Museums in area oppose governor's budget-cutting plan

CLAREMORE — Officials from two area museums said Tuesday that they oppose a state budget-cutting measure that would consolidate them under the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Under Gov. Brad Henry's plan, which targets a budget shortfall of more than $1 billion, 16 state agencies could be merged into larger agencies.

Among those affected would be the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore and its sister museum, Dog Iron Ranch in Oologah, as well as the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore.

"The Historical Society is a fine organization, but the focus of the two institutions are different," Steve Gragert, executive director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, said.

"Ours is focused on an individual who is an international and national icon and very much a part of Oklahoma. It's a different mission, and it doesn't dovetail very well in that regard."

People from 45 states and 11 countries visited the Will Rogers museums last year, and Gragert noted that the 2009 attendance — 126,000 — was the highest in eight years.

He added that he's seen figures that estimate the economic impact of $5.50 per person daily.

"You begin to multiply it, and it's pretty significant," he said.

State funding for the Will Rogers museums has plummeted from roughly $933,000 for fiscal year 2009 to about $853,000, spokeswoman Pat Reeder said.

To make up for shortfalls, the institution has considered charging admission and discussed ways to reduce utility bills, Gragert said.

Jim Hartz, chairman of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission, said: "We ask the governor and Legislature to consider carefully the singular, national impact the Will Rogers Memorial has made since it was created by the state of Oklahoma 71 years ago on land that was a gift from Will Rogers' widow and paid for by the people of Oklahoma to honor their most famous hero. Any tampering with this institution puts in jeopardy not only millions of dollars in tourist spending but the education of the youth of our state."

John Monroe Davis transferred ownership of his gun and artifacts collection to the J.M. Davis Foundation in 1965, two years before the foundation entered into a 99-year lease with the state to preserve the artifacts.

The state-run J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum opened in 1969.

Henry said that with a $1 billion shortfall, "there aren't many popular or easy ideas for saving money."

But he also noted that the executive budget can be changed by lawmakers during the balance of the four-month legislative session that began Monday.

"We hope that all of the proposals are given due consideration, particularly those that will save taxpayers' money, but legislators can and often do reject them," the governor said in his proposal.

Rhett Morgan 581-8395
rhett.morgan@tulsaworld.com

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Museums in area oppose governor's budget-cutting plan

CLAREMORE — Officials from two area museums said Tuesday that they oppose a state budget-cutting measure that would consolidate them under the Oklahoma Historical Society.

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