Our mission is to promote preservation statewide. preservationoklahoma
THIS PLACE MATTERS!
WHAT ARE THESE EVENTS?
"This Place Matters" is an initiative that shares a co-branding with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The purpose of the program is to encourage people to share their memories and stories about the places that matter to them! This can also include learning about new places you've never visited; one way Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. is helping is by helping sponsor and host events and tours all across the state! So far, we've visited places like Sulphur, Durant, Cherokee and Boley (to name a few). We hope to host events at many other locations around Oklahoma to help learn more about our own rich history, and to introduce others to it as well.
SOME PHOTOS FROM A "THIS PLACE MATTERS" EVENT IN DURANT
The exterior of the old Opera House (currently a preservation in progress project)
The interior of the Opera House
An old filling station, currently the Three Valley Museum
The interior of the former "Cheap Jim's" Furniture Store, built in 1894
A historic storefront in downtown Durant
Historic Bryan County Courthouse
Tour participants inside the lobby of the old Bryan Hotel
RECENT VISIT TO BOLEY HISTORIC DISTRICT
Below are some of our new friends from the National Historic District of Boley, Oklahoma! This all-black town was established in 1903 and was advertised as a safe haven for African Americans across the country. The small town boomed, with people coming from all over the north and south to be a part of this unique and prosperous place. This particular "This Place Matters" tour had the unique opportunity to share the evening with a presentation of "Soulful Stories"
WHAT ARE THOSE SIGNS THEY'RE HOLDING?
When hosting the tours, we invite folks to pose for photographs holding a "This Place Matters" poster we've provided either in front of a favorite building, or along any stop on the tour. We take these photos and will post them here, but they'll also be uploaded onto the National Trust for Historic Preservation's national website! So, by simply visiting a neighboring town in Oklahoma and learning a few new historical tidbits, you can gain a little national recognition! It's that easy.