Melvena Heisch

Melvena Heisch

Deputy Director of the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office

Melvena Heisch has worked for over forty years in the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office at the Oklahoma Historical Society. For most of that time, serving as the Deputy SHPO.

Heisch led one of the major initiatives – the documentation of buildings, structures, sites, and objects associated with historic Route 66 and the nomination of eligible properties the the National Register of Historic Places. She was a huge advocate of encouraging the preservation of historic properties through several activities.

Heisch contributed to the Route 66 Extraordinary Women Initiative to support the many women business owners helping protect and share the legacy of the “Mother Road.” She is a constant voice for Route 66 preservation and the 2020 Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame awardee.