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:







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.