Current Projects
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMSnDjcr_8g&feature=player_embedded
The showing of the I.M. Pei model (what OKC would look like if his plan were to be fully implemented) was an amazing success. The model ended its tour of display at Oklahoma City Hall where it was displayed in the central lobby for well over a month. The model was carefully returned to custom constructed container and then returned to our archive for safekeeping. If you missed seeing the model, check back from time-to-time and we will keep you posted on when it will be on display again. At this time on behalf of the OCCHS board of directors, I would like to thank everyone that helped on this project—it truly was a monumental undertaking.
As has been mentioned in this section previously, we have the columns from the first Oklahoma City State Capital, the Huckins Hotel. Recently a brochure surfaced from the Huckins from what we estimate to be the 1960s. If you would like to read more about this amazing piece of OKC history, please scroll down to an earlier post where we discuss in length the important roll that this hotel played in early statehood. We have posted the brochure here so that those not familiar with the Huckins might have a little insight into downtown Oklahoma City about 50 years ago.
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Renowned international architect I.M. Pei was contracted in 1964 by the Urban Action Foundation, a non-profit formed to help launch an urban renewal program for downtown Oklahoma City. His work included a creating a 10- by 12-foot model showing how downtown might look in 1989 after the program’s completion. The model was part of an ambitious public relations effort aimed at gaining support for tearing down hundreds of old buildings, some historic, to make way for Pei’s vision of a new mix of offices, retail and housing. The model involved intricate detailing to buildings and streets, and cost $60,000 to build. Pei unveiled the model on December 10, 1964 in the Persian Room at Skirvin Tower, where an estimated 600 people “oohed” and “aahed” as the architect discussed his vision of how Oklahoma City would look in 1989 after completion of his plan.
Regardless of public sentiment toward the eventual outcome of the Pei Plan, the model marks a historic moment for downtown Oklahoma City and is considered a forerunner of later day efforts including the city’s Metropolitan Area Projects, the post 1995 bombing recovery plan for north downtown, Core to Shore and MAPS 3.
After the demise of the Pei Plan in the 1980s, the model was donated in 1986 to the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society, which put it on display in the Unassigned Lands Museum at 20 W Main. The model was shipped to Washington, D.C. in 1995 and briefly displayed at the Smithsonian as part of its presentation on downtown Oklahoma City and the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing. The model was crated after its 1996 display and shipped back to Oklahoma City, where it remained in underground storage until 2010. The Oklahoma City/County Historical Society has preserved the model and kept it safe for more than 25 years.
Rachel Mosman, a board member of the society and an archivist with the Oklahoma Historical Society launched the effort to bring the model back on display after working with more than 40,000 of 750,000 photos of pre-Urban Renewal era photos of downtown Oklahoma City.
Mosman was joined in this effort by Bill Welge, director of research at the Oklahoma County Historical Society and a host of others.
The scheduled date for unveiling was May 3rd, 2010 and began at 5:30 p.m. in the northeast lobby of the Cox Convention Center. Speakers included Mayor Mick Cornett and state historian Dr. Bob Blackburn. In addition to the model, the display included new information panels about the history of downtown and the urban renewal era, and original paintings that were produced almost 40 years ago in conjunction with the introduction of the Pei Plan. 
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As part of our archive of historical artifacts we have the original columns that stood in front of the first Oklahoma City State Capital, the Huckins Hotel. The Huckins was torn down during the early days of downtown “urban renewal” and now the Devon Energy building stands on the original site.
We are currently working with the city and several agencies to acquire a very small piece of land where we might erect a permanent monument to the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma City becoming the capitol of the state of Oklahoma. The following is an artist rendition (created by Richard Cox, OCCHS board member) of what that memorial might look like when completed.
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Recently we acquired the original United States Flag that flew atop the United States Post Office at the time of statehood. The flag has 45 stars and deserves a permanent home. It is very rare indeed to find a 100-year-old flag, of this size, in such good condition. We are currently in discussion as to where would be the best place to display this wonderful piece of history where it would get the most exposure.
