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
City of Vernon Chamber of Commerce Awarded Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is proud to announce that the City of Vernon Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
“I am delighted to see the City of Vernon Chamber of Commerce awarded a grant to enhance their community’s digital presence, ensuring Vernon’s rich history and promising future are accessible to everyone,” said Sen. Roger Thompson, Okemah. “This is a wonderful step forward in preserving our heritage.”
The City of Vernon Chamber of Commerce received $1,285 for a project that will support the development of cityofvernon-ok.org, showcasing the history and future of Vernon, Oklahoma. This includes website design, hosting, digitizing historical photos and documents, and enabling online donations with donor recognition.
“Technical assistance awarded by the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant funds will increase the visibility of the City of Vernon Chamber of Commerce and is deeply appreciated,” said Flora Walker, chairman of the board of The Vernon Chamber of Commerce Inc. “Vernon, Oklahoma, citizens will benefit from the Chamber’s fundraising and promoting exhibits to help preserve our historic sites. This grant will tremendously impact sending a message to the community and public about the importance of our forefathers’ hard work and their history as a foundation on which we can continue to build. Our new website will proudly focus on the Dozier Mercantile Building and Baccus Home, still standing for over 100 years.”
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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