Press Release
March 4, 2021
Contact: Nicole Harvey
Grants Administrator, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-5202
nharvey@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/grants
Claremore Museum of History and Rogers County Historical Society Inc. Awarded Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grants
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society is proud to announce that the Claremore Museum of History and Rogers County Historical Society Inc. have been awarded grants through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
The Claremore Museum of History has been awarded $9,846 that will fund a new storage solution in the museum that will block out a window in a collections storage area that is currently affecting the temperature and humidity of the space, as well as adding unwanted natural light. While the windows currently have UV films to protect the collections housed in the room, this new shelving will aid with the other environmental issues.
"The Claremore Museum of History is thrilled to be the recipient of this grant," said Steve Robinson, chairman of the board. "The grant will be utilized to help us further enhance our museum space by providing built-in cabinets that not only will provide more space, but also block out the harmful light from the windows that puts our collections at risk. Without this support, our museum would not have the funds to provide for this enhancement."
The Rogers County Historical Society Inc. has been awarded $6,750 that will fund new wayfinding signage, as well as information signs with QR codes to add further historical interpretation of Totem Pole Park off Route 66 and the Belvidere Mansion located in Claremore.
"Rogers County Historical Society is very grateful to receive a grant from the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program," said Bobbie Cary, treasurer of the Rogers County Historical Society. "This grant will enable us to add informational and educational signage at the Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park and the Belvidere Mansion. Enriching the experience of each visitor to these sites is the goal of this project, and this grant will help us provide easily accessible, interesting and historical information to our guests. We value the trust shown in us through this grant and will do our best to use the funds wisely."
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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