Oklahoma Cultural Heritage Trust

 The Oklahoma Cultural Heritage Trust, a partnership between the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the Oklahoma Museums Association, the Oklahoma Historical Records Advisory Board, and the Oklahoma Historical Society received a $245,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for a two-year project to help families, archives, libraries, and museums from throughout Oklahoma learn practical ways to preserve important artifacts, photographs, and documents. Activities include public awareness campaigns, "how to" training opportunities, site visits to collecting institutions by professional conservators, and a traveling exhibit on caring for family treasures.

Upcoming Key Project Dates 

• March 15 - Nomination deadline for "Top Ten Most Endangered Artifacts" campaign (a great way to let the public know that you care about your collections)
• March 15 - Application deadline for scholarships to the Collections Care Conference (scholarships may include registration and lodging)
• April 1 - Early Bird Registration deadline for the Collections Care Conference (after April 1, registration goes to $150)
• April 1 - Last day to reserve a $81 a night room at the Sheraton Hotel in OKC (this is almost � price...reserve ASAP as the OKC Thunder may be in town for the playoffs, making hotel rooms almost impossible to book)
• April 28 - Preserving Family Treasures Road Show, Oklahoma History Center (this is a fun, free opportunity to consult with collections care professionals)
• April 29-30 - Collections Care Conference, Sheraton Hotel, OKC ($125 includes two days of top-notch training, two breakfasts, two luncheons, and two evening events)
• April 29 - Reception at the American Banjo Museum (free with conference registration)
• April 30 - Jewel Box Receptions at the Oklahoma City  Museum of Art, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Red Earth Museum and Gallery, and Myriad Gardens (free with conference registration)
• May 1 - May Day Call to Action at the Oklahoma State Capitol (a great way to interact with your state legislators and a fun day to be at the Capitol as it is also Bob Wills Day)
• May 1 - "Our Endangered Heritage" Traveling Exhibit launches statewide tour (now scheduling two-week bookings of the 12-panel exhibit that features information on caring for books, photographs, ceramics, metals, clocks, jewelry, recordings, scrapbooks, textiles, and organic materials)

We can't emphasize enough the importance of taking advantage of these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.  Please act TODAY.

Preserving Family Treasures Road Show

 Reserve FREE tickets here. The event is free, but reservations are required.  Tickets are limited, so reserve yours today.

Do you have items you want to preserve? Would you like to learn more about your items? If so, make plans to attend the Family Treasures Road Show on Sunday afternoon, April 28 at the Oklahoma History Center.

From 1pm to 3pm, collections care professionals from around the nation will be on hand to advise you on the best way to preserve treasured items.

From 3pm to 5pm, the collections care professionals will participate in an "Ask the Experts" Public Forum where they will evaluate and discuss the care of a few items brought in by participants. Ample time is allowed for audience members to ask questions.

Participants may bring one item from home and Road Show professionals will provide guidance on how to properly care for the item. Participants not bringing an item may wish to arrive later.

Eight categories of items will be evaluated:

*Paper (letters, comic books, certificates, maps, and other paper-based items)
*Photographs (all types, as well as scrapbooks and albums)
*Recordings (home movies, cassette tapes, VHS, and others)
*Art Work (all types)
*Ceramics and Glass (all types)
*Metals (silver, copper, brass, etc.)
*Textiles (quilts, flags, clothing)
*Organics (leather, baskets, feathers, etc.)

Appraisal services will not be provided. Furniture, taxidermy, or weapons of any kind (swords, guns, knives, ec.) are not allowed.