OPEN AT LAST!
HONORARIUM SET
After two and one-half years, McLoud Historical Society is finally ready to host visitors on a regular basis. No, the building is not finished. But, the front bay area is complete. An honorarium ceremony was held on Friday, July 23, 2010.
IN REVIEW
When your historical society decided that a large building would be needed to become a first class museum, the Oklahoma Centennial Commission was offering a grant program to Oklahoma communities for the State’s 100th anniversary. McLoud Historical Society Board member Jim Walker told the Society about the grant. Judy Sell and Glenda Kuhn followed up on paperwork and visiting the Commission about the building the Society hoped to purchase with centennial funding. The Society needed $80,000. The Centennial Commission ultimately granted $50,000. Meanwhile fundraising activities by volunteers and donations from members garnered enough for the purchase in November 2007.
PROJECT REVIEW
What a mess! The former Ford dealership had been used as a warehouse for nearly 40 years. Before that, it was a skating rink. And, before that it was a garage after the original Ford dealership closed. Portions of the building had been repaired following a tornado in the 1940’s.
A big boost for the estimated $150,000 remodel came when a construction company owner agreed to send his employees with concrete and steel to fill in a deep depression in the front floor. Estimated value of their donation was $10,000. BancFirst and McLoud Telephone followed suit with gifts of $10,000 each. Volunteers worked numerous days and weekends to do as much as possible to save funds. Individuals and businesses gave products, money, and hours to the project.
The Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma has provided much needed professional workers to assist with construction and electrical work. The Tribe let members of the Society go ‘shopping’ in their used furniture warehouse for display cases, tables, chairs and more. When windows were needed, and there were many large windows, the Nation again assisted. Blake Norton of the Potawatomi Cultural Center has been very helpful with information and use of equipment. What a gift the Nation has been! Building contractor and Society Vice President Doug Hinson has used his equipment and products to frame those windows. Doug’s wife, Renee, has agreed to assist with record keeping and computer work for the Society.
A pedestrian door on the front of the building was problematic. It needed to be replaced as a unit, which would mean expensive custom construction. At a cost of about $2500 the door was completed. With men from the building committee installing it themselves, this cost was much less than it could have been.
An office door was special. The office had been finished out in oak trim, thanks to a discount on products from Joe Starkey. The door had to be uniquely framed and trimmed. Jim Metcalf has used his expertise to complete this beautiful door. It is hoped that the glass in the door can be etched as funds allow.
Keene Construction of Texas made a special trip to McLoud to give and install two beautiful overhead doors. As a McLoud High School graduate, Keith Keene made this remarkable effort. It cannot be fathomed having had to purchase those from local fundraiser funding. Without the Keene family, it would have been impossible or would have taken many years before this could have been accomplished.
There was a problem about the outside overhead door. Not the door itself, but driving into it. A culvert was needed. A second culvert was needed to drive up to the back pedestrian door. Dub Ross of Oklahoma City had just what was needed and donated those to the Society. City workers donated their labor and equipment to install these. After a little gravel, and thanks to this team effort, the drives were greatly improved.
With foam insulation in the front bay, temperatures were greatly improved. Insulation and sheetrock on the east wall further contributed to better climate control. But duct work for the air conditioning and heating had to be installed, and the ceiling needed to be painted. Donnie Kuhn, Jim Metcalf and Doug Hinson ran the ductwork with instructions from Allen Smith of Allen Smith Heating and Air Conditioning Service. Allen then completed the process for heat and recently returned to install the air conditioning. Freddie Beeson, who has helped many times with sheetrock finishing for the Society, returned to finish out the east wall. Sylvia Metcalf primed and painted it. Now, it is ready for a big flat-screen television for viewing movies from the past and giving programs to visitors. There is television and player yet. This is something the Society is hoping to receive.
Don Morris and Judy Sell had given the Society a computer and printer early in the project. Without climate control and a printer, it was largely unused for some time. During this time a rat ate through some of the connections and ruined the printer. It was not until Dr. Vicki Cunningham gave the Society two printers that usage of the computer could be efficiently resumed. Technology expert Nathan Palmer stepped up to help get one printer going. It did not last. The printer was incompatible and parts were no longer available on that model, so Nathan installed the second one. McLoud Telephone Company has now donated a newer printer. So, there is a primary and backup. Dr. Cunningham has also agreed to keep up with a web page. With this issue, our website should be updated on a quarterly basis.
SETBACKS
Setbacks have been experienced. Leakage along the east wall was frustrating. Abilez Construction of McLoud installed a French drain that resolved most of that problem. He used his equipment and gave his time freely. The cost to the Society was for materials. Volunteers and community service hours were used to scrape and clean the exterior walls so stucco and paint could be applied. Stucco was applied to the front and west exterior. It was an expensive procedure. Sylvia Metcalf, Glenda Kuhn, Jenny Kuhn, Donnie Kuhn and Emmaline Kuhn applied waterproofing paint to the east wall exterior. It was a two-application process. Donna Hampton from Dale brought food to this group of laborers. This work and product finally stopped nearly all the wall water problems. A worrisome roof leak has been tough to find and difficult to resolve. No, it’s not totally resolved yet. But determined volunteers continue the fight.
Just when it seemed the project was taking way too long, Metal Roofing Contractors of Edmond and Senator Harry Coates gave new sparkle to the building exterior with a donation of penny colored awnings. Interest was revived.
When it seemed the financial challenges were being met and an early summer opening might be possible, a vandal shot through one of the beautiful Pella windows. The cost of replacement was over $1300. Police reports were filed. But, no suspects have been apprehended.
At times, there seemed to be no end to this first phase, the front bay. Following a grand opening in April 2008 to satisfy the Centennial grant, volunteers have had to move displays from the front bay to the back between every opening in order to continue demolition and reconstruction. Then, on special occasions such as Chamber and Alumni events, volunteers would once again set up displays only to remove them out so while work could continue.
FINISHING UP
Recently Brewer Carpet installed the flooring at a discounted price.
In honor of Johnie and Sylvia Chambless, Donnie and Glenda Kuhn, recently donated $5,000 with the stipulation that the amount be used to open a perpetuating account with Communities Service Foundation of Oklahoma where it can be matched and the account will provide some annual funding.
Jim and Sylvia Metcalf, Glenda and Donnie Kuhn, Doug and Renee Hinson, members of the board of directors and officers have given over the top to make this museum and heritage center a reality. The list of those who have helped with fundraisers, encouragement and products since Society inception in March of 2004 is endless, it seems.
Jim, Sylvia and Donnie have single handedly cleaned and restored display cases. Painting, cleaning, repair and new glass for some will make relics easily and artistically displayed.
ALL APPRECIATED
It is impossible to express in words the value of each dollar and each hour of volunteerism. Fundraising has been continuous. The McLoud Masonic Lodge has been very generous by matching funds raised during four Sunday dinners. Firelake Discount Foods, and Country Boy IGA have each given regularly and generously to this annual fund raising effort. Individuals have brought items to sell and to display.
The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma has thoughtfully given for display, as have others.
George Bird allowed the Society to republish a book written by his late wife, Leah. A DVD of McLoud history was compiled and copied for sale by Don Morris and Judy Sell. Many have donated products to sell through the gift shop.
McLoud Chamber of Commerce has assisted with information distribution, use of their sign, and inclusion in Chamber events. Last October Delbert Henderson of D&D Auction held an auction for the Society. Items that did not sell were then taken to D&D Friday night sales where Delbert sold those things and gave the money to the Society.
Area newspapers have provided reporting space. Members have added donations to their annual memberships. Small and large, these have added up to help with this ongoing project.
Most officers and members of the Board of Directors have served in positions since 2004. Six years of giving of their time and energy has helped this project arrive at this completed first phase.
WHAT’S NEXT?
What is next? New restrooms? Perhaps there will be progress on phase two soon. But for a few weeks after July 23, volunteers are taking a short break before school starts. Watch for hours on the website or by e-mailing glendakuhn@yahoo.com. Hours of operation will depend on the number of volunteers. McLoud Historical Society is not funded by tax dollars and is totally dependent on you, its membership, volunteers and donations.
Memberships, fundraising, grant writing will continue. As a non-profit it is imperative that volunteers and donors be maximized. Without those McLoud Historical Society cannot continue the second phase or routine operations.
Building usage policies are now in place. Keep McLoud Historical Society in mind when planning a small gathering. Check at the museum for policies.
Watch for upcoming programs this fall. Some of those planned include scrap booking sessions, quilting days, and special displays. Public school teachers are invited to bring students to visit the museum. If prior arrangements are made, special presentations and story telling may be possible. Phone 964-5169 for information and reservations.
GET INVOLVED
McLoud Historical Society currently has two projects developing in addition to gaining new members and two annual fundraisers. A Tree of Life is in need of additional leaves. For $1,000 donation a leaf is added. Some families have gathered funds to honor a family member who formerly lived in McLoud. Some have honored a loved one in this manner. Still others have give to have their own names added to this growing process.
A commemorative brick program has begun. About 80 bricks have been sold. This is a small number for a large front landscaping project. Three lines of 13 characters each engraved in a brick paver are $35 (3 bricks for $100). This is a great way to honor a graduate, a family, a veteran, or a business or former business. The engraving company said most organizations charge much more for these commemorative bricks. But the Society wanted to make them affordable for everyone. There is a deadline. When the Society receives word on the timetable of an upcoming McLoud City Streetscape project, a definite date for stopping brick sales will be set. Early order is important.
Volunteers are needed to maintain hours of operation and assist with programs. A list of willing helpers is being compiled. A member of the list will be called when a program is being developed and asked to assist on an as needed basis.
Suggestions, ideas and information are always appreciated. So, keep those coming.