The Three Valley Museum will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at 401 West Main Street in Durant.
The public is invited to the Museum on Main celebration at 5 p.m. June 25.
“Most of you will remember its humble beginnings in the basement of the Oklahoma Presbyterian College,” said museum director Nancy Ferris. “Though its space was small, I believe the men and women who had the huge task of locating and documenting the many donations and contributions of artifacts for the cause of preservation deserve our utmost respect. Without them, their interest in our history and people, and their dedication to dream of one day having a museum in Durant, our past would be lost.”
Ferris said that the museum is forever indebted to those who wrote grants, asked for donations, joined the museum and donated their time to create Three Valley Museum on Main Street.
“We respectfully serve as a keeper of stories and artifacts, and offer a place for visitors to learn more about our city and the area in which we live,” Ferris said. “We have opened our doors and our talents to the community. We are not the seemingly sleepy little storefront on the corner, but in fact, a 12,000 square-foot facility filled with exhibits and items that depict the dreams and successes of those who came before us.” The following are among ways the museum contributes to the community: - Journey Stories throughout the month of January (8 to 10) stories. A learning experience geared at teaching about our local history. This is an annual event.
- A source for genealogy. - Historical Programs for civic groups and conferences (on and off site) and providing a venue for art displays and shows.
- Meeting place for historical organizations such as United Daughters of the Confederacy and Daughters of the American Revolution.
- Coordinating learning experiences with area schools including Southeastern and the Kiamichi Tech Center.
The museum’s fundraisers include the wine event called, “Put a Cork in It” and the baked potato luncheon on Veterans Day. The museum hosted “The Wall that Heals” traveling Vietnam memorial exhibit.
TVM hosted the Centennial Celebration of the Bryan County Courthouse that included removal of the cornerstone, ceremonies involving the Oklahoma Masonic Lodge, picnics, food trucks, music and a late night fireworks show.
Book signings and numerous other events have been hosted by the museum during the past 20 years.
During COVID, the museum closed to the public and there were no fundraising events. Business of the museum continued and its doors reopened as recommended by the CDC and Oklahoma Museum Association.
Ferris said activities of the museum slowly began to resume although volunteerism dwindled.
“Even though we entered this time in a new environment when rewriting history or disregarding history has occurred, the Board of Directors of the Durant Historical Society has held together in an effort to save the artifacts and stories of the founders of our city and surrounding area as a tribute to those who came before us,” Ferris said. “We are proud to have the opportunity to celebrate Three Valley Museum’s 20th year at the Main Street location.”