Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office

June 20th was a busy day for the SHPO staff. Kristina Wyckoff and Michael Mayes traveled to Freedom to attend the dedication of the Freedom Museum’s new Turkey Springs exhibit and their 50th anniversary celebration. While Lynda Ozan and Bridget Lewis traveled to Clearview for the Juneteenth Celebration and the unveiling of the Civil Rights Trail project. The Civil Rights Trail grant from the Oklahoma Historical Society funded the markers, the trail and the website. https://www.visitclearviewok.com/index.html

Be sure to check out both locations. They are sharing some very important Oklahoma history.

Oklahoma is the heart of Route 66. More drivable miles, more iconic stops, more history than anywhere else on the Mother Road.

This year it turns 100, and Congress has a chance to help preserve it.

H.R. 5470/S. 2887 would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, securing preservation for the small businesses, landmarks, and communities that have defined this stretch of American road for a century.

Oklahoma's heritage deserves a champion in Congress. Tell your Members of Congress to be one.

Visit https://savingplaces.org/stories/route-66-in-oklahoma to learn other ways you can celebrate and advocate in Oklahoma for Route 66 in 2026!

S. 2887/H.R. 5470 is the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act. The Act is a centennial birthday gift to one of America's most iconic roads, and it needs more cosponsors to cross the finish line.

This is about giving Route 66 the permanent federal designation it deserves. It’s about protecting the small towns, family businesses, and roadside landmarks that have defined this highway for 100 years.

Visit https://support.savingplaces.org/page/88257/action/1 for more information!

Celebrate 100 Years of Route 66 By Protecting It Preserve the Mother Road before its 100th birthday in 2026! Designating it a National Historic Trail means jobs, tourism, and saving a piece of Americana. Let your Congressmember know today: Protect Route 66.

The Underrepresented Communities (URC) Grant Program is now accepting applications! The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) P25AS00510 is posted on Grants.gov and applications will be accepted through July 7, 2026.

The purpose of the URC grant program is to expand the listings associated with communities currently underrepresented in the National Register of Historic Places and among National Historic Landmarks.

Visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/underrepresented-community-grants.htm for more details.

Underrepresented Communities Grants - Historic Preservation Fund (U.S. National Park Service) Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

The streamlining tool Congress is looking for already exists.

As new approaches are considered to accelerate infrastructure projects, it's worth asking whether the most effective solution is already being used nationwide. Statewide Programmatic Agreements have spent decades helping transportation agencies deliver projects efficiently while meeting federal historic preservation responsibilities.

Read why strengthening existing tools may be a better path than creating new ones. ⬇️ link in comments

There’s just one week left to sign up for the June 10th Lunch and Learn: “How to Use the ‘Gateway’ to Research Your Historic Property.” Don’t miss this chance to learn directly from Chad Williams, Director of the Research Division. His insights will help you navigate the Gateway with confidence and uncover the history behind your property.

Go to https://www.okhistory.org/shpo/register to register!

Virtual Programming | Oklahoma Historical Society The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society, requests proposals for a survey and disaster planning project for three counties. Funding is from the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund (ESHPF), National Park Service (NPS). The project work must conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. SHPO reserves the right to not award this project. Proposals are due by 5 p.m., June 26, 2026.

Visit https://www.okhistory.org/shpo/rfp for details and additional documentation to apply.

Requests for Proposals | Oklahoma Historical Society The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office

Trait Thompson, executive director and SHPO, in Tulsa waiting to roll out!!!