I have good news to share.

The proposal to abolish the OHS membership, convert the OHS board of directors to an advisory committee, and transfer all collections and assets to a tourism super-agency did not survive the first few weeks of the legislative session. Unless it reappears as an amendment to a surviving bill, and it could, consolidation is dead for the session.

There are two reasons the bill died.

One was the response from people around the state who understood that consolidation would mean the end of the Oklahoma Historical Society as a non-partisan, independent organization with the ability to raise funds and find partners for the cause of collecting, preserving, and sharing our heritage.

Caring people like you wrote letters, made telephone calls, and sent emails to legislators in both the House and Senate. Legislators and their assistants described the volume as "a flood." And that was done without a call to action. The Mistletoe Leaves with the stories about consolidation appeared only one day before the bill died, and even then, we did not ask for action. We simply described the facts of the bill and the likely outcomes of passage.

The other reason the bill received such little support is a reflection of our success. Simply put, legislators and their constituents recognize that we have done a good job of raising standards, creating efficiencies, and seeking partners. When the war cry of consolidation was unleashed, we did not have to lobby for support. We already had it.

Yes, I have good news to share. The OHS is moving full speed ahead, confident that our entrepreneurial business plan, productivity, and partnerships will be recognized and respected. Stay tuned for more details.

The 2014 Oklahoma History Conference will feature 24 speakers who have done research on a variety of topics relating to the conference theme "Crossroads of Commerce: The Free Enterprise History of Oklahoma." The conference is scheduled for April 23, 24 and 25 in Stillwater, and the general public is invited to register to attend the sessions and participate in some or all of the planned activities. The Oklahoma History Conference is sponsored by the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Conference presenters include W. David Baird, Malibu, California; Brandy Baldwin, Wynnewood; Brett Bingham, Tulsa; Drew Braum, Oklahoma City; Tom Buchanan, Altus; Sarah Chan, Alva; Chester Cowen, Norman; David Davis, Oklahoma City; Kathy Dickson, Choctaw; Linda English, Edinburg, Texas; and Bruce Fisher, Oklahoma City.

Other presenters featured will be Hugh Foley, Stillwater; Janie Harris, Tulsa; Nicole Harvey, Oklahoma City; Tracey Hanshew, Stillwater;  Michael Hightower, Oklahoma City; Dennis Peterson, Spiro; Linda Reese, Norman; Andrew Snyder, El Reno; Alyce Vigil, Stillwater; J. Kirk Webster, Oklahoma City; Jeffrey M. Widener, Norman; and Chad Williams, Oklahoma City.

For detailed information on the conference and to register, contact Shelly Crynes at 405-522-0317 or scrynes@okhistory.org, or Alma Moore at 1-800-750-4090. Or visit our website. Participation in the various presentation sessions, luncheons, concert and other activities requires previous registration and payment of fees.

The Caddo Festival 2014 will be held April 19, 2014, at the Oklahoma History Center. The Caddo Language Symposium will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. Traditional Caddo dances, including the Turkey, Drum, Bear, Duck, and Alligator Dances will follow from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The public can enjoy a meet-and-greet with Caddo Nation and American Indian Expo Princess Alaina Poole and MC3 Princesses Shoshoni Murphy and Naia Montoya during the event.

The Caddo Festival is sponsored by the Metro Caddo Cultural Club and the Oklahoma History Center. For more information, please contact Jeri Red Corn at 405-447-9087.