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Members List:
Links Section
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
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.
There will be a board meeting of the McCurtain County Historical Society held on Thursday September 17th, 2009 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Barnes - Stevenson House at 302 S. E. Adams, Idabel, OK.
Tentative Quarterly Meeting scheduled for October 15, 2009.
The Historical Society will also have memberships, as well as their McCurtain County Pictorial History books, for sale at these meetings. Money collected from these sales will go towards preserving Historical Society properties such as the Barnes-Stevenson House and the Harris Mill Cemetery. Please call Kenny Sivard at (580)212-3639 or email ksivard@hotmail.com
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.
NEWS FLASH !!
July 2009
As cooler weather gets here, the Society will be hosting a number of cemetery clean ups at our three cemeteries; Waterhole, Howell, and Harris Mill. These cemeteries have been neglected in the past and for the last few years, I have tried to work to maintain these cemeteries. It has become too much work for me alone to keep up. It is the duty of the Historical Society to keep these cemeteries in good condition and Kayla and I can no longer do this task by ourselves. If we can manage to mow these only four times a year, it will be helpful and Kayla and I can manage the rest ourselves.
With the cooler weather, we will also be doing much needed repairs on the Barnes - Stevenson House. The house has sustained much water damage in the last year during the process of getting a new, much needed roof. The second story porch railings are also in need of replacement.
Nelda Shaw, SuZan Cole, Janis Lancaster, Violet Camp and others have been busy working on the Society's cook book project that is aimed at preserving the County's culinary history as well as raising money for the Society's endowment fund which takes care of Society properties such as the Barnes House and Society Cemeteries and insures that the Society will be able to function in the future without worry of financial down fall. Anyone who would like to share their families favorite recipes may contact any of the ladies mentioned above and fill out a recipe submission form.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to help out the Historical Society may contact any board member for information. Presently, we are in need of persons who are able to help with typing and mailing of letters, compilation of our cook book, mowing, cemetery clean up, and repairs. Any help no matter how great or small is appreciated.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime. My phone number is 580-212-3639. I know that there have been communication problems in the last six months. We have had a big lack in responsibility also on our board member's responsibilities. In order for this great organization to survive and continue the great calling to which it holds, we must have more helping hands. A few of us can not support the entire weight of the Historical Society. Volunteers are desperately needed. Thank you all for your time and God bless.
Kenneth Sivard Jr.
MCHS President
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
CHOCTAW HERITAGE FESTIVAL
November 7th, 2009 - Choctaw Heritage Festival at Wheelock, Millerton, McCurtain County, OK
CHRISTMAS MEETING
December 5, 2009 at Barnes - Stevenson House
ANNUAL MEETING WANTED
MCHS Annual Membership Meeting & Election January 21st, 2010 with time & place TBA
If anyone knows someone who might like to donate items to the Forest Heritage Center's display of the Hochatown 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 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
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.
