Tulsa World: Current and former Tulsa mayors announce library

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Current and former Tulsa mayors announce library

Tulsa's living mayors including Robert LaFortune (left), Terry Young, Dick Crawford, Rodger Randle, Bill LaFortune, and Kathy Taylor gather in the lobby of the BOK Center on Friday to record interviews about their tenures that will be archived at the new Tulsa Mayors Library at City Hall. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 11/20/2009 2:20 PM
Last Modified: 11/20/2009 5:44 PM

Six former Tulsa mayors and Mayor Kathy Taylor gathered Friday at the BOK Center to tape group and individual video interviews that will be part of the new Tulsa Mayors Library.

The library, paid for with a $16,000 donation from the Lobeck-Taylor Foundation, will open in a room on the 15th floor of City Hall next spring. It will be available for viewing by tour groups and by appointment.

“My family and I wanted to give a lasting gift to the city,” Taylor said. “As I looked back over the history of Tulsa, the impact that each mayor has had is important for people to understand.

“I really hope this encourages more people to put their names on the ballot and to make a difference in our community.”

In addition to the interviews, the library will feature detailed biographies of each of Tulsa’s 38 mayors, along with Dewey Bartlett, who is set to become the 39th mayor next month.

It also will have many historical documents, including the first City Charter and the original plans for the highway system.

Taking part in Friday’s taping and luncheon at the downtown arena were former Mayors James Hewgley, Robert LaFortune, Terry Young, Dick Crawford, Rodger Randle and Bill LaFortune.

The only other living mayors, Sen. Jim Inhofe and Oklahoma Secretary of State Susan Savage, were unable to attend but are expected to record their interviews later.

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "City history," which was published on 11/21/2009. So far, 50 comments have been made.