The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) appreciates the many outstanding programs and projects in Oklahoma communities that are helping protect the State's heritage, and we want to acknowledge these important accomplishments.  Know someone who rehabilitated an important historic building in your community?  Worked with a dedicated group of volunteers to save a historic property?  Enjoyed a walking tour in a historic district?  These and many more projects and activities contribute to the preservation of Oklahoma's archeological and historic properties.  Help the SHPO recognize the many preservation success stories across the state.

The SHPO is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Shirk Memorial Award for Historic Preservation and the SHPO's Citation of Merit.  The deadline for nominations is 5:00pm, Friday, December 7th, and candidates will be notified in February 2008 about the results of the selection process.  The awards will be presented at the banquet during Oklahoma's 20th Annual Statewide Preservation Conference in Ponca City (June 4-6, 2008).

The Shirk Memorial Award for Historic Preservation is presented for historic preservation programs or activities that have had statewide impact.  The SHPO's Citation of Merit is awarded for noteworthy accomplishments in historic preservation at the state or local level.

The SHPO will accept nominations in either electronic or hard copy format.  To request nomination forms and instructions, contact Shea Otley at 405/521-6249 or sjotley@okhistory.org.  Or, obtain the information from the SHPO's website at www.okhistory.org/shpo/shpom.htm (select "Programs" and then "Awards").

If you have questions about the awards criteria, contact Melvena Heisch at 405/522-4484 or mheisch@okhistory.org.