The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) will host the 2021 Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards on April 24, 2021, in Tulsa with limited attendance. The event will be live-streamed on OKCNP's website as well. Leading up to the event, we are celebrating the 21 Oklahoma nonprofit finalists in seven categories. Tulsa Historical Society & Museum (THSM) is a finalist in the Community category.

“Being selected as a finalist by OKCNP brings affirmation to the work that THSM is committed to doing,” said S. Michelle Place, executive director, THSM. “Our staff and volunteers show up every day to tell Tulsa’s stories; all of our community’s stories. While some may say that we are lifting up negative pieces of our history, we think there are lessons to be learned if one looks deep enough. Buried within our history are heroic examples of courage, tenacity, ingenuity, love and care of our neighbors, and the results of having dreamed really big dreams. History can help us meet our future."

Founded in 1963, THSM's mission is to illuminate the past; enrich the present; and inspire the future by collecting, preserving and presenting Tulsa's history. Their service area is primarily northeastern Oklahoma, however, their extensive archives serve a national and international audience.

THSM’s onsite visits total 25,000 annually, however, in 2020, their website visits from January through June reached 4.68 million. In January 2020, they provided a free traveling exhibit, the Spirit of Greenwood/1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The exhibit traveled to five partner libraries in eastern Oklahoma and Oklahoma City. The exhibit was visited 35,000 times.

Onsite visits are free to students of all ages, educators and veterans. THSM also participates in the Museums for All national initiative and pride itself in being the first museum in Tulsa to participate.

Their 30-50 annual community programs offered each year are free and open to the general public. The programs include events such as book signings, panel discussions, musical presentations and historical presentations.

Prior to COVID-19, they hosted free Saturdays on the first Saturday of each month, with attendance ranging from 225 to 250 individuals.

The regular collection includes more than 250 items comprised of photographs, documents, maps, textiles, historical artifacts and fine art in seven rotating galleries.

Their dedication to inclusivity and belief that all stories contribute to our collective history has allowed them to come close to accreditation through the American Alliance of Museums, with 1 of 3 assessment modules left to complete.

In addition to being a finalist for the OKCNP ONE Awards, they have received awards from the Oklahoma Museum Association, the American Society and Local History.

To learn more about Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, visit their website: https://www.tulsahistory.org/.

The ONE Awards is dedicated to honoring the outstanding work of Oklahoma nonprofits statewide. The ONE Awards also serves as the primary fundraising event for OKCNP. Proceeds from the ONE Awards enable OKCNP to serve communities throughout Oklahoma.

To learn more about the OKCNP ONE Awards or to watch the event, visit: https://www.okcnp.org/page/one-awards.