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Mail your donation directly to OKCCHS:

OKCCHS
P.O. Box 893050
Oklahoma City, OK 73189-3050

The Oklahoma City/County Historical Society (OKCCHS) is currently establishing a Capital Campaign Fund to establish a multi-million dollar fund for the permanent display of Oklahoma City’s heritage and history in a museum. Immediate funds will help us institute an operating budget to construct, build, remodel, establish and negotiate a space for a museum in downtown Oklahoma City. The museum will be dedicated to preserving, exhibiting and protecting this great city’s heritage and history. Currently, Oklahoma City, the twenty-seventh fastest growing city in America, does not have a museum dedicated to the preservation of the city’s great heritage and artifacts. The last few years the OKCCHS has been actively pursuing the city’s support in establishing a museum in downtown Oklahoma City and is extremely enthusiastic about the initial support we have received from city officials.

OKCCHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization. All proceeds go towards the betterment of the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society and our collections. Our mission is dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing the diverse historical heritage of Oklahoma City and County. Our goal is to establish an Oklahoma City County Museum and actively present our treasures to the public to help raise the awareness of how historically significant Oklahoma City and County has been to the development of the state. We assist and work closely with the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Oklahoma Heritage Association, Preservation Oklahoma and other statewide organizations in matters pertaining to the history of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County.

2017 marked the 40th anniversary of the OKCCHS. We were founded on November 22, 1977 and to date are the oldest historic preservation group in Oklahoma City/County. Over the years, we have amassed a very sizable collection of artifacts of varying description representing the history of our area that date as far back to 1887. The bulk of the collection is from the 1890’s to the present. Included in our collection is an original Map of the Unassigned Lands dating two years prior to the founding of Oklahoma City in 1889. One of our famously known iconic artifacts is from international architect, I.M. Pei, and his model created in 1964, of the futuristic Oklahoma City in 1989. In 2010 we had the I.M. Pei plan on exhibit at the Cox Convention Center where over 600,000 people viewed it. In the early sixties at the time the Pei model was created, it was at an estimated cost of $60,000. Today, its value is immeasurable. In 2012 Chip Fudge deeded the façade easements of various historic buildings on Film Row, west of downtown Oklahoma City, to OKCCHS in the preservation of one of the oldest remaining “Film Rows” in America.

Over the last five years, the OKCCHS has added six new leaders within our community to our board of directors of 14. With a more modern concept of stewardship in the digital age, the newest members are re-imaging the OKCCHS within the community to include social media and a new website at okchistoricalsociety.org. Plus, we’ve begun to conduct regular membership meetings called the “Urban Lecture Renewal Series.” Our interesting and informative programs with prominent speakers are designed to stimulate interest in local history. This series has been well attended and a huge hit with the next generation and our membership growth is up.  

Each year we honor individuals, from both past and present, whose efforts and accomplishments have shaped the fabric of our city and county. These honorees are deemed “Pathmakers” as their contributions have led the path in the very making of history. One of our earliest recipients of the Pathmaker Award (posthumously) was E.K. Gaylord, owner and publisher of the The Oklahoman at that time. This year will mark the 29th Annual Pathmaker Gala Awards. The Gala will be held October 26, 2018 at the historic Skirvin Hotel. In the meantime, we invite the foundation and The Oklahoman to consider participating in our gala. Please see the accompanying packet of information regarding opportunities for our Gala. 

In addition to the Capital Campaign Fund to establish a museum, the Oklahoma City County Historical Society has an endowment fund that was established in 1978 with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. To date we’ve received over $207,000- in donations with a current Fund Market Value as of October 2017 of $314,000. The society gets a once a year distribution of 5% on the annual gains of the fund.

The Society is grateful to all our donors who ensure our legacy.

The Oklahoma City/County Historical Society has an endowment fund with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. To date we’ve received over $207,000- in donations with a current Fund Market Value as of October 2017 of $314,000- When donating please designate the “OKC County Historical Society” as the recipient of your generosity.  The Society is grateful to all our donors who ensure our legacy.
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For online donations to our fund or for more information about donating to our fund please visit the Oklahoma City Community’s Foundation Website