Educational Tours: Sunday, May 2, 2010
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Capitol Hill Urban Main Street Tour
Originally proposed as the site of the new state capitol building, Capitol Hill was a community of hard-working, blue-collar settlers. After the capitol was built in the opposite corner of Oklahoma City, this area became a new capital of sorts for the city’s growing Latino population. During this tour, you’ll see a non-conventional streetscape project and a unique department store conversion. There will also be a special stop along the way at the historic farmers market.
Bus and walking; B02: Capitol Hill on the registration form; $25
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Great Small Towns on the Edge of the Great Plains
Visit two classic courthouse square towns in Oklahoma. Newkirk is a 2000 Great American Main Street Award® winner featuring a restored courthouse, successful upper-floor development, and a unique local park. On a guided walking tour, you’ll see the 1920 Kay County Courthouse, which has two beautifully restored courtrooms that will take your breath away; visit several restored upper floors, including an artist studio, a quilters’ retreat, two upper-floor homes, and an attorney’s office; and stop at the “Hole in the Wall” park, which has a new replicated façade that adds architectural interest. Newkirk also has the state’s largest collection of limestone buildings. Then it’s on to Perry which has late-Victorian architecture designed by a Belgian-born architect. Perry is also an award-winning Main Street community and a Great American Main Street Award® finalist. During your visit, you’ll be treated to a welcome reception that will include the town’s famous Kumback Café cinnamon rolls! Newly restored downtown buildings will give you a view into the progress and revitalization taking place in our community. Historic plaques hanging around the square tell the story of Perry one building at a time. The town has one of the few standing Carnegie libraries and is the smallest Oklahoma town with a daily newspaper. Before you leave, visit the historic courthouse where terrorist Timothy McVeigh was arrested and held after the bombing of the Oklahoma City Murrah building. Perry is a small community with a big heart and welcomes Main Street to Oklahoma in 2010!
Bus and walking; B04: Perry/Newkirk on the registration form; $45
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: People, Places, and Progress Oklahoma City Overview
Board the bus and relax while Bob L. Blackburn, Oklahoma’s state historic preservation officer, shares the story of the diverse population, unique settlement experience, and development of the State Capital City into a vibrant modern urban center. Glimpse the city's commercial core; historic neighborhoods, and resources of the recent past, and hear about preservation challenges and successes. Automobile Alley, “church row,” the State Capitol, Urban Main Street Projects, and historic neighborhoods are along the route.
Bus and walking; B05: OKC Overview on the registration form; $25
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.: People, Places, and Progress Oklahoma City Overview
Board the bus and relax while Bob L. Blackburn, Oklahoma’s state historic preservation officer, shares the story of the diverse population, unique settlement experience, and development of the State Capital City into a vibrant modern urban center. Glimpse the city's commercial core; historic neighborhoods, and resources of the recent past, and hear about preservation challenges and successes. Automobile Alley, “church row,” the State Capitol, Urban Main Street Projects, and historic neighborhoods are along the route.
Bus and walking; B07: OKC Overview on the registration form; $25
