State ‘history nerd' gets his own moment in time
State ‘history nerd' gets his own moment in time

By Bryan Painter

Published: November 17, 2007

GUTHRIE — Bob Blackburn glanced down at the floor tile of the Carnegie Library.

Minutes later, he would serve as narrator of the statehood day inauguration ceremony re-enactment in Guthrie.

But at this moment he was soaking up history in a way not even he had done before.

He'd been in this building a "hundred times before” but on the 100th birthday of Oklahoma, the feeling was unmatched.

"Charles Haskell and those fathers of the constitutional convention were in this same room where we are today,” said the executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. "It's all around me, I feel it.

"They celebrated 100 years ago today. But they were celebrating the beginning of something. Today, I think we're celebrating the fulfillment of that promise.”

Friday's celebration obviously meant much to many, but observing Blackburn was special.

After all, Oklahoma history has been his focus during thousands of speeches, 18 books and many TV appearances, including several on The History Channel.

During rehearsals Friday morning inside the library, Blackburn went over his opening lines and then stepped back. Ironically, his left elbow was brushing against an exhibit highlighting the very event he was preparing to commemorate.

The exhibit read: "Charles Haskell stood on the front steps of the Carnegie Library on Nov. 16, 1907 and took the oath of office as the first governor of the state of Oklahoma. Following the governor was the symbolic wedding of Oklahoma and Indian Territories. Anna Bennett, a Cherokee from Muskogee, represented Indian Territory and Charles C. Jones, of Oklahoma City, represented Oklahoma Territory. Reverend W.H. Dodson, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Guthrie, performed the ceremony. Newspapers reported that approximately 30,000 people were at the event.”

Although Blackburn was born Sept. 10, 1951, it seemed as though Oklahoma's birthday was his birthday.

Oklahoma history has been his life for almost 35 years.

"That's when I started dedicating everything to Oklahoma history — my professional life, my reading at home, my books, my weekends. They have all been about Oklahoma history,” he said. "And so I've been putting together the little bits and pieces. It's like doing a painting. You're doing all these little brush strokes around the canvas, and all of a sudden it starts making sense.”

About 10 a.m. he took his place, microphone in hand, on the library steps.

After a welcome and introductions he stepped into his responsibility as a narrator.

"Now I invite you to travel back in time, 100 years, to Nov. 16, 1907. The day had dawned bright and sunny,” he told the crowd.

In Oklahoma, where weather isn't predictable, the day had again dawned bright and sunny.

It almost seemed that those steps were a bridge between 1907 and 2007.

"When I give a speech, I'm the center of attention,” he said, "but today I felt like more of an observer, more like I was watching history. It was like I was at a distance, watching this on stage.”

And one thing he noticed was the participation not only of the re-enactors but of the crowd.

"The audience was very responsive today,” he said. "I did not have to cue them or lead the applause.

"They understood what we were trying to do with this.”

As Blackburn said, that day not only marked change, but began change.

And while the re-enactors were a throwback to 1907, Blackburn was asked to dress in present attire.

"They wanted me to be a modern-day person and set the stage for the re-enactors,” he said.

"Do you know why that's appropriate?” I asked.

"No,” he said.

"Because as the narrator you're the only person that didn't have a role here 100 years ago,” I said. "So in 100 years, maybe someone will play the part of you.”

"Yes, a history nerd,” he said.

Your thoughts!