Stillwater Living Magazine Volume 10 Issue 12 June 2014 | страница 17
historically speaking
Presenting Your Award-Winning
Local Histor y Museum!
B Y A M M I E B R YA N T
On Friday, April 25, 2014, the Oklahoma Historical
Society presented the Outstanding Local History
Museum Award to the Sheerar Museum of Stillwater
History. The award was presented during the OHS
Annual Awards Luncheon held in conjunction with
the OHS Annual Meeting at the Stillwater Community
Center. Sheerar Museum Board of Trustees President,
Billy McCollom, Vice President, Pat Jaynes, and past
President, Gladeen Allred were present to accept the
award on behalf of the Sheerar Museum of Stillwater
History.
I have often heard the Sheerar Museum called
Stillwater’s “hidden gem”. Located at the gateway to
the culture district at the corner of 7th and Duncan
Street, the museum building still resembles the church
it was originally constructed to be in 1928. Majestic neoclassical pillars stand as the perfect backdrop for photographic opportunities, as well as an inviting entrance to
the auditorium level of the building. While the building
is classically beautiful and a unique representation of
Stillwater’s architecture, the real treasure is the contents
of that building. Inside are countless stories. Artifacts,
archives, and photographs tell the story of Stillwater’s
rich heritage and culture. All of these pieces that make
up this culture have been collected over the past 40 years
and preserved by volunteers and professional museum
staff who value those stories and understand their priceless, irreplaceable nature.
It brings me great pride to see a little museum recognized by a state-wide organization like the Oklahoma
Historical Society. During my six years at the museum,
we have presented 17 exhibits and 21 programs and have
fulfilled countless research requests for our patrons. My
proudest accomplishments include the recent renovation and redesign of the long term exhibits on the perimeter of the exhibit gallery, as well as updating and
presenting an all new education program for area third
graders this spring.
JUNE 2014 | STILLWATER LIVING MAGAZINE
17