McLoud Historical Society was organized in May, 2004 by Glenda Kuhn as President and the current Board of Directors composed of Jim Walker, Jon Barrett and Dean Hill with a vacancy for the fourth director position. Their main goal is to have a museum and heritage center to preserve and educate the history of McLoud, Oklahoma and families of the surrounding area in Pottawatomie County. McLoud is located at the intersection of two State Highways, (270 and 102) between major complexes of two Native American tribes (Potawatomi and Kickapoo). The heritage center is destined to become one of the leading historical institutions in the State of Oklahoma. The Society set up the following goals for the organization.
·Form a membership drive.
·Hold events and raise money.
·To obtain a building for a museum
To recruit members the Society formed a plan to meet with the different civic groups in McLoud with a Power Point Presentation to educate them of the grasp history and heritage of the McLoud area. This presentation was comprised of pictures dating back to the founding of McLoud, June 21, 1895. McLoud was named after a Choctaw, Oklahoma, and Gulf Railroad Solicitor, John W. McLoud. To date the presentation has been presented to 25 different civic groups, including several school children organizations. With 310 current members the McLoud Historical Society is constantly growing. They now have this presentation available in a DVD, for $16.95, plus $1.00 if mailing is required.
The McLoud Historical Society holds two major events each year to raise money.
·A dinner each spring held at the Masonic Lodge.
·A Historical Celebration the third Saturday in September held on main street, Old Towne McLoud.
Other fund raisers are held throughout the year, too in order to accomplish their goal of having the greatest museum in central Oklahoma. In addition to these fund raisers the Society has applied for several grants from major companies and foundations.
On November 15, 2007, with the help of a grant from the Oklahoma Centennial Commemorative Commission supported by the Oklahoma Legislature, and many individuals and corporate donors, McLoud Historical Society purchased a 5,350 sq. ft. Ford dealership. This building is located in the downtown sector of McLoud and was better known as the Ford Motor Company from 1933 to 1959. The building was destroyed by a tornado in 1942 and was rebuilt with reclaimed materials from the old building and new materials to build the present building. After 1959 the building had quite a history as a garage, skating rink, dairy bar, and in later years as a warehouse for military air craft parts. McLoud Historical Society volunteers started renovation in January of 2008 and held an open house ceremony April 25, 2008. Public access is currently limited due to the ongoing renovation and dusty conditions. Total renovation costs are estimated between $250,000 and $300,000.
In addition to the Oklahoma Centennial Commission $50,000 grant there have been five $10,000 or above donors, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Banc First, McLoud Telephone Company, Rudy Construction, and Metal Roof Contractors, Inc.. Companies with smaller donations are, Sonic Drive-In, Canadian Valley, Wal-Mart, Exxon Mobile, and B.C. Clark Jewelry. Numerous members have donate $1,000 or more and are listed on the “Tree of Life”, inside the building. There has been many, many $100 and less individual donors. Many individuals have contributed labor. Other businesses have given supplies. Truly, this is a unified group effort.
A few of the items that will be seen in the museum include the following: A late 1800’s grist mill once located in the Bird’s Feed Store, a butter churn from the Medonca Dairy, the corner stone from the McLoud School building, built in 1921, the original oil painting of this school building by Margaret Bird, a oil painting of the McLoud water tower by Gary Kuhn, a desk once used at the McLoud Monitor newspaper, and miscellaneous items and pictures.
If you or anyone you know has items they would like to donate or loan the Historical Society for display please let them know. The Society welcomes all volunteers and articles/pictures to expand the history of McLoud. McLoud Historical Society is a non-profit organization with 501 c3 approval.
With the help of more volunteers the Society hopes to be able to open the Museum with regular hours as soon as next year. Keep watching our progress and join today. The membership form is on this on this website.
Platinum Membership:
$10,000.00 or more
Lifetime membership
Name of an honoree or business will be placed on an individualized permanent plaque in the facility
Family or business will be recognized at a dedication ceremony
Gold Membership:
$5,000.00 or more
Lifetime membership
Name of an honoree or business will be placed on an individualized permanent plaque in the facility
Silver Membership:
$1,000.00
Family or business name placed on a plaque bearing the $1,000.00 donors
This plaque will also have a place of honor in the McLoud Historical Society
Annual Memberships:
Sustaining: $100.00
Patron: $50.00
Family or Organization: $25.00
Individual: $10.00
Student: $5.00
Officers and Directors.
President: Glenda Kuhn; Vice. President: Doug Hinson; Secretary: Kathy Harris; Treasurer: Jim Metcalf; Directors: Jim Walker, Jon Barrett and Dean Hill, the fourth director position is currently vacant.
To become a donor or member you may complete this membership form and either print it out and mail to us or email to us at the email address below. For additional questions or information, please contact us at: McLoud Historical Society, P. O. Box 1292, McLoud, OK 74851 or our physical address is 421 W. Broadway, McLoud, Oklahoma or Email us: webmaster@mcloudhistoricalsociety.org
·Form a membership drive.
·Hold events and raise money.
·To obtain a building for a museum
To recruit members the Society formed a plan to meet with the different civic groups in McLoud with a Power Point Presentation to educate them of the grasp history and heritage of the McLoud area. This presentation was comprised of pictures dating back to the founding of McLoud, June 21, 1895. McLoud was named after a Choctaw, Oklahoma, and Gulf Railroad Solicitor, John W. McLoud. To date the presentation has been presented to 25 different civic groups, including several school children organizations. With 310 current members the McLoud Historical Society is constantly growing. They now have this presentation available in a DVD, for $16.95, plus $1.00 if mailing is required.
The McLoud Historical Society holds two major events each year to raise money.
·A dinner each spring held at the Masonic Lodge.
·A Historical Celebration the third Saturday in September held on main street, Old Towne McLoud.
Other fund raisers are held throughout the year, too in order to accomplish their goal of having the greatest museum in central Oklahoma. In addition to these fund raisers the Society has applied for several grants from major companies and foundations.
On November 15, 2007, with the help of a grant from the Oklahoma Centennial Commemorative Commission supported by the Oklahoma Legislature, and many individuals and corporate donors, McLoud Historical Society purchased a 5,350 sq. ft. Ford dealership. This building is located in the downtown sector of McLoud and was better known as the Ford Motor Company from 1933 to 1959. The building was destroyed by a tornado in 1942 and was rebuilt with reclaimed materials from the old building and new materials to build the present building. After 1959 the building had quite a history as a garage, skating rink, dairy bar, and in later years as a warehouse for military air craft parts. McLoud Historical Society volunteers started renovation in January of 2008 and held an open house ceremony April 25, 2008. Public access is currently limited due to the ongoing renovation and dusty conditions. Total renovation costs are estimated between $250,000 and $300,000.
In addition to the Oklahoma Centennial Commission $50,000 grant there have been five $10,000 or above donors, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Banc First, McLoud Telephone Company, Rudy Construction, and Metal Roof Contractors, Inc.. Companies with smaller donations are, Sonic Drive-In, Canadian Valley, Wal-Mart, Exxon Mobile, and B.C. Clark Jewelry. Numerous members have donate $1,000 or more and are listed on the “Tree of Life”, inside the building. There has been many, many $100 and less individual donors. Many individuals have contributed labor. Other businesses have given supplies. Truly, this is a unified group effort.
A few of the items that will be seen in the museum include the following: A late 1800’s grist mill once located in the Bird’s Feed Store, a butter churn from the Medonca Dairy, the corner stone from the McLoud School building, built in 1921, the original oil painting of this school building by Margaret Bird, a oil painting of the McLoud water tower by Gary Kuhn, a desk once used at the McLoud Monitor newspaper, and miscellaneous items and pictures.
If you or anyone you know has items they would like to donate or loan the Historical Society for display please let them know. The Society welcomes all volunteers and articles/pictures to expand the history of McLoud. McLoud Historical Society is a non-profit organization with 501 c3 approval.
With the help of more volunteers the Society hopes to be able to open the Museum with regular hours as soon as next year. Keep watching our progress and join today. The membership form is on this on this website.
Platinum Membership:
$10,000.00 or more
Lifetime membership
Name of an honoree or business will be placed on an individualized permanent plaque in the facility
Family or business will be recognized at a dedication ceremony
Gold Membership:
$5,000.00 or more
Lifetime membership
Name of an honoree or business will be placed on an individualized permanent plaque in the facility
Silver Membership:
$1,000.00
Family or business name placed on a plaque bearing the $1,000.00 donors
This plaque will also have a place of honor in the McLoud Historical Society
Annual Memberships:
Sustaining: $100.00
Patron: $50.00
Family or Organization: $25.00
Individual: $10.00
Student: $5.00
Officers and Directors.
President: Glenda Kuhn; Vice. President: Doug Hinson; Secretary: Kathy Harris; Treasurer: Jim Metcalf; Directors: Jim Walker, Jon Barrett and Dean Hill, the fourth director position is currently vacant.
To become a donor or member you may complete this membership form and either print it out and mail to us or email to us at the email address below. For additional questions or information, please contact us at: McLoud Historical Society, P. O. Box 1292, McLoud, OK 74851 or our physical address is 421 W. Broadway, McLoud, Oklahoma or Email us: webmaster@mcloudhistoricalsociety.org