Okfuskee County Historical Society and Museum

Today is 8 September 2025

Our building, constructed in 1926 as a Masonic Lodge/Temple, has served many purposes over the years. Today, it houses the Okfuskee County History Museum and stands as a central hub for community activities. The facility hosts a wide range of events—including wedding receptions, funeral dinners, birthday parties, family reunions, lectures and panels during the Woody Guthrie Festival, and the annual Pioneer Days alumni gathering—all of which strengthen community ties and generate modest support through donations.

The building also plays a vital civic role as one of the county’s voting precincts and as the site of our annual Aviation Days, which provide free educational opportunities for local children ages 8 to 12. Children’s programs are always offered at no cost, while other community events are supported through voluntary contributions.

To sustain operations, we rely on online fundraising campaigns and annual contributions from a family foundation. These resources help offset the significant $14,000 in yearly utility and maintenance costs. The building is managed and maintained by three senior citizen volunteers, who donate their time and effort without compensation to ensure the museum and event space remain open for public use.

Despite these efforts, the facility generates minimal revenue, and meeting annual expenses is a constant challenge. Most urgently, the roof on our nearly 100-year-old building has failed. This past spring, heavy rains caused extensive leaks throughout the building, jeopardizing the structure as well as the historical and cultural programs it supports. Unfortunately, the cost of a full roof replacement is beyond our financial capacity. Our current cost to put on a new roof is $58,000. We are applying for a $50,000 dollar grant and should know in November if we receive grant. If we do receive the grant, we are still going to be $8,000 short so we will solicit donations in order to make up the difference. If we are fortunate enough to get a new roof then we’ll move on to resurfacing and repairing a few cracks on exterior of building but the roof in number one priority for your building.

With grant support, we can replace the failing roof, preserve this historic landmark, and ensure that the Okfuskee County History Museum continues to serve as a place of learning, civic engagement, and community gathering for generations to come. Donations can be sent to Okfuskee County History Center, P.O. Box 409, Okemah, OK 74859.

Thanks and God Bless to all of You!