Moving a piece of history means moving it from the minor leagues to the major leagues. For 28 years, the Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum has been a place filled with sports memorabilia, from pieces of former Yankees benches to jerseys of some of the most famous athletes who have ever called Oklahoma home. This was a good place and a good location for us to start this operation. When we started, we had no idea where we were going. Now the museum is packing up everything and heading to its new location at the Oklahoma History Center. Museum director Richard Hendricks says this was no easy decision. It was decided after a lot of prayer. Someone said, “Is it bittersweet?” and I said, “It's bittersweet, but it's more sweet than bitter.” But Hendricks says the history center is getting more visitors and more funding. Those were the two things the Sports Museum struggled to raise funds for: having a lot of people coming. It wouldn't take much funding to keep the museum here, but no funding has been provided. Plus, he says, they have the technology to preserve and display the hundreds of items for decades to come. This will be preserved until the Lord comes, and He may come soon. If He does, so be it. That's His job, not mine. The museum is still open for the time being. They say it will take more than a year for the move to be completed.
Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum moves to OKC after 28 years in Guthrie
Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum Director Richard Hendricks said the move is a big step forward.
Updated: June 1, 2024 12:19 PM CDT
The Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum, which has operated in downtown Guthrie for 28 years, is merging with the Oklahoma History Center and moving to OKC. Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum Director Richard Hendricks described the move as an important step up. Click here to get the latest interesting news stories. “This is really a transition from minor league to major league,” Hendricks said. The museum is a treasure trove of sports memorabilia, housing pieces of an original Yankees bench and jerseys of famous athletes from Oklahoma. “This was a good place and a good location for us to start this business. When we started, we had no idea where we were going,” Hendricks said. The decision to move the museum to the Oklahoma History Center was not an easy one. “This came about on a lot of prayer,” Hendricks said. “Someone said, 'Is this bittersweet?' I said, 'Yes, it is bittersweet, but it's more sweet than bitter.' “The director cited the Oklahoma History Center's visitor numbers and funding as key factors in the decision. For people to put money into something, you have to have a lot of people coming,” Hendricks said. Despite the desire to keep the museum in Guthrie, the necessary financial support was not forthcoming. “We don't need a lot of financial support to leave this here, but it hasn't been offered,” Hendricks said. >> Download the KOCO 5 App Hendricks also highlighted the Oklahoma History Center's technological capabilities to help preserve and display the museum's hundreds of items for future generations. “We're going to preserve this until the Lord comes. He may come soon. And if he does, that's OK. It's the Lord's job, not mine,” Hendricks said. The museum will remain open in Guthrie for the time being, but the relocation is expected to take more than a year to complete.TOP HEADSShooting victim dies after being taken to Oklahoma City hospitalGov. Kevin Stitt says state could be in tough financial situation as lawmakers override vetoPatti Gasso has message for those who think Sooners and Cowgirls have home-field advantage at WCWSWorker dies after falling into machine at Oklahoma City recycling plant, OKCFD announcesHow to keep pets cool in scorching heat
After 28 years in downtown Guthrie, the Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum is merging with the Oklahoma History Center and relocating to OKC.
Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum Director Richard Hendricks called the move a big step forward.
Click here to get the latest news stories that interest you.
“You're making the transition from the minor leagues to the major leagues,” Hendrix said.
The museum is a treasure trove of sports memorabilia, including an original Yankees bench and jerseys of famous players from Oklahoma.
“This was a good place and a good location for us to start this business. When we started we had no idea where it was going to go,” Hendrix said.
The decision to move the museum to the Oklahoma History Center was not an easy one.
“This is the result of a lot of prayer,” Hendrix says. “Someone said, 'Is this bittersweet?' And I said, 'Yes, it is bittersweet, but it's more sweet than bitter.'”
The director cited increasing visitor numbers and funding at the Oklahoma History Center as key factors in the decision.
“For people to put money into something, you have to have a lot of people come,” Hendrix said.
Despite a desire to keep the museum in Guthrie, the necessary financial support was not forthcoming.
“It doesn't take a lot of financial support to keep it here, and that's not being provided,” Hendrix said.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app
Hendrix also highlighted the Oklahoma History Center's technological capabilities that will help preserve and display the museum's hundreds of holdings for future generations.
“This will be preserved until the Lord comes. He may come soon. If He does, that's fine. This is the Lord's work, not mine,” Hendricks said.
The museum will remain open at the Guthrie for the time being, but the relocation is expected to take more than a year to complete.
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