Oklahoma Historical Society

PROJECT PURPOSE

ACM-2101 - New Exhibits - The exhibits in the Atoka Museum and Confederate Cemetery have not received any significant updates since the 1980s. The current exhibit spaces are little more than open storage where visitors passively view collection objects without being drawn into the area's rich history. Modern museum audiences expect to be drawn into exhibits that tell compelling stories in ways that allow the visitor to engage with the exhibits. For the museum to become a vital link in promoting tourism in the area and serve as an important partner in educational programming, we must completely modernize the exhibits throughout the facility. Twentieth-century exhibits are not suited for a 21st-century audience.

EVIDENCE

Our projects utilize local or regional contractors to perform the work and draw local, state and national visitation to the area thus boosting the local economy from construction activities and tourism for the area and state. Past projects have increased visitation / tourism. In 2011, the renovation project visitation was increase from 1,200 to over 10,000 people per year.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The communities and local businesses around this site were impacted by the state shutdown and the decline of tourism as a result of the COVID pandemic. The local communities, municipalities and businesses lost revenue from sales, lodging, taxes and other tourism related benefits. This project benefits everyone by employing local businesses to create or improve local attractions and facilities to improve local tourism and community programing. Atoka County is a rural county in the southeast part of the state with a population just over 14,000. Atoka, the largest city in the county, has a population of 2,973. Median household income is $39,316, and 37% of the population falls below the federal poverty level. 4% of the population identifies as Black/African American; 16% of the population identifies as American Indian. Median Household Income $39,316 37% of population falls below the poverty level.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by visitation statistics with our current monthly statistical tracking system and tracking earned income at the site.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma