WIDE OPEN FOR PRESERVATION

23rd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference

June 8-10, 2011  Guymon, OK

It is the perfect time and place to learn about the heritage of the Great Plains and its preservation, to examine the ways historic preservation makes sense for the environment, and to explore the opportunities for small towns and rural areas to benefit from historic preservation initiatives.

The three concurrent tracks of sessions include:

TRACK A:  Preservation in the Wide Open Spaces, featuring the archeological and historic resources of the Great Plains and efforts to preserve them.

TRACK B:  Old is the New Green, addressing how rehabilitation work is good for the environment and how new technology can be used in preservation projects.  (Track B title used with permission of Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.)

TRACK C:  The Local Preservation Environment, focusing on the development of successful community preservation programs and how they support community revitalization efforts. 

The plenary session will feature J. Paul Loether, Chief, National Historic Landmarks/National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service.  He will discuss historic landscapes, the importance of historic setting, and the challenges in balancing our needs for alternative energy sources and protection of historic places.   His national perspective will help guide Oklahoma's preservation community as we focus on this complex new issue.

Tours will include a full-day trip to visit Santa Fe Trail Landmarks and the Black Mesa/Kenton Area.  The two half-day tours with lunch include (1) a visit to No Man's Land Museum and Panhandle State University's Art Department with Raku Firing demonstration or (2) a trip to the historic Norwegian community of Oslo, Texas, featuring its historic church and traditional Norwegian food.  Other special events will include a Mexican Quinceanera luncheon, Preservation Oklahoma, Inc.'s annual meeting and luncheon, and the State Historic Preservation Office's annual awards banquet.

Conference co-sponsors include the State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society; the Oklahoma Main Street Center, Oklahoma Department of Commerce; Preservation Oklahoma, Inc.; Oklahoma Sustainability Network; Main Street Guymon; City of Guymon, Convention and Tourism; Guymon Chamber of Commerce; Pioneer Showcase; and Guymon Chapter, No Man's Land Historical Society.

Full conference program and registration information will be available in late April.  Track conference developments on the following websites:

http://www.okhistory.org/shpo/shpoevents.htm; www.twitter.com/okshpo; and www.okpreservationconference.wordpress.com.

Contact Melvena Heisch at (405)522-4484 or mheisch@okhistory.org or Melyn Johnson, Main Street Guymon, at (580)338-6246 or by email at director@mainstreetguymon.com, if you have questions about the conference.