OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is moving ahead with plans to complete an architectural survey of Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns. The SHPO is seeking a qualified consultant or firm to conduct an architectural survey of Oklahoma’s All-Black towns in addition to preparing two National Register of Historic Places nomination forms for two eligible properties from within the survey areas. The Request for Proposals opened on May 1. All proposals are due by June 30, 2023.

In December 2022, the SHPO was announced as one of 21 recipients of a grant funded by the Underrepresented Community Grant program through the Historic Preservation Fund and administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The SHPO received $75,000 to fund the completion of an architectural survey of Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns. Part one of the survey was completed this year with a 2021 Underrepresented Community Grant.

Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns represent a unique chapter in American history, and the State Historic Preservation Office is working to provide a complete survey of all the towns. It would include a list of buildings that warrant additional research to determine the eligibility of being nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information, contact Lynda Ozan, deputy state historic preservation officer, at 405-522-4484 or lynda.ozan@history.ok.gov.

The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.