to ensure that this log structure built back in the mid-1800s will be preserved for future Oklahomans."
The Edwards Store Inc. has been awarded $14,004 to fund a historic architecture documentation with hands-on interventions for the Edwards Store. This project will allow the organization to inspect and make notations about damage to the building, which was constructed in the 1850s–1870s. The funding will also be used to help prevent further damage while a comprehensive preservation plan for restoration is developed.
"We so appreciate this award, which moves us closer to saving the historic Edwards Store," said Chrissy Dickmeyer, president of the Edwards Store Inc. "With this OHS support we can begin phase one of our preservation plan and document the historic architecture of the 1850s dog-trot cabin. We will create a permanent record of the construction techniques used; the size, shape and condition of the hand-hewn logs; corner notching; wooden shingles; original plank flooring and stone chimneys for study, protection and restoration."
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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