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Members List:
Links Section
President:
Fred M. Bray
1st Vice President:
Kenny Sivard
2rd Vice President:
Jan Lancaster
3nd Vice President:
Patsy Stevens
Secretary:
Doris Bray
Treasurer:
John Epperson
Board Members:
Betty Roberts
Betty Jacob
Ruth Murray
Jimm Jacobs
Juanita Pollard
Lewis Stiles
Trilla Frazier
Billy Bowers
Jeff Smith
Emeritus:
Louis Coleman
Publicity:
Bob West
Email Us:
McCurtain County Historical Society
McCurtain County Historical Society
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McCurtain County Historical Society
The McCurtain County Historical Society was formed by a group of dedicated persons who had a goal of preserving the history of McCurtain County, OK. MCHS takes great pride in preserving history for future generations and for the things they have done in assisting the county in its day to day living
In October of 1972, the society named its first president, Carlos Daniel Thomas Bagwell who served from October 1972 until December 1973. Mr. Bagwell was honored by the McCurtain County Historical Society in 2007 for being the first president of MCHS and getting it off the ground. A crowd of approximately 75 persons attended the Sunday afternoon tea to honor him.
Shown above is the historical Barnes Stevenson House located at 302 S. E. Adams in Idabel, OK. It was acquired by MCHS in the 1980s. Renovation occurred in 2008 with replacement of both front and back porches, roof repairs and a wheelchair accessible ramp. Funds for the renovation were made available through the investments of the monies from Noble Foundation.
Membership Information
If you wish to become a member of the society, please send your name, address, type of membership required and a check or money order to:
McCurtain County Historical Society
302 S. E. Adams
Idabel, OK. 74745
Along with the lifetime membership a copy of Volume II of the pictorial history will be given at a $25 value. Membership in the society is open to all interested persons. When you join MCHS you are providing support for the study, research, and preservation of McCurtain County’s history. All dues are used for essential member services and for maintenance of the Barnes-Stevenson House. Also dues are used to finance other related historical projects. Life membership dues are invested and only the revenue is used for the same purpose.
Membership benefits include reduces prices to purchase society published books and for use of the Barnes Stevenson House for social activities.
Four General Membership meetings of the Society are held each year, on the third Thursday of January, April, July, and October. The January meeting is held at the Museum of the Red River in Idabel and features the annual election of officers and board members, presentation of the Distinguished Service Award, and a program on McCurtain County or Oklahoma history.
Christmas Open House
The annual Christmas Open House has been set for Saturday, December 6th, 2008 at the Barnes Stevenson House with snacks, carol singing and fellowship to begin at 5:00 p.m.
NOTICE: Distinguished Service Award Committee to meet one hour prior to this event.
ANNUAL MEETING
MCHS Annual Membership Meeting & Election on Thursday, Jan 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.in Idabel at the Museum of the Red River.
All society meetings are open to the public.
This quarter and 39 more will get you a membership for a year in the McCurtain County Historical Society.
NOTICE: If you have not paid your dues - now is the time - fees (excluding the lifetime membership) will increase in 2009. Send a check to the Barnes Stevenson House at 302 S. E. Adams, Idabel, OK 74745
Bob Burke
Bob Burke presented the program for the 3rd Quarter MCHS general membership meeting on Friday Aug 1, 2008 @ 6:00 pm, Beavers Bend Forest Heritage Center.
The subject for the presentation was the Hochatown post office; the replica is located in the middle of the museum at Forest Heritage Center.
There were 36 persons attending Mr. Burke's presentation. Doug Zook was an excellent host and provided the large room to accommodate all who attended. Several media were there including Bob West of the McCurtain Gazette and several others.
Everyone toured the building in the courtyard where the post office is now housed and the original sign is atop the building. The structure/post office was built by Tommy Allen, the artist who is also an excellent carpenter.
As Burke stated, "Hochatown was already established in 1870 when Peter Hudson arrived there but came into existence sometime after 1840 from historical records that were researched."
A question was asked by Sharon McKeever about Mr. Hocha for whom the town was named. Burke states, "His name was Joseph Hocha and when he married his second wife, her surname was Bobb and she was of Native American descent and he took her last name as was the custom of Native Americans in the olden days."
Perhaps Mrs. Hocha-Bobb might be a relative of Bertram Bobb who is presently the chaplain for Choctaw Nation.
Lastly, if anyone knows someone who might like to donate items to the post office, please donate those items by contacting Doug Zook at 580-494-6497 for detailed information.
June 24, 2007
Copies of MCHS photos are now available on digitized DVDs. Most of the photos are in the pictorial history books but some are not. Policy and guidelines for the DVD photos are being written at this time.
To obtain copies of any DVD digitized photo please contact: Bob West at McCurtain Gazette 580 286 3321 bob@mccurtain.com OR President Fred Bray fredb@wildblue.net or call Fred at 580 584 2526.
The first floor and grounds of the house can be rented for social activities such as teas, weddings, receptions, Christmas parties, and special events. Decorations and event setup are allowed; the period furnishings may not be modified or moved. Cleanup after the event is required.
In 2007 all major kitchen appliances were replaced - stove/oven, microwave oven, and refrigerator/icemaker. These appliances are available for use by a group during the rental period. The first floor of the house has central heat/air conditioning for year-around comfort.
Cost to rent the facility is $100 per day. The facility should be reserved several weeks in advance to insure availability. Janis Lancaster is the V-P Publicity and contact person. Contact her to reserve the facility and sign the agreement.
Janis Lancaster
1805 South Central
Idabel, OK 74745
Email:idabel_director@yahoo.com
Home: 580-286-2427
Work: 580-286-9123
Cell: 580-212-1241
©Copyright September 20, 2006 by Sharon McKeever - All Rights Reserved
