Well, Donna, you have sure generated a lot of
new-found interest and motiviation for people to communicate!
I wanted to also update you and all on the
National Register Nomination for Chilocco.
Through the extreme generosity of the Oklahoma
State Historic Preservation Office, the National Register
nomination is complete. Jim Gabbert, staff Architectual Historian
for the office and nomination-writter extrodinaire wrote the
nomination.
The nomination has been submitted for review to
the Oklahoma National Register of Historic Places review
committee, chaired by Arn Henderson of OU. Mr. Henderson was one
of our volunteers who went up last year to document the buildings,
at which time he became a strong booster of the preservation of
the school buildings.
At the last meeting of that review committee,
the nomination was approved for submission to the National Review
Committee, overwhelmingly and enthusasticly approved I might add.
By the way, our strong supporter, Heather Siefert of Preservation
Oklahoma was there to voice their strong support for the listing.
The next step is for review by the National
Committee, and their approval. I believe the timeframe for that is
October.
Importantly, the nomination was written to show
the NATIONAL significance of the school buildings - as opposed to
local or state significance. This means that the site is
considered to be very important historically not just to us here
in the area or in Oklahoma, but it is important in the history of
the entire county. This also means that it could be considered for
listing as a National Historic Landmark. There are less than 20
National Historic Landmarks in Oklahoma, while there are more than
1000 properties that are listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.... so that makes it extrememly important! If
approved for that list it will join such sites as the White House,
Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building as one of the
most important historic sites in America.
However, I know that I am not telling you or any other alumni
anything they did not already know!
Donna, I think it would be fantastic if we could have a great
celebration at the school when the listing is announced. I am sure
that Preservation Oklahoma would be interested in participation in
something there as well. It has been through the work of
Preservation Oklahoma and particularly their Exec. Director
Heather Seifert that anything has happened along these lines and
all that.
Also, Donna, as you so well recognize, our work
at the school is far from complete. While the listing of the site
as either a National Register lised site or as a National Historic
Landmark is great, it is only recognition of how important this
historic site is. It does not force nor insure it's preservation
(although it could make grants easier to obtain... and I have a
whole list of things I would like to do next that draw on it's
designation as one of America's Historic Places). As you know, the
next step is up to the Chilocco Confederated Council Tribes. It is
critical that a fesiable plan for the reuse of the facility be
developed, that leadership (both within and from the outside) be
put in place to persue the funds and other needs for that reuse,
and that the goal be persued relentlessly, unselfishly, and with
great energy. The tribes are quite able to do this; they all have
comptentant, dedicated, and inovative leadership and I am
convienced that they can work together to achieve great results. I
also would volunteer unlimited personal time and resources to help
this mission.
The very first step in any such plan is a plan
to stabilize the buildings - to prevent futher damage by the
elements or by vandals and all that.
While many of the buildings are 'condemned',
there is nothing in that designation that says that they cannot be
preserved, restored, and resued. It is only a statement that in
their current condition they are not safe to use, not that they
are not capable of being restored and reused. I have been assured
by a crediable person that all these buildings can be restored and
preseved, regardless of their current condition. However, the cost
to do that will esculate the longer they are not stabilized.
At all costs we must fight against any attempt
to demolish anymore of these significent buildings! At a minimum,
we need a plan to stabalize these buildings even if we cannot find
a way to restore them, and prevent further damage and vandalism. I
can assist in preparing a stabilization plan, if asked, and can
find others to help as well.
I dream of seeing this site restored for use
again. It has always been my dream to see this institution
remembered not only by its students and not only for the good
things that came from attending it, but remembered in our
collective American Memory for not only what it was designed to
accomplish (not really good in all aspects) and for what it really
did accomplish (the good and the bad). A museum of sorts for the
Alumni should be a centerpiece of the site. However, the options
for the remainder of the buildings are as numerous as there are
alumni and tribe members. It would be great if there could be a
summit of sorts, bringing together the tribal councils, the
alumni, and any other interested parties to develop a plan for the
campus.
In the beginning of Chilocco, the intent was the complete
destruction of tribal culture and identy; the removal of all
aspects of Native American culture from the innocent children.
There is a golden opportunity here for the tribes to use this
facility, designed for such a horrendous purpose, as a place that
rebuilds that culture, that preserves that culture, and that
honors that culture. Some possible uses (and the site can support
all of these at the same time) would be:
Native American Children Summer camp (with
sports, horseback riding, classses in Native languages and arts,
etc)
Alumni museum (Old Student union)
Native American industrial site (say in the
old industrial arts buildings)
Residential development (around the school
at a distance... I bet a lot of alumni would love to live there!)
Native American Cultural museum
and on, and on, and on.
Thank you for this opportunity to share what is
going on with the National Register Nomination and also for me to
get on my soap box a little. I look foward to serving the Alumni
and the CCCT to whatever degree they want my assistance!
Bret Carter, board member, Preservation Oklahoma
----- Original Message ----
From: DONNA
<rlfflood@cableone.net>
To: undisclosed-recipients
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 2:02:44 PM
Subject: Re: class member, chilocco '61
This is from Fannae
Donna
-------- Original Message --------
|
Date: |
Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:17:10 -0500 |
|
From: |
Shields, Fannae H |
| To:
|
|
Ed ( Eugene ) Wilson , Class of 61’
HC 15, Box 40
Smithville,
OK 74957
Oh, I asked Judy how Ed was doing and
she said holding his own. His hearing and eyes are getting bad,
which is why he doesn’t get on line any more with us. She
suggested we send him cards, as he checks the mail daily and she
felt he would enjoy receiving them. So, send him one when you
have time, I’m sure a post card would be appreciated just a
well.
For those of you who may not know or
remember him and want to drop a line feel free to use my, Bev’s
or Thomas’ name!
