Press Release
April 1, 2024
Contact: Nicole Harvey
Director of Strategic Initiatives, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-5202
nicole.harvey@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/grants
Southern Nazarene University Awarded Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is proud to announce that Southern Nazarene University has been awarded a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
“I am grateful that SNU continues to be recognized for their work to preserve local history and knowledge and to increase community engagement with thought-provoking exhibits,” said Sen. Julia Kirt, Oklahoma City. “Learning from the past can improve our understanding of the present, and I’m grateful the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program makes that possible.”
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see Southern Nazarene University’s project receive support through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program,” said Rep. Tammy West, Oklahoma City. “This grant will significantly enhance our ability to safeguard and share the valuable narratives of our community, ensuring our history is both preserved and accessible.”
Southern Nazarene University received $7,179 for a project that will support the reorganization, housing, and limited cataloging of 200 collection boxes, enhancing access and preservation efforts. Additionally, funds will enable the purchase of a scanner to digitize newspaper clippings, preserving their content and reducing acid migration.
“We are very grateful to the Oklahoma Historical Society for allowing us to continue toward our vision of well-maintained archival material that is easily accessible by our patrons,” said Julie Lyles, archives director at Southern Nazarene University. “This grant will allow us to begin the process of rearranging and cataloging our collections to further assist our researchers in the future.”
The OHS will distribute over $520,000 in grant funds, with projects ranging from collections care and strategic planning to exhibit development and educational programming.
“Through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program, we’re not just funding projects; we’re investing in the preservation of Oklahoma’s rich and dynamic history,” said Nicole Harvey, director of strategic initiatives for the Oklahoma Historical Society. “These grants empower communities across the state to uphold their heritage for future generations, ensuring that the stories of Oklahoma continue to inspire and educate for years to come.”
The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program is a grants-in-aid program offered by the Oklahoma Historical Society to encourage 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 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 okhistory.org.
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