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Museum Information Step through the front door of the Edmond Historical Society Museum and you immediately enter the community's history. The museum is housed in the former Armory of the 179th Infantry, 45th Division of the Oklahoma National Guard. The historic native sandstone building was built in 1936 by the WPA. Within these historic walls you will find the major exhibit area covers Edmond history from prehistoric times to the present. The permanent exhibits are arranged in chronological order from the early days when Edmond was a coal and water stop for the Santa Fe Railroad, through the Run of 1889, the building years in the early 1900's, up through the present. Special exhibits include a re-creation of the Bradbury Corner Station, a one-quarter-scale model of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the first church in the territory, and a special area dedicated to those who served in the 179th Infantry during World War II. The lives of the early pioneers are interpreted through their tools, a pioneer cabin, and many documents and records of those who made the Run of 1889, the birth date of Edmond as a town.
Also within the museum you will find exhibits featuring many of our most illustrious citizens including Olympic Gold Medal winners Shannon Miller, gymnastics, and Wayne Wells, wrestling. A thirty-minute audio tour is available on the permanent exhibits. The common area is the site of many local and national art and history exhibits. These exhibits change throughout the year. Past exhibits have included Anne Frank In the World 1929-1945, international traveling exhibit; Edmond's Place in Space: The NASA Connection; the national tour of The Varian Fry-Assignment: Rescue, 1940-41, from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C., and The Traveling Vietnam Wall Experience. Local artists, craftsmen and musicians are featured throughout the year. The Edmond Historical Society commissioned Dr. Sam Magrill to compose a historical opera, Showdown on Two Street. Historical resources include the museum collection with thousands of artifacts and historic photographs, a non-circulating research library with books and documents related to Edmond and Oklahoma, newspaper on microfilm, and a computerized genealogical research area cosponsored by the Edmond Genealogical Society. Computers with CD-ROM records are available to the serious researcher. The Children's Interactive Center explores Edmond's history through transportation and communication. The hands-on, self-directed exhibits are designed for children 5-12. For special group tours, contact the executive director. The Edmond Historical Society Museum is a private not-for-profit organization. Contributions to help further our projects and exhibits are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Museum Hours Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Admission: Free Donations are accepted and appreciated.  Back
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