Explore the meaning behind historic gravestones on Tuesday, April 14, at the Pioneer Woman Museum. Gravestones and cemeteries are rich in a language of symbols, though many of those symbols can be difficult to interpret because of changes in meaning over time. By examining the grave markers one can learn more than just the person's name. This class will provide the skills necessary to investigate the past through tombstones. The class is free and will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is required. For more information or to register please contact the Pioneer Woman Museum staff at  piown@okhistory.org or 580-765-6108.

The Oklahoma Historical Society and the American Organ Institute at the University of Oklahoma have announced a partnership to rebuild a rare theatre-style organ first played by Ken Wright on WKY Radio in 1934.

The Kilgen Opus 5281, a four-manual, 14-rank theatre-style pipe organ purchased by E. K. Gaylord for live radio broadcasts, has been silent and locked in storage for almost 20 years. When the renovation is completed in 2016, the Kilgen will be fully playable in the Devon Great Hall of the Oklahoma History Center.

John Schwandt of the American Organ Institute and Bob Blackburn of the Oklahoma Historical Society

"Our partnership with OU gives us a unique opportunity to bring back to life an artifact that is deeply embedded in the artistic and commercial history of Oklahoma," said Dr. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. "We have the perfect space to enjoy the organ's full range of music and partners willing to fund the project, while the American Organ Institute not only has the expertise and shop to restore it, but also the staff and students to play and maintain this piece of Oklahoma history."

The first phase of the project will be the rebuilding of the ornate console. According to Dr. John Schwandt, director of the American Organ Institute, this phase will entail the complete dismantling and renewal of the console cabinet as well as all the playing hardware, such as keyboards, stop keys, pedals and other controls.

The second phase will require removing all of the pipes, traps and percussions, as well as the windchests (upon which the pipes stand) and other components related to the organ's wind system. The organ will be set up and fully tested in the AOI's shop facility in Norman before installation at the Oklahoma History Center.

"Once completed, this will be one of the last surviving original Kilgen theatre pipe organs in the country. It is our privilege to take part in the preservation of a significant artistic piece of Oklahoma's history as well as allowing a national musical treasure to be appreciated and enjoyed by generations to come. Our students and staff at the AOI are committed to excellence and we anticipate first-rate results for the project," said Schwandt.

When completed, the console will be installed in a new museum exhibit called "Crossroads of Commerce: A History of Free Enterprise in Oklahoma," which will open on November 16, 2015.

"By day, the Kilgen console will illustrate the story of music, entertainment and broadcasting," said Dusty Miller, the volunteer curator for the exhibit. "At least four times a year, the console will be moved to the Devon Great Hall of the History Center, connected to the 14 ranks of pipes and instruments, and played by guest artists for concerts, silent films and live radio reenactments."

According to Miller, musicians who have been in the domed space of the History Center say the sound should be spectacular.

"Through the art of music, the Kilgen will draw visitors to the museum," he said. "Through the story of the Kilgen, the music will take visitors back to a time and place in the history of Oklahoma."

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) have announced that proposals are being accepted for the purchase or lease and redevelopment of the historic Oklahoma State Capital Publishing Company Building located at 301 West Harrison in Guthrie.  

According to OHS Executive Director Dr. Bob Blackburn, "The OHS acquired the building in 1975 for $10 with plans to develop the property as a publishing museum. At that time the OHS was able to access federal preservation grant funds to assist with the repair and restoration of the building, but the federal and state funding available were never enough to completely restore and maintain the structure."

"While we are sad at the closing of a museum, we are excited about the potential business development with the City of Guthrie," announced Guthrie City Manager Sereniah Breland. "There are many exciting possibilities for the future of the building that can help build and maintain a vital downtown business district," continued Breland.

The State Capital Publishing Museum opened to the public in 1980 with two staff members. For a few years staff and volunteers managed to keep the presses and linotypes in operation for programs, and several successful student programs were developed including Territorial Times. Under this program a group of high school students produced their own territorial newspaper. Students interviewed costumed interpreters they encountered on the streets of Guthrie to find their stories. They sold advertising, wrote stories, set type and printed their newspaper. Other programs included Book Arts with activities such as paper making and marbling. Unfortunately these museum programs fell victim to budget cuts in the 1990s when it became necessary to reduce the staff to one. Further budget cuts in 2009 led to the decision to contract the daily operation of the museum to the Logan County Historical Society (LCHS). The LCHS struggled to keep operations going until the boiler failed in October 2012. The replacement of the boiler was estimated at $120,000.

"With only $700,000 in state appropriated repair and maintenance funds for 31 museums and historic sites, the OHS board made the decision to declare the building surplus," stated Blackburn. "This was a difficult decision," Blackburn continued, "but the building was falling to a progressing state of decline."

The boiler was the most immediate problem, but in reality the building needed an estimated $4 million in repairs. The staff and board of the OHS determined the best way to save the building from further decline was to return it to active use in the Guthrie business district and negotiations began with OMES to find the best way to ensure the building's future. Blackburn said, "With the development of the historic Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City as an example, it was determined it would be better to send out a call for development proposals rather than simply offering the building for sale. Under this process the State of Oklahoma and the City of Guthrie have more control over the future of the building."

The State Capital Publishing Company Building is an anchor for the National Historic Landmark District in Guthrie and is an iconic image for the state. Built in 1902, the building was designed by Belgian architect Joseph Foucart. The 50,000 square foot building was constructed in only six months by newspaper publisher Frank Greer after an Easter Sunday fire destroyed his previous building. In addition to the newspaper, the company did official printing for the territorial government, and sold a complete line of office, school and stationery supplies.

The Request for Proposals will remain open until November 2 when a review committee will begin evaluation of all proposals. The committee consists of representatives from the OHS, OMES, the preservation community, and the City of Guthrie. In part, proposals will be evaluated based upon the criteria of community benefits, qualifications and experience of the redevelopers, financial capacity and historic preservation objectives. The OHS will maintain a preservation easement on the façade of the building to ensure it remains historically accurate.

Two pre-submittal building tours will be held on Tuesday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursday, April 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the site. Prospective redevelopers are invited to inspect the property during the tours prior to developing and submitting a proposal. Proposal packets can be obtained at  inforeals@omes.ok.gov.