Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center

Timeline Overview

Mission: The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will: Collect, preserve and present the rich history of the region known as the Cherokee Strip; Promote educational and humanities programs and events that relate to the history and culture of the region; Celebrate lessons in leadership to inspire future generations.

Vision: The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will be a premier historical and cultural center in the Southern Plains, inspiring leadership for the future through presentation of lessons of the past.

Impact:

Educational and Cultural Center for Oklahoma and the Southern Plains
Visitors increased from 10,000 per year to 40,000 per year
Economic - $1 million per year direct (conservative estimate) - Plus payroll, plus multiplier
Quality of Life asset for Enid and Northwest Oklahoma

2004

Concept Articulated
Transformation of a small, local museum into a regional heritage center
Expanding square footage from 12,000 sq. ft. to 18,000 sq. ft.
Task Force Formed
Organizations partnering in effort: OHS-Dr. Bob Blackburn, CSRHC – Lew & Myra Ward, Sons & Daughter’s of the Cherokee Strip Association and Phillips University Legacy Foundation

2005

Studies – Bobby Weaver, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and Bentz Consulting, Warren, Ohio
Plan Development
Partner groups incorporate to form CSRHC, Inc.
$5 million Fundraising Campaign Begins

2006

Design Building and Exhibits begins
Campaign reaches mid-point

2007

Program Planning
Exhibit Planning – Quatrefoil, Laurel, Maryland
Additional 6,000 sq.ft. added to project doubling the size of the Center to 24,000 sq. ft.
Campaign goal increased to $8 million including $1 million in seed money for an endowment
Groundbreaking
Strategic Planning Retreat – Art Wolf Consultants of Las Vegas, Nevada

2008

Construction Underway

Adoption of Strategic Plan
Fundraising Goal Achieved
Exhibit Design Complete
Exhibit Fabrication
Staffing Requirements Progressing

2009

Exhibit Fabrication Completed
Endowment Development Progressing
Staffing Requirements Completed
Grand Opening – Spring 2009
First Traveling Exhibit at Opening