OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ARCHIVES DIVISION
The Archives and Manuscripts Division consists of five departments
within its structure. First and foremost is the Indian Archives. Created
in 1934, the collection contains 3.5 million documents pertaining to 67
tribes who were indigenous to Oklahoma or were forcibly removed west of
the Mississippi River and resettled within the borders of the state during
the l9th Century. Of these records, the Five Civilized Tribes are most prominent.
The Photographic Archives contains
some 630,000 black and white or color images from 1846 to the present. Subjects
include Native Americans; the old west; land openings which settled the
territory; depression era; and contemporary images of the state and her
people.
The Oral History collection had
its beginnings in 1965 with the creation of the Living Legends series. Since
that time, the collection has grown to over 6,000 audio as well as 3,000
video interviews. Persons from all walks of life have related their experiences
for future generations to research.
The Newspaper Department was founded
in 1893. The members of the Territorial Press Association were instrumental
in the development of the Historical Society. Their foresight in determining
that local news was important to retain as a historical record is why the
Society has one of the most complete collections of newspapers in the United
States. In 1957, the Society began to microfilm the collection. Consequently,
the collection contains 30,000 reels of film from 1844 to the present.
The Manuscript section of the Archives was developed in 1982. It contains
some 1,500 cubic feet of records such as diaries, journals, business records,
organization records, private papers of individuals influential in Oklahoma
history.
MORE INTERESTING THINGS IN THE ARCHIVES
Explorers -
Among the collections will be the A.W. Whipple Journals surveying for a
southern rail route. Also, Capt. Randolph Marcy survey. The Dragoon expedition
of 1834.
Mapping -
Besides what is mentioned above, the collection has maps of the region,
Indian and Oklahoma territories and the state.
Indians -
Five Civilized - Official records generated by the Cherokee, Chickasaw,
Choctaw, Creek and Seminole tribes from 1858-1906.
Indians -
Plains & Woodlands
- Agency records from 1865 - 1933.
Land Openings -
1889 - 1895, 1901
Records of who settled in Oklahoma Territory with some oral interviews found
in the WPA Pioneer Papers.
Constitutional Convention - 1906
Records of the daily activities of the delegates in forming Oklahoma government.
Statehood - 1907
Oral history as well as newspaper accounts of the events leading to statehood.
Oil Boom -
Mostly photographic in nature, there will be some oral
interviews and motion picture film of the development of these industries.
Depression -
1929-1941 records of the Federal Writers Project, Works Progress Administration,
Civilian Conservation Corps. with photographs and some oral histories of
the period.
Industry -
Various developing industries in the state such as timber, banking, agriculture,
mining and aviation.
Oklahoma Politics -
A wealth of data relating to the political arena from local, state, national
officials to scandals.
The Archives is open Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The
Archives does close for lunch on Saturday's from
12:00 to 1:00 pm. The mailing address is
Oklahoma Historical Society
2100 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone is (405) 522-5209 Fax (405) 521-2492
Library Resources Division
You're tapping on your computer and what do you see ... an ad. on the INTERNET
for the Historical Society. For history, genealogy, and your family tree,
come on down to the OHS Library it's the place to be. Don't be afraid to
drop us a line, cause we'd sure hate for you to be left behind.
The Research Library houses more than 65,000 titles including numerous works
on Oklahoma, Western, and Native American history. Our extensive federal
census collection covers all states from 1790 to 1900, and Arkansas, Illinois,
Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas for 1910. The Oklahoma schedules range
from 1890 through 1920. We also have the Oklahoma Confederate Pension Applications,
and the Oklahoma Federal Land Tract records available on microfilm.
Hours of Operations are: Monday, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm; Tuesday thru Saturday,
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
For a biographical research form and fee schedule.
For a brochure please contact Edward C. Shoemaker at the
Oklahoma Historical Society, Library Resources Division,
2100 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
or call
(405) 522-5221.
JOIN THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Begin your adventure into Oklahoma's exciting past...
Since 1893, the Oklahoma Historical Society has been working to preserve
our state's rich history through the operation of 32 sites and museums,
award winning publications, research and genealogical libraries, and a preservation
program.
An OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY membership entitles you to receive 4 issues
of The Chronicles of Oklahoma, the state's award winning historical journal,
12 monthly issues of Mistletoe Leaves, discounts through OHS museum stores,
and invitations to special events.
To join, complete the form.