Film and Video Archives
The Film and Video Archives include more than 12 million linear feet of footage dating from 1908 to the present. Notable collections include that of Arthur Ramsey, a 1930s Oklahoma newsreel cameraman; Haskell Pruett, who worked at Oklahoma A&M; the Colcord Family Film Collection featuring home footage from the 1920s and 1930s; and the WKY, KTVY, KFOR Collection. Visit the Archives Catalog to search holdings.
Accessing Film and Video in the Research Center
Visit the Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center to view these materials. Saturday access to film and video must be requested by 4 p.m. on Friday. You may also view film and video online; see the links below.
View Film and Video Online
OHS Archives
Visit the OHS Archives on YouTube
More than 1,400 recordings from the Film and Video Archives are available on YouTube. Explore Oklahoma's past through historic footage featuring family films, community activities, sports, political events, iconic figures, and more.
WKY KTV KFOR Archives
Visit the WKY Archives on YouTube
Spanning nearly thirty years, the WKY-TV Moving Image Collection [2013.134] contains the photojournalistic historical record of the state of Oklahoma from 1953 to 1979. In three decades the face of the nation and Oklahoma changed dramatically, and the footage contained in the approximately 8,000 film reels tells the story. Through news footage, documentaries, and television specials this archive captures a rare audio/visual view into Oklahoma's past. Each film has been digitized in high definition, described, and given context where available using the archive of The Oklahoman.
Note: The Foreman Scotty Show and The Adventures of 3-D Danny were filmed live in the studio. Unfortunately, other than the occasional promo or random episode, no full record of these shows exists.
Former WKY-TV employee Jon Spence has donated an oral history collection comprised of interviews with past WKY-TV employees. View the interviews on YouTube.
Order Film and Video
To order copies of items in the OHS Film and Video Archives, use the links below or contact us directly. The research fee includes two hours of research and is nonrefundable.
Diane Wasser, film and video archivist
405-522-6674
Diane.Wasser@history.ok.gov
You may also order by mail using our printable order form.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Research fee: Oklahoma resident | $100 |
| Research fee: out-of-state resident | $200 |
| Processing fee | $100 |
| High-definition digital file | $100 per item |
| Use fee: in-state/local | $50 per minute* |
| Use fee: non-profit/public television | $100 per minute* |
| Use fee: large market | $500 per minute* |
Details on Use
*Use fees will be prorated in 15-second increments.
Please send a use request in writing or email in advance of the release of product for sale or broadcast. Payment for use fees must be made in advance of publication or offer for resale is made. A “Permission to Use” letter will be processed and sent after fees are received.
A proper credit line is mandatory. Unless otherwise specified, all materials must be credited as follows: name of oral history source (person), or collection name of audio or video. “Courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society.” Producers shall furnish the OHS Research Division, without charge, one copy of each video/audio in which OHS is indicated as being their source. Use fee payments are due prior to the time of release.
The OHS does not give exclusive rights to any publisher, author, producer, or photographer, and assumes no responsibility for duplication of subjects by others and no responsibilities for claims by third parties.
