Fans work to reopen Guthrie museum doors

GUTHRIE — Closing the State Capitol Publishing Museum because of a state budget shortfall has rallied community members to try to find a way to reopen its doors.

Multimedia

Photoview all photos

Oklahoma Historical Society officials announced last week that they are cutting nearly 30 jobs and requiring the remaining 145 employees at state museums and historical sites to take six furlough days.

The cuts hit the Guthrie museum hard, forcing it to shut its doors.

State officials have carved out $27,000 for operating expenses.

But there is no money for anyone to run the museum, said Nathan Turner, Guthrie Museum Complex director.

"We are devastated that the museum was closing,” said Mary Beth Craven, president of the Friends of the Guthrie Museum Complex.

"The museum has been part of Guthrie since the beginning.”

Craven and other community members are trying to figure out a way that the Logan County Historical Society can help to keep the museum open, even if only part time.

Community support is there. The money isn’t.

"I think everyone in town would like to keep it open,” said Jim Hirzel, a historical society board member. "We just have to find a way to do it. It’s a beautiful building, and there is a lot of history.”

People are hopeful they can come up with a solution quickly. On Nov. 9, Hirzel and the other board members plan to discuss the future of the 50,000-square-foot building that was constructed in 1902 and houses 400,000 artifacts. At the time, it was the largest printing operation west of the Mississippi River, Turner said.

The museum is important to Guthrie and to the history of the state, Turner said.

"The museum is important on a lot of levels,” Turner said. "It is a fixture downtown.”

Anyone who wants to help should call Melissa Fesler at 282-6000.

Leave a Comment

News Photo Galleriesview all

Emergency Equipment

View pictures of equipment purchased by Oklahoma agencies to use during a disaster.

12 photos

Norman Depot celebrates 100 years

The railroad station hosted a concert as part of it's celebration.

12 photos

Cancer Cosmetics: Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

Cancer patients learned make-up and cosmetic tips from Johnson during a session at Integris Baptist Hospital Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2009.

9 photos

Oklahoma City Fatal Fire: Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

Authorities say five people, including an unborn child, died in a fire at an Oklahoma City home earlier this week.

5 photos

Page 1 of 5

Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next