Edmond Life and Leisure - January 16, 2025

History museum will mark 40th year Saturday

The Edmond History Museum is hosting a party to celebrate its 40th year in existence on Saturday, Jan 18th, from 3-4:00pm. The event is free, all ages welcome.

On January 18th, 1984, the Edmond Historical Society was chartered to foster an understanding and appreciation of Edmond history and to save “items of historical consequence.” Now, 40 years later, the museum has built upon that foundation by creating many award-winning exhibits and programs, achieving record attendance numbers in 2024, and housing 43,000 artifacts!

Museum’s Early History:

The idea for the museum was born in 1983, as citizens began to anticipate Edmond’s centennial year of 1989. They had a desire to save Edmond’s pioneer history before too many generations passed and the stories disappeared. The Articles of Incorporation was filed and approved on January 18, 1984. By April of 1984, volunteer Quimby Entertline, was coordinating efforts, and the museum officially opened in one room of the Armory in 1985. By 1988, the Thunderbird Room (now the children’s area) was renovated for displays, just in time for Edmond’s 100th Anniversary.

The museum grew and improved through the 1990s, gaining its first computer, adding the genealogy library, and eventually expanding into the entire Armory. In 1991, the Armory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first employee, Brenda Granger, was hired as director in 1994.

“The museum continues to improve every year,” said Curator, Derek Lee, who started at the museum in 2013. “When I started the gallery looked a lot like it did in the 1990s, with many exhibits and artifacts on display for years. Since then the staff has worked hard to make sure exhibits and artifacts change regularly."

“If Quimby was still alive, I think he would be pleased by the museum’s growth and professionalism, and I think he would be proud of our achievements,” said Amy Stephens, museum director. “Every day, I hear comments from visitors

who enjoyed their time in the museum. Without a doubt, they are walking away with an appreciation of Edmond history—which was the goal from the beginning.”

About the Party:

To kick off the birthday party, the Edmond Chamber will host a Ribbon Cutting at 3:15pm, followed by birthday cake and children’s activities. Enter door prize drawings for an Edmond Mural Pillow ($35 value) and prints of Downtown Edmond, created by artist, Greg Burns.

The curator has selected some of the first arti-

facts accessioned into the museum’s collection for public display at the party, including the first photograph, a panorama of 1st & Broadway from around 1915; a small, beaded purse that belonged to the Kunc family and dates to 1870; and a cloth napkin from the Royce Cafe. The first copy of the articles of incorporation from 1984 will also be on display.

Museum Information: Edmond History Museum hours are 10:00-5:00 Monday – Friday, and 1:004:00 Saturday. Please visit the museum website at www.edmondhistory.org or by calling the museum at 405-340-0078 to learn more.