State historic preservation office honors preservation efforts

Staff Report


The Oklahoma Historical Society’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) presented its 2013 Citations of Merit during a recent banquet, said Deputy Director Melvena Heisch.


Government agencies, organizations, firms, and individuals who have had positive impacts on the preservation of Oklahoma’s heritage were honored during this featured event of the 25th Annual Statewide Preservation Conference.


Accomplishments in archeological site preservation, research, publication, public programming, leadership, and restoration/rehabilitation work were recognized.


Honors which may be of interest to Midtown readers included:


Oklahoma City:


Beverly Frantz, for preservation of her “storybook ranch house” located in the Rollingwood neighborhood and for raising the awareness of her neighbors about the importance of these 1960s houses.


ImageNet Consulting, for the Vesper Building rehabilitation project in Automobile Alley Historic District.


The Donnell Family, for exemplary service to and rehabilitation projects in the Paseo Historic District.


Moore:


Charles Thompson, for development of If These Walls Could Talk: The History of Moore’s Old School.


Norman:


City of Norman and their consultants, Swearingen Communications of Tulsa, for production of the video Historic Downtown Norman.


Cathy Ambler, for her career devoted to research, publication, and advocacy for preservation of historic places.


Other projects across the state were also recognized for excellence. They can found on the historical group’s web site.


For more information about the SHPO and its programs, visit okhistory.org/shpo/shpom or call 405/521-6249.