The Western Oklahoma Historical Society board of directors met for their regular monthly meeting Monday, April 22nd, at 11 a.m., in Elk City’s Western Technology Center. President Mike Blevins opened the meeting and followed with the invocation.
The board approved the minutes from the last meeting, as well as treasurer Beverly Jordan’s report. Blevins went on to cover the Standing Committee reports, which included the Farm and Ranch report given by Jim Coffey. Randy Haggard followed Coffey with the Blacksmith report. He noted that there would be a meeting on Saturday, and the group cleaned out the shop a couple of weeks ago.
There was a donation of tools to the Blacksmiths that had belonged to the late Bob Kennemer. This was a major donation because of the rarity of the tools in the donation.
Jordan gave the flea market report. She noted that in late May they will send out letters to previous vendors, make flyers for the event, and post the announcements on social media. She added that her job with the flea market was so much better because of the help from Mike Ross with the city’s parks department.
In the membership report, Cindy Wood said that she received two more family memberships, and one more Pioneer membership. There is one more Lifetime member that makes four new lifetime members this year.
Judy Haught gave the Archives report. She said that they have gone through the box that Randy Haggard gave her last month that included letters and greeting cards. She added that she had learned from reading the correspondence that Elk City had an Army/Navy Offi cer’s Club. She would like to talk to the sons of the WWII Navy pilot who was the owner of the archived letters. They will be putting the correspondence on the website.
In the Museum Board Chairman’s report, Haggard said that the rodeo grounds were getting new chutes, and they were donating four of them to the museum. He gave the board some ideas about what could be done with them, but since he had just learned about the donation, the options had not been fully investigated. The board showed the support of displaying the historical chutes.
There has also been a donation of a large shell casing that was used in the 2001 Fallen Heroes ceremony at Ft. Sill. This was in honor of Elk City’s Bob Wright who sacrificed his life during the Vietnam War.
Carla Garrison said that the docents held their annual luncheon. They will be meeting on May 24th to set up the store. She added that they need additional volunteers for the summer. The store will open on May 27th. Contact Garrison if interested in volunteering for the summer.
Museum curator, Charles Wren told the board about the possible donation of a teepee. He is also working on replacing the Popeye room. Wren said that it needs to be transportation related and is looking for suggestions.
Haggard complemented Wren on his contribution to the museum. This is the first time that the museum has had a professional to help with displays and historical significance of those exhibits.
No other business was conducted, and the meeting adjourned at 11:47 p.m. The next meeting will take place on May 27th, at 11 a.m., in WTC.
