January 22, 2016

James Madison Living History Program

Thursday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Oklahoma History Center | Oklahoma City, OK

The Oklahoma History Center is honored to present Bryan Austin as the fourth president of the United States, James Madison. This living history performance will take place on Thursday, February 4, at 7 p.m. There is no charge for this event, but seating is limited so an early arrival is recommended. This event is made possible by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council.

Currently, Bryan Austin represents the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and portrays President Madison in performances worldwide. Previously, he worked as a professional actor and director for everything from Shakespeare to puppetry. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is more than a tourist destination; it is a living history concept that brings students and visitors into the heart of history by using modern technology to tell the stories of America's past. The Oklahoma History Center is proud of its continued participation and partnership with this dedicated institution. The History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. For more information about this living history performance or other upcoming events, please call 405-522-3602.

Funding for this program is provided in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the OHC or NEH.

Spiro Mounds Receives Late Christmas Gift!

In January, the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center received a late Christmas gift, a four-seater golf cart. The golf cart was a donation from Astellas Pharma Technologies in Norman, Oklahoma.

For many years, the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center had a golf cart that helped physically-challenged individuals access to the 2 miles of trails around the prehistoric mound site. However, when that cart became unrepairable and funding was not available due to the continued state budget cuts, accessibility was limited to a donated wheelchair. Now all visitors have the chance to experience the only prehistoric, Native American, archaeological site in Oklahoma open to the public, with few restrictions. This is a great example of public and private cooperation allowing a better experience for all the people of Oklahoma.

The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is located three miles east of Spiro on highway 9/271 and four miles north on Lock and Dam Road. For further information, please contact Dennis Peterson at 918-962-2062 or spiro@okhistory.org.

Oklahoma Historical Society Chosen as Finalist

for Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards

The Oklahoma Historical Society is one of two dozen Oklahoma organizations that are now finalists for a $10,000 award and the title of the state's top nonprofit, thanks to the prestigious Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards, annually presented by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.

On April 9, 2016, the finalists will join supporters at Tulsa's Southern Hills Country Club to celebrate and hear the announcement of winners. Finalists are divided into eight mission categories and receive $5,000, with category winners receiving $7,500. At the end of the evening, an overall winner receives $10,000 and the title of the top nonprofit in the state. In total, organizations receive almost $150,000 to recognize the impact of their charitable work throughout the state. In 2014, the Center awarded the $1 millionth dollar to the sector. Since our first event, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits has given away $1,215,000.00 to Oklahoma nonprofits.

Out of approximately 18,000 nonprofits statewide, only 24 were named finalists.

Awards are presented in the following eight categories:

Arts and Humanities
Community
Education
Health Services
Self-Sufficiency
Seniors
Youth Development
Open

The ONE Awards Selection Commission, a group of prestigious community leaders from across Oklahoma, determine the finalists. The Commission, chaired by David Hogan, includes, Kathie Coyle, Nance Diamond, J. Jerry Dickman, Frederick F. Drummond, Ken Fergeson, Kim Henry, Phil Lakin, Jr., Frank Merrick, Polly Nichols, Meg Salyer, and Wendi Schuur.

"The finalists are selected because they are the best of the best at what they do," Hogan says. "From the top level of management down to the part time staff, these are committed individuals pulling together to achieve missions as big as Oklahoma."