Henry Bellmon Symposium

A two-day symposium on the life and career of Henry Bellmon is scheduled for November 21 and 22 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.

Registration is required and seating is limited. The $75 registration fee covers a reception, two meals, and all programs. The symposium is the third in series on Oklahoma governors co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Historical Society, the University of Oklahoma’s Center for Political Communication and the Center for the Studies of Democracy and Culture.

The program begins on November 21 at 5:30 pm and ends the next day at 3:15 pm.  Highlights on Thursday evening include a video introduction from Governor George Nigh, a video interview with Governor Henry Bellmon, and comments by journalists Jenk Jones and Ken Neal.

The following day the conference begins at 8:00 am with panel discussions and presentations by people who knew and served with Governor Bellmon.

Featured guests include Joe Allbaugh, Robert Henry, and Governor Bellmon’s daughters, Anne McFerron, Pat Hoerth, and Gail Wynne.

In 1962 a majority of Oklahomans elected Henry Bellmon as the state’s first Republican Governor. A decorated World War II veteran, Bellmon served the state first as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, serving one term (from 1946 till 1948). He remained active in Oklahoma politics and became chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party. He served as Oklahoma’s 18th and 23rd Governors, and also served two terms in the United States Senate. He is remembered as one of the most principled political leaders ever to serve in public office in Oklahoma.

For more information and to register, contact Rodger Randle at 918-660-3495 or by email at randle@ou.edu. You can also visit the website, tulsagrad.ou.edu/csdc/Bellmon.html.