Annual Awards

Each year, the Oklahoma Heritage Association honors individuals, teachers, organizations, and newspapers or other periodicals for their work in preserving state and local history.

Award categories are:

• Educators teaching grades 4 through 12 who have demonstrated excellence in teaching Oklahoma history. The winner will receive a cash prize.

• Educators from an Oklahoma college/university who are committed to preserving state and local history. The winner will receive a cash prize.

• Organizations that are committed to preserving state and local history. The winner will receive a cash prize.

• Individuals who have volunteered to preserve state and local history. The winner will receive a special award.

• Individuals who have ambitiously demonstrated volunteer and civic efforts that grow pride in their community; are well known for engaging the community in their efforts; and have created a legacy of pride for future generations. (Lee Allan Smith Legacy Award)

• Periodicals that have shown a commitment to preserving state and local history through feature articles or a series of articles/editorials that promote state history. The winner will receive a special award.

Congratulations to the 2010 award winners!

Patsy McIlvain, Horace Mann Elementary School, Woodward
Edward L. & Thelma Gaylord Excellence in Teaching Oklahoma History Award

Steven Woods, Tulsa Community College
Wanda Bass Award for Excellence in Teaching Oklahoma History

Marjorie Barton, Muskogee
Oklahoma Heritage Distinguished Service Award for Preservation of State and Local History

101 Ranch Old Timers Association, Ponca City
Edward L. & Thelma Gaylord Award for Preservation of State and Local History

KFOR-TV’s Galen Culver and “Is This a Great State or What” program, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Heritage Distinguished Editorial Award for Preservation of State and Local History

Bob Burke, Oklahoma City
Lee Allan Smith Oklahoma Legacy Award

The 2010 Annual Awards Luncheon at which the recipients will be honored will be held Wednesday, March 31 at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum and will begin at 12 p.m. Individual reservations for the luncheon are $40 for Association and Museum members or $50 for non-members, and sponsorship opportunities are available. David L. Boren, president of the University of Oklahoma, will be the featured speaker.

At 11 a.m., a book signing will be held featuring Boren and his biography Oklahoma Statesman: The Life of David L. Boren and Marjorie Barton, author of Leaning on a Legacy: The WPA in Oklahoma.

To purchase luncheon reservations, call 405.523.3203 or email mc@oklahomaheritage.com.