OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is proud to announce that the Bristow Historical Society, Inc. has been awarded a grant through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
The Bristow Historical Society, Inc. has been awarded $10,912.37 for a project titled “History Speaks—Making our Oral History Collection More Accessible.” The organization will develop kiosks to be located in the museum featuring its unique collection of 80 oral histories. The kiosks will allow visitors to view and select a person whose history they would like to hear. Once a segment of the interview has played, the visitor can follow directions to hear the rest of the interview on their personal device or they can select another interview.
“Congratulations to the Bristow Historical Society on receiving an Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant,” said Sen. James Leewright, Bristow. “Developing these interactive oral histories is crucial in expanding public access to our community’s history, and it is wonderful that these funds will allow them to do this.”
“The awarding of this grant is wonderful news for the community of Bristow and the Bristow Historical Society,” said Rep. Kyle Hilbert, Bristow. “Making these oral histories more accessible and interactive for the public is an important aspect of preserving our community’s history.”
“The Bristow Historical Society, Inc. is most appreciative of the opportunities that the Oklahoma Historical Society has provided to our small, community museum,” said Debbie Corwin, president of the Bristow Historical Society, Inc. “This most recent grant will allow us to add technology that will further share Bristow’s oral histories to visitors. Eventually, we plan to expand and use that same technology on our Town Square renovation. Thank you to the Oklahoma Historical Society—your investment in Bristow is much appreciated.”
The total amount of funds that will be distributed this year is just over $558,000, with projects ranging from collections care and strategic planning to exhibit development and educational programming. “Entering our third year of the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program, the OHS is thrilled with the program’s success,” said Nicole Harvey, director of strategic initiatives and grants administrator for the OHS. “To date, the program has funded over 120 projects that are aiding with collecting, preserving and sharing Oklahoma history for local communities across the state.”
The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program is a grants-in-aid program offered by the Oklahoma Historical Society with a goal of encouraging 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 www.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 www.okhistory.org.
