Who We Are

Photo Credit: OCCHS Supported Material

Our story

Founded on November 22, 1977, the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society is the oldest organization focused on preserving, sharing and celebrating local history.
Our board meets monthly. We host membership gatherings throughout the year where we enjoy tours of historic sites and enjoy presentations by historic figures, historians and authors.
Our featured event is the annual Pathmakers banquet, in which we honor individuals, past and present, whose efforts and accomplishments have shaped the fabric of city and county.
Since taking Retro Metro OKC under our umbrella, we also host thousands of photos, videos, documents and memorabilia that span from the first day of the April 22, 1889 Land Run to present.
Our new event calendar is set up to keep visitors informed about events of interest to those wanting to learn more about our history.
People can join the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society for a $35 tax-deductible donation. OKCCHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization. We welcome anyone who would like to become involved in our efforts.

Board of directors

Marva Ellard – President
John Michael Williams – Vice President
Kala Beard – Secretary
Randy McMillin – Treasurer
Dr. Gloria Anderson – Board Member
Anita Arnold – Board Member
Jack Money – Board Member
John Dunning – Board Member
Steve Lackmeyer – Board Member
Cathy O’Connor – Board Member
Michael Schwarz – Board Member
Katie Friddle – Board Member
Jennifer Day – Board Member
John Coyle – Board Member

Pathmakers

The Oklahoma City/County Historical Society launched its annual Pathmaker Awards in 1990 in celebration of the city and county’s 100th birthday. The awards were established to recognize individuals for lasting paths which they’ve created in the development of Oklahoma County.
Honorees that first year included Henry Overholser, often referred to as the father Oklahoma City; Dr. Angello Scott, one of the city’s principal cultural leaders longtime newspaper publisher E.K. Gaylord; and Nan Sheets, often credited with starting the city’s arts community.
Living honorees that year included banker Jack T. Conn; civic leader Harvey P. Everest; W.P “Bill” Atkinson, founder of Midwest City; and philanthropist John E. Kirkpatrick.

Life Members

Margaret Baker

Bob Burke

Lou Burris

Mary Gilmore Caffrey

Scott & Carol Davis

John & Anita Dunning

William Durrett

Tom Dykstra

Warren Edwards

Diana K. Flynn

Deenen Gambrell

Mr. & Mrs. Byron Gambulos

Helen Gretz

Jay Hannah

Shirley Harris

Melvina Heisch

Joy Hill

Teresa R. Hill

Dr. Michael W. Krug

Robert & Betty Mccoy

Catherine O’Connor

Deborah Oliver

Kendra Orcutt

Oren L. Peters

Charlie & Nancy Potts

Rev. John A. Reed Sr

Kathryn Stone

R&Y Thurman

Jack L. Werner & Suzanne Broadbent

Paul & Margaret Woods

1980 Charter Members

This 1980 listing of charter members shows the depth and standing of those who dedicated themselves to ensuring the history of the city and county is preserved to be shared with future generations.

Charter Life Members

Marle and Kathleen Abshere

Fisher Ames

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Anthony

Irene Bracht Beals

Edward F. Beltram

Laura M. Bleakley

Carole Bourlon

Edward Denton Brewer

Lawrence E. Brock III

Michelle Brown

Livette Douglas Burt

Catherine McKinney Butler

Bernest Cain

Bud R. Carson

Don V. Cogman

Barbara Coleman

Mrs. Vernon E. Cook

Dr. and Mrs. Tullas Coston

Edna Mae Couch

Judge Fred Daugherty

Mrs. Olen Delaney

Harry L. Deupree, M.D.

Almyra M. Duval

Dr. Josef Faust

Mrs. Gordon Ferguson

Streeter B. Flynn, Jr.

T. Bernice Flynn

Joan E. Gilmore

Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Grady, Jr.

Dr. Donald E. Green

Robert A. Hefner, Jr.

Carolyn G. Hill

Herschel H. Hobbs & Mrs. Hobbs

John Kilpatrick, Jr.

Irene Strum Lefebvre & Paul E. Lefebvre

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Loeffler, Jr.

Ona Loewenstein

Mrs. Wendell Long

Mrs. Mildred Lundberg

Frank D. Lyons

Richard Magann

Dean A. McGee

Bishop Paul W. Milhouse

Mr. and Mrs. John M. Murphy

Mary Jo Nelson & Monteray Nelson

Don R. Nicholson

W. H. Pat O’Bryan

Dr. Don H. O’Donoghue

Mrs. Joe M. Parker

Art E. Pemberton

Dr. and Mrs. Richard B. Price

L. E. Rader, Sr.

Jordan B. Reaves

Dub Richardson

William J. Ross

Elmer E. Rubac

Mrs. Sam P. Shelburne

Lucyl Shirk

Marilyn Shuman

William H. Silk

Dr. and Mrs. Armond H. Start

Roy P. Stewart

Mrs. R. T. Stuart

Edward F. Sweeney

Michael C. Thomas

Mr. and Mrs. Louis H. Thompson

Dr. and Mrs. Wayman J. Thompson

Kathleen Upshaw

Edgar S. Vaught, Jr.

May P. Walley

Jean & Larkin Warner

Dr. and Mrs. Alton Watson

Nancy S. Weatherly

William D. Welge

Charter Members

Sarah Ellen Hancock Adair

Reberta Lee Adams

Dorothy F. Anderson

Mildred Armor

Mrs. James R. Askins

Manon T. B. Atkins

Robert L. Atkins

Ida Mae Bacon

Mary Jo Barrett

Van R. Bielstein

Debbie Blackburn

Mrs. F. G. Blackwood

William P. Bleakley

Jane T. Bozeman

Deloris Bradford

Marion E. Branson

Ron Capshaw

Helen Carswell

Lorene Adair Childers

Mrs. H. H. Clifford, Jr.

Glenna J. Cornell

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Nix, Jr.

Joe R. Oldham

Virginia Phillips

Blanche Portwood

Mrs. Frank J. Quan

Charles C. Reese

O. V. Richardson, Jr.

Susan Sam

Mrs. Margie H. Schuler

E. Elaine Schuster

Beverly Sue Shelden & David S. Shelden

Michael D. Sheriff

Marilyn Sims

Mrs. Delbert G. Smith

Sandra S. Stratton

Vicki Sturm

Mrs. Charles W. Sutton

Dorothy Thomas

Beulah M. Thomlinson & Frank S. Thomlinson

June Traska

Etalea Unferth

Thomas W. Utterback

Charles C. Waddle, Sr. & Mrs. Waddle

Charles C. Waddle, III

Mrs. David G. Wade

Preserving and sharing the historical heritage of Oklahoma City and County