The Museum of the Cherokee Strip was established in the early 1960’s through the efforts of the Sons & Daughters of the Cherokee Strip Pioneers Association, which continues to support the museum since its founding. The museum was located on the Phillips University campus until 1975 when it relocated to its present location west of Enid’s historic Government Springs Park.
In 1975, the Museum of the Cherokee Strip was constructed at its present location through a combination of private and public funding. Originally, the museum consisted of 6,500 square feet on two levels. An addition of 5,100 square feet was built in 1993 adding exhibition space and providing accessibility to all visitors.
Humphrey Heritage Village, the Heritage Center’s living history village, was a dream of Bill Humphrey, completed in 1993. The village features four historically significant buildings, including the only remaining 1893 U.S. Land Office, where those making the Run came to register their claims. The Heritage Center, along with Humphrey Heritage Village and Government Springs Park, a historic Chisholm Trail watering hole, creates one of the most comprehensive heritage visitor destinations and educational resources in Northwest Oklahoma.
In 2005 the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Inc. was created through a partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Sons & Daughters of the Cherokee Strip Pioneers Association and the Phillips University Legacy Foundation, for the purpose of transforming a small, state-owned museum in Enid, Oklahoma into a Smithsonian-quality regional heritage center for State of Oklahoma.
Large amounts of regional heritage materials were in danger of being lost or destroyed in part because there was not enough room to properly store and exhibit them. Seeing the need a group of community leaders, led by Lew and Myra Ward, formed a task force and committed to take action leading to an $8 million capital and endowment campaign. The successful campaign lead to the museum being totally renovated, redesigned and doubled in size to a 24,000 sq. ft. facility and transformed into the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center serving all of Northwest Oklahoma.
Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Inc.
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization, was formed in 2005 to drive the capital campaign and oversee the expansion and transformation of the museum into the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. The organization serves as an advisory board to the Oklahoma Historical Society and is responsible for daily operations of the Heritage Center.
Sons & Daughters of the Cherokee Strip Pioneers Association
The Cherokee Strip Historical Society was founded in 1932 and was reorganized as the Sons & Daughters of the Cherokee Strip Pioneers Association in 1957. The organization preserves the history of the 1893 Land Run and the subsequent development of the Cherokee Strip.
Oklahoma Historical Society
The Oklahoma Historical Society, founded in 1893, is a private non-profit, membership organization and state agency dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Oklahoma’s rich history. Museum ownership was transferred to the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1976 to provide financial stability. The museum operations are governed by professional standards adopted by the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society. Oklahoma Historical Society
Phillips University Legacy Foundation
The Phillips University Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2000 by the Phillips University Alumni and Friends Association and through the support of the Phillips University Board of Trustees. Its mission is to preserve the legacy of Phillips University and to provide educational scholarships to the centers of higher learning affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Phillips University Legacy Foundation