Darla Shelden, Metropolis Sentinel Reporter —
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historic Society (OHS) has introduced its partnership with John Erling and his oral historical past undertaking, Voices of Oklahoma.
Voices of Oklahoma is among the premier oral historical past tasks within the nation. This affiliation will guarantee John’s vital work to boost Oklahoma’s historic report “continues in perpetuity,” the press launch said.
Erling will proceed to interview completed Oklahomans and share these tales on voicesofoklahoma.com and the “Voices of Oklahoma” podcast.
The OHS will create a touchdown web page on its web site, okhistory.org for researchers to readily entry the recorded interviews. All interviews beforehand performed by Erling will probably be housed within the OHS archives. OHS will proceed Erling’s work when he decides to retire.
For greater than 12 years, Erling has been capturing the tales of famend Oklahomans and different fascinating residents in their very own phrases by way of Voices of Oklahoma.
The debut interview was with Wilma Mankiller, the primary feminine chief of the Cherokee Nation.
A Tulsan since 1976 with a background in journalism and radio, Erling guides the interviews in an expert and heartfelt method, creating an fascinating and interesting ultimate product.
Different notable interviewees embrace Roy Clark, Pleasure Harjo, Kelly Haney, Jane Jayroe, David Boren, Bart Conner, Johnny Bench, Fred Harris, Marquis Haynes, Bob Barry Sr., Charles Banks Wilson, David Corridor, Marilyn Luper and T. Boone Pickens.
“I’m very enthusiastic about this new partnership,” stated OHS Govt Director Trait Thompson. “I listened to John on KRMG daily after I lived in Tulsa, and I’m very acquainted with his ability as an interviewer.
“Bringing John’s unimaginable physique of labor to the OHS will be sure that generations of future researchers will be capable to hear from Oklahomans who’ve made historical past, in their very own phrases,” Thompson continued.
“John’s dedication to Oklahoma and exploring its historical past is an ideal match with the Oklahoma Historic Society and I’m delighted to start this relationship with him.”
Erling said, “Twelve years in the past, I by no means dreamed this announcement could be made. It makes me extremely comfortable. The Oklahoma Historical past Society is effectively revered in our state and our partnership ensures our oral historical past web site will probably be preserved for researchers and the general public ceaselessly.
“I’m grateful to OHS Govt Director Trait Thompson for creating the partnership, Erling added. “The tales of people that have made Oklahoma nice will probably be preserved in our ‘ceaselessly’ residence!”
The mission of the Oklahoma Historic Society is to gather, protect and share the historical past and tradition of the state of Oklahoma and its individuals.
Based in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Affiliation, OHS maintains museums, historic websites and associates throughout the state. By its analysis archives, reveals, instructional applications and publications the OHS chronicles the wealthy historical past of Oklahoma.
For extra details about the OHS, go to okhistory.org.
