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
Southwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation, Inc. Awarded Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is proud to announce that the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation, Inc. has been awarded a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
“The Southwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation, under the leadership of Executive Director Garrett King, does phenomenal work in helping raise additional funds to meet the needs of students, which in turn benefits our surrounding communities and our entire region in a variety of positive ways,” said Rep. Anthony Moore, Clinton. “This grant will provide extra resources to complete a project that I believe will be important to students, alumni, and university supporters for decades to come. I’m grateful to the staff at the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program for deeming this project worthy of support. It will mean a lot to our SWOSU family.”
Southwestern Oklahoma State University Foundation, Inc. received $19,730 that will be utilized to digitize analog assets from the SWOSU Athletics collections, specifically 92 seven-inch film reels. The content will be added to the SWOSU Digital Commons upon digitization, ensuring broad accessibility. Additionally, funds will support labeling, organization, and archival measures for the film reels, enhancing their preservation and usability.
“Phase two of our digitization efforts in the General Thomas P. Stafford Archives will focus on converting approximately 100 seven-inch film reels from the SWOSU Athletics collections,” said Jason Dupree, director of the Al Harris Library. “These historic films of university athletic competitions have not been viewed by the public, and it’s our goal to make these films accessible to SWOSU coaching staff, student-athletes, alumni, and other interested parties.”
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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