The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) announced Friday that The Chisholm has been awarded $25,000 through the Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program.

This funding will support expanding its digitization capacity, enabling collaboration with community stakeholders to identify digital content and transition additional resources to The Gateway to Oklahoma History.

“The Chisholm houses a unique and extensive photograph collection that chronicles rural life in western Oklahoma through more than 100,000 images from the 1910s through the 1970s,” said Jason R. Harris, executive director of the Kingfisher museum.

“These pictures capture the essence of life in Oklahoma throughout the period. This grant will help us continue to make this collection available to the public.”

Harris and the rest of the staff at The Chisholm have been working to digitize the photo collection.

Harris said The Chisholm has also sought volunteers to help with the project.

“While the museum has already made significant progress on this exciting project, we need your help to continue preserving these important memories for future generations,” Harris told the KT&FP in February.

The museum is looking for volunteers who can dedicate a few hours each month to the effort.

The digitization process is straightforward and involves using a scanner and computer to create high-quality digital copies of these treasured photographs, Harris said.

No prior experience is necessary as the collections staff will provide all the training and support needed for volunteers.

Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, had two groups in his district receive grants.

“I am pleased to hear the Oklahoma Historical Society Board has awarded two grants in my district to The Chisholm in Kingfisher, along with the Okeene Historic Preservation Group,” stated Dobrinski.

“Both of these organizations provide valuable historic resources in my district and work very hard not only to ensure local history is preserved but do so economically in a sustainable fashion.

“It is my honor to represent both of these fine organizations and continue to support and promote the efforts of OHS at the Capitol.”

The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program awarded more than $577,000 to 40 projects statewide this year, supporting initiatives such as collections care, exhibit development, strategic planning and educational programming.

“The Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant Program is a powerful tool for connecting communities with their history,” said Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. “These grants help local organizations preserve and share stories that might otherwise be lost, strengthening our shared identity and ensuring that future generations can experience Oklahoma’s rich heritage.”

The grant program supports tribal and municipal governments and not-forprofi t historical organizations throughout the state.

Awards range from $1,000 to $25,000 for projects that advance the collection, preservation and sharing of Oklahoma history.

Applications for the next grant cycle will open this fall.

For more information, visit okhistory.org/ grants.