History of Tulsa and Tulsa's Mayors
Tulsa Mayors Library created to preserve history, report
accomplishments
The former Mayors of Tulsa, achievements under their leadership,
and our city's history is being preserved through an exhibit that
will include recorded interviews with seven of the living mayors of
Tulsa and a photo exhibit featuring a display of photos of all 39
mayors. The historical photos, previously displayed in a conference
room in the former City Hall building, were organized into a newly
redesigned display that fits the more contemporary design of the
new City Hall offices at One Technology Center. The Tulsa Mayors
Library, located on the 15th floor where the Mayor's office is
located, is scheduled to be open in January.
The Mayor's office often hosts students interested in learning
more about local government. This exhibit will give them more
history and more information to view than ever before.The library
will feature historic documents, such as Tulsa's first charter and
the original plans for the Tulsa epxressway system, and
memorabilia.
The Library and photo exhibit was made possible through a grant
from the Taylor/Lobeck family in honor of Kathy Taylor, the City's
38th mayor (2006-2009).
"We have been in the new building for more than a year, and we
needed to find a home for the Tulsa mayors' exhibit," Taylor said.
"Our city has a fascinating history. That history should not only
be preserved, but our city's story should be told. There is an
opportunity here to continue adding information and changing
exhibits as the space and resources allow. I hope it will generate
greater interest in Tulsa's history, and inspire students to
community service."
No public funds were used in the creation of the exhibit or
library. Public viewing will be scheduled through the Mayor's
office and school children who visit City Hall on field trips will
have an opportunity to learn more about these Tulsa leaders.
Much of the information and photos included in the Library also
will be posted here on the City's website. Check back in January
for updates.
We would like to thank the following people and organizations
for their contributions to this exhibit.
Cara Phippen, Brent Wheeler and InVision Media Group, Kerry
Walsh and Rod Clifford and Walsh & Associations, Carl Brune,
Ben Edwards, Tulsa Historical Society's Joshua Peck, Tulsa
University and Professor Kalpana Misra, Associate Dean - Henry
Kendall College of Arts and Sciences and her student Jinan El
Sabbagh; Ann Patton, Priscilla Harris, and Ann Taylor, Advantage
Glass, Anna America, Pam Listar, BOK Center, Becky Dixon.
New feature; Mayor's Reports to Citizens
As an addition to the Library project, we have launched a new
feature to highlight City of Tulsa accomplishments during a mayoral
term. This section will include Mayor's reports that document the
city's accomplishments during a mayor's term. See Mayor Kathy
Taylor's report to
citizens on the city.
