Just finished a blog article on this topic and the transformation of the old Mid-Continent Life Insurance building into the home of the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Association building. Both EK Gaylord & Boone Pickens contributed 3 mil to get it going. Pocket change! :boff:

2 things:

(1) It appears as though the Hefner Mansion will no longer be open to the public after 11/2006, which I'd think to be a significant loss to the community; and

(2) Despite my best efforts, I was not able to find out any "real" history (origins, etc.) of the Oklahoma Heritage Association, including a list of all the "inductees" into Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Anyone help with this?

That said, the facility at 1400 Classen Drive is a magnificent building ... here's 3 pics from the SW part of the building, zooming in on the very fine stonework:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/oha/oha04.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/oha/oha02.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/oha/oha03.jpg

I'd certainly want to update the article with additional verifiable information since, I think, it presently lacks a historic element regarding the Association and the awards.

I office about 2 doors down from there. The place has quite a basement. I always figured that the Pickens/Gaylords needed a dungeon :)

Being so close then, Midtowner, how about scoping it out and giving a lengthy (or short) report?

When I was taking my "outside" pics on Friday, a guy was on the north and east side, and I told him I was just interested in Oklahoma City history and was taking some pics. He told me that I should just walk in at the west entrance like I belonged there and that none would give me any thought and just go where I wanted to!

Go for it, Midtowner, before I do! :tweeted:

Doug, I'll give it a shot.. or a few.

Here's some more pics I took of the building about 4 months ago.

http://photos-030.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094030_7699.jpg

http://photos-031.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094031_446.jpg

http://photos-032.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094032_1971.jpg

http://photos-033.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094033_3184.jpg

http://photos-034.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094034_4395.jpg

http://photos-036.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094036_8772.jpg

http://photos-037.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094037_9597.jpg

http://photos-038.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094038_1068.jpg

http://photos-039.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094039_2126.jpg

http://photos-041.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094041_5452.jpg

http://photos-060.facebook.com/ip006/v20/125/97/79800335/n79800335_30094060_3312.jpg