Vol. 39, No. 10 Published monthly by the Oklahoma Historical Society, serving since 1893 October 2008 in northern New Mexico; and artist Phillip Unconquered: Haozous, son of Allan and Ann, was born in 1941 in Lawton. Artist Bob Haozous, Allan Houser/Haozous and the Legacy of One son of Allan and Ann, was born in 1943 in Los Angeles; and artist Stephen Houser, Apache Family son of Allan and Ann, was born in 1958 in Utah. Stephen Haozous narrates the audio On October 23, 2008, the Oklahoma Sam and Blossom Houser, Allan’s parents. tour component of the exhibit. History Center will open an important ex- Featured in the large area adjacent to the hibit of art and artifacts that celebrates Nickelodeon Theater is an overview and cultural survival and expression through chronology of the family, the Apache peo- Historic 1958 civil rights five generations of one Apache family, the ple, and an exploration of the creative pro- Houser/Haozous family. The Inasmuch cess represented through the family’s art. sit-in commemorated at Foundation generously funded the project. Across the Great Hall, the exhibit contin- Spanning the 1880s to 2008, the story ues in the ONEOK Gallery. The chronologi- History Center takes visitors on a journey encompassing cal story resumes with themes including On August 19, 1958, Clara Luper led war, incarceration, and attempted cultural “The Apache Circle of Life: From Children thirteen members of the NAACP Youth genocide as well as cultural and family sur- and Adolescents to Young Adults and El- Council to Katz’s Drug Store in downtown vival, personal expression, and the strength ders,” “Spirituality and Ceremony,” and “The Oklahoma City. There they attempted to sit of family legacies. Included are more than 75 Expression of the Apache Way Through Lan- and order at the lunch counter. This sim- pieces of sculpture, art, and artifacts. guage, Music, Dance, and Visual Art.” As ple gesture, a nonviolent act of civil disobe- TheexhibitopenstoOHSmemberswith much as possible, the story is told in art, dience, catapulted Luper and her young a special preview reception on October 23, artifacts, and photographs, as well as text. charges into the national spotlight. Five 2008, with the general public being admit- Upstairs, outside the Noble Gallery, the years and eleven months later, Oklahoma ted on Friday, October 24. The installation family’s story continues, juxtaposed with restaurants were integrated. is scheduled through July 2009. themes of “Sense of Community: From the On the sit-in’s fiftieth anniversary the Part of the Inasmuch Foundation grant Apache Homeland to Oklahoma and Santa participants met at the History Center for a includes the acquisition of a new, perma- Fe,” “Education and the Apache Way of reunion and a ceremony that included nent addition to the collections and to the Learning,” and “The Land: Mother Earth.” Luper, Oklahoma’s Lieutenant Governor grounds of the History Center. Jari Askins, State Senator Connie John- GreatSpiritBuffaloII,by son, and Rev. Charles White, Jr., NAACP Phillip Haozous, installed in Deputy Chief of National Field Operations. July 2008, is now a part of the Noted Askins, “I am here for the state of History Center interpretive ex- Oklahoma to say ‘thank you.’ I am grateful perience. (Photo right, with that as each generation passes, we come artist Phillip Haozous). An- closer to eliminating all obstacles that keep other sculpture, yet to be de- all people from being treated the same.” termined but by Bob Haozous, The Langston University Chorale offered will also be added to the per- stirring renditions of well-known songs manent collections in the near that were important during the civil rights future. movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The exhibit experience be- Following the event, the 500 attendees gins outside the History Cen- viewed a documentary and toured the Katz ter’s entrance, where Allan Drug Store display, which is part of the Af- Houser’s magnificent bronze rican Americans exhibit in the History Cen- sculpture titled Unconquered ter’s museum. stands, facing the rising sun every day. This exhibit also introduces OHS mem- The last indoor presentation will be near bers and visitors to a new dimension of the Kerr-McGee Gallery. The family’s story exhibit guide material. Beginning with the continues amid themes of “Adapting to Houser/Haozous exhibit, the History Cen- War,” “Mobility,” and “The Business of Art.” ter will offer digital audio tour wands. The lives and experiences of several Admissions desk staff will provide visitors members of the Houser/Haozous family with a brochure and a digital audio wand appear throughout the exhibit. These in- that offer a point-to-point narrative tour of clude Sam Haozous, grandson of Mangas the exhibit. The first stop will be the Orien- Coloradas and related to Geronimo. Sam tation Theater, inside the Inasmuch Gal- was born in 1868 near Warm Springs in lery, where every hour viewers may watch a New Mexico. Blossom Haozous was born 30-minute High Definition film document- ca. 1893 at Mount Vernon Barracks in Ala- ing the Houser/Haozous family. bama. Renowned artist Allan Houser, el- Dr. JoAnn Haysbert, president of Inside the Inasmuch Gallery will be the dest son of Sam and Blossom, was born in Langston University, escorted Luper largest assemblage of Houser and Haozous 1914 near Apache, Oklahoma. Ann Houser, through the Katz lunch counter exhibit art, artifacts, and interpretive panels. The wife of Allan and the daughter of a Span- (T. Zinn photo). exhibits’ common thread is the story of ish mother and a Navajo father, was born Jeff Moore, Elizabeth Baxter, and Cynthia Manning. New Members, August I look forward to planning sessions with *Indicates renewed membership at a higher level Bill Welge, Chad Williams, and Larry O’Dell Benefactor as we formulate a 20-year plan to digitize TSF Capital, LLC., Tulsa Director’s 30 million pages of our newspaper collec- OG&E Energy Corp. Foundation, Oklahoma City tion. Their enthusiasm will help us climb ONEOK Foundation, Tulsa Column that mountain. Nina and Patrick Davis, Scottsdale, AZ James and Sherrie Kite, Oklahoma City I am confident that we are on the right Charles A. Vose, Oklahoma City trackwhenIsitinonmonthlymeetings Martha Williams, Oklahoma City with Kathy Dickson and her field directors, Bob Rea, Martha Ray, and Valerie Haynes. Director’s Circle To hear about the challenges they en- Tiajuana M. Cochnauer, New Ellenton, SC By Bob L. Blackburn counter and to observe the way they man- Fellow Executive Director age with limited staff and creative capital, *Pat Hall, Norman makesmewanttoworkextrahard. Associate I like working with Melvena Heisch and Francy Hart, Nichols Hills Mr. and Mrs. John A. Henry, Dallas, TX her efficient staff as we add our energy of An important part of my job as executive Tom Seth Smith, Durant turning the wheels of historic preservation. Ann Drummond Wooley, Ada director of the Oklahoma Historical Society When I am driving through Tulsa, Shaw- Friend is to evaluate the success or failure of our nee, or Muskogee, I see the direct result of efforts to collect, preserve and share Ford and Vanessa Drummond, Bartlesville their efforts. Holly Forbes, Oklahoma City Oklahoma History. Then there is the daily partnership with Barre and Sharon Griffith, Lindsay Ruth Ann Honigsberg, Enid I do that just through observation and my administrative team, Geneva Little, Tim reports, but also through participation and William Kerr, Oklahoma City Zwink, Paul Lambert, Terry Howard, and Don and Ruth Kizziar, Altus daily challenges of planning and executing Michael Dean. It is a pleasure to work with Al and Jere Litchenburg, Oklahoma City McDowell Incentives, Incorporated, Oklahoma City our efforts. cooperative people who are motivated and Oneofmyfavoritedutiesisworkingwith Carol R. Paulson, Allen confident in their own ability to inspect Nancy Ray, Tulsa the staff to bring in collections. I look for- and examine all sides of every issue. James and Robin Riley, Edmond ward to getting with donors such as Jim Yes, an important part of my job is to Family Argo, who has been transferring his photo- evaluate success and failure. I am happy to Adrian Anderson, Spencer graphic collections to us in implements report that the OHS engine is hitting on all Nazir Balouch, Edmond over the past several years. Jeff Briley and cylinders. Tom and Betty Barnett, Norman Chester Cowen make sure those images Joe and Catherine Bierschenk, Oklahoma City Jerry and Carolynne Blankenship, Enid are secure and accessible for all time. Jim and Betty Blasdel, Oklahoma City I enjoy working with staff on exhibits Bill and Marilyn Boettger, Oklahoma City such as the upcoming blockbuster, the Un- Judy Cawthon, Edmond Ronald and Carol Chiles, Spencer conquered: Allan Houser and the Legacy of Elizabeth Cooper, Oklahoma City OneApacheFamily. *Don Dycus, Norman My confidence in the OHS soars when I Bobbie Freeman, Choctaw Barbara Frye, Oklahoma City see the coordinating talents of Dan Provo Bob and Norma Gehringer, Kingfisher and the cultural sensitivity of Tara Damron Carl Gibson, Norman and the creative collaboration of the Tom and Sandy Goldsworthy, Edmond “E-Team” (exhibits team) members such as Vernon and Glenda Hawkins, Tulsa Harry and Mary Johnson, Oklahoma City James Jolly, Oklahoma City Dave and LaJuana King, Oklahoma City Rose Kirchner, Enid Development News Deann Owen Lewis, Crescent Bill and Linda Lowther, Midwest City By Paul F. Lambert Richard and Chris Macha, Oklahoma City Individuals, companies, and foundations Ruth Mary and Ruth Elaine Maples, Amarillo, TX Carol McElroy, Altus contribute to the Oklahoma Historical Soci- Cont’d.onp.7 ety in many ways, each of which helps us collect, preserve, and share Oklahoma his- Oklahoma Historical Society tory. All of these activities will be discussed Membership Office: Alma Moore in this space in the future.