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July 2009
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Members List:

President:
Kenny Sivard
1st Vice President:
Violet Camp
2rd Vice President:
Jan Lancaster
3nd Vice President:
Patsy Stevens
Secretary:
SuZan Cole
Treasurer:
John Epperson
Board Members:
Betty Roberts
Betty Jacob
Peggy Long
Jimm Jacobs
Juanita Pollard
Lewis Stiles
Trilla Frazier
Billy Bowers
Jeff Smith
Emeritus:
Louis Coleman
Publicity:
Bob West
Email Us:
McCurtain County Historical Society

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OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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IDABEL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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7 COUNTIES IN OKLAHOMA TO VISIT

BROKEN BOW LIBRARY

MCCURTAIN COUNTY GETAWAYS

TRAVELING OKLAHOMA

IDABEL, OK PUBLIC LIBRARY

OKLAHOMA TODAY

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MUSEUM OF THE RED RIVER
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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

  • Annual Membership Individual...........$15.00
  • Family.......................................................$25.00
  • Student....................................................$5.00
  • Organization/Business..........................$35.00
  • Lifetime Membership............................$150.00

    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.

  •  
    Society Membership Meetings
    There will be a board meeting of the McCurtain County Historical Society on July 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barnes Stevenson House. All board members are required to attend and all members are invited to attend the meeting if they wish.

    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.



    ANNUAL MEETING
    MCHS Annual Membership Meeting & Election January 21st, 2010 with time & place TBA

    NEWS FLASH !!
    For the first time, it was decided by the Distinguished Service Award committee that there be an Individual Distinguished Service Award and a Business Distinguished Service Award. As a result Juanita Pollard is the recipient for the individual award for her genuine efforts to keep the lawns and interior of the Barnes Stevenson House in tip top shape. Business award goes to Jeff & SuZan Cole - owners of Oklahoma Edge Magazine for their promotion of McCurtain County and surrounding areas.

    All society meetings are open to the public.


    This quarter and 59 more will get you a membership for a year in the McCurtain County Historical Society.

    NOTICE: Dues have increased. (See Above) To pay your membership fees or to join, please send a check to the Barnes Stevenson House at 302 S. E. Adams, Idabel, OK 74745

      MCHS Meetings

    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.

     
    DVD PHOTOS
    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 Kenny Sivard at ksivard@hotmail.com 580 212 3639
    or contact Fred Bray fredb@wildblue.net 580 584 2526.

    **Ideas**Suggestions**
    If you have ideas, suggestions for meetings, changes for the society, or comments please let us know. Contact:
    President Kenny Sivard
    Email: ksivard@hotmail.com
    Phone: 580 212 3639

      Barnes Stevenson House Rental

    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
    Website updated weekly.


     
      MCCURTAIN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
    302 S. E. Adams  •  Idabel, OK 74745

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