1990-2000
By the 1990’s, the Cultural Center was seventy-five years old, and the home was showing its age. The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee was commissioned by Mayor Andrews, in 1996, with the specific task of formulating proposals regarding various capital improvements for the City of Ponca City. A group of 36 citizens, with various backgrounds and experience, met to attempt to formulate such a proposal. Their recommendation for the Cultural Center was as follows: The committee acknowledges the historical value of the Cultural Center and the role that it plays in our community. However, the structure is subject to ongoing escalating maintenance and faces renovation, including compliance with ADA requirements. Due to economic constraints, duplication of services and limited usage, the committee recommended that the most economically feasible option was to sell the property at fair market value. However, the committee added that it would be desirable to incorporate covenants to maintain the historic value of the property. The question was then put up for a vote of the people. The proposition asked “Shall the Board of Commissioners of the City of Ponca City be authorized to sell by competitive public offering the City’s ownership of the real estate and grounds commonly known as the Cultural Center, located at 1000 East Grand Avenue, Ponca City, Oklahoma.” A majority of the citizens voted against the proposition, and it did not pass.
study done
Following the vote, a study of how to best utilize and maintain the 1916 home was conducted. MATRIX Architects, Engineers, Planners Inc. completed a Ponca City Cultural Center - Use Priority Study in 1997 and a Master Plan for the Ponca City Cultural Center in 1998. The Master Plan defined the mission of the Ponca City Cultural Center:
To preserve the historically significant first home of E.W. Marland in Ponca City, interpret the history of E.W. Marland, founder of Marland Oil Company, millionaire philanthropist and tenth governor of the State of Oklahoma, and preserve the artifacts contained in the museums housed in the building for our multi-cultural community and its future generations.
Guidelines for usage of the building and site were also developed and adopted in the Master Plan:
To preserve the historically significant first home of E.W. Marland in Ponca City, interpret the history of E.W. Marland, founder of Marland Oil Company, millionaire philanthropist and tenth governor of the State of Oklahoma, and preserve the artifacts contained in the museums housed in the building for our multi-cultural community and its future generations.
Guidelines for usage of the building and site were also developed and adopted in the Master Plan:
- The facility should be public in nature – publicly owned and publicly used.
- The facility should be an active multi-use facility as well as a museum.
- The facility should be adaptable to multi-use functions and be able to support multiple activities occurring simultaneously.
- The use of the facility should be self-supporting if at all possible.
- Alternative means of acquiring financing for operations and maintenance must be examined.
- A public information and education program about the facility must be developed to ensure long term financial and community support.
era of exterior repairs
Exterior repairs began in earnest. Work on the foundation, corrections to the drainage and water infiltration around the perimeter and concrete decking over the swimming pool took precedent. New guttering and downspouts were installed. Deteriorated wood was replaced on columns and eves. Windows were reglazed with new putty. All trim, doors, windows, and other details were repainted. Stone corners, urns, and balusters were completely removed, repaired, and reset. Garage doors were updated. Stucco was restored. All in all, the home experienced an exterior restoration which helped prepare it for a new century. Some, but not all, of the issues were resolved. And still to tackle were interior renovations and other building repairs as funding allowed.
Friends
Finances were identified as the most important concern in the MATRIX plan. The Master Plan stated:
The Facility is owned by the City of Ponca City, which provides financial support for operating and personnel costs. However, the need for significant capital investments to maintain and improve the Cultural Center at a time of limited City funds requires all City institutions to look for other funding sources. “Friends” [known today as “Friends of the Marland’s Grand Home”] was formed to cooperate with City Officials in order to preserve and improve the Cultural Center. The traditional sources of revenue in the past have included ticket sales, special events, Cultural Center activities, and direct funding from the City of Ponca City. New revenue producing uses must be identified for the Cultural Center.
Fundraising activities for the “Friends” included an Ice Cream Social to begin the membership drive, a fundraising event at the Mertz barn with square dancing and entertainment from Silver Dollar City, a Heritage Day on the grounds of the home celebrating local history, a birthday party for Oklahoma’s 90th year, a 14 Flags educational program, and a member appreciation reception.
A special Ponca display includes the two Ponca Chiefs, Standing Bear and White Eagle, along with Big Snake, Standing Bear’s brother. All three were a part of a formal delegation to Washington D.C. representing the Ponca Tribe. The basement also houses an exhibit of an archaeological dig funded by Marland in 1926. The Arkansas River dig site unearthed artifacts of an ancient Wichita encampment and meat processing center. The effort was guided by Dr. Thoburn of the University of Oklahoma with one-third of the items found going to the Chilocco Indian School, one-third to the University of Oklahoma and one-third kept by Marland to start and Indian Museum in Ponca City.
The Facility is owned by the City of Ponca City, which provides financial support for operating and personnel costs. However, the need for significant capital investments to maintain and improve the Cultural Center at a time of limited City funds requires all City institutions to look for other funding sources. “Friends” [known today as “Friends of the Marland’s Grand Home”] was formed to cooperate with City Officials in order to preserve and improve the Cultural Center. The traditional sources of revenue in the past have included ticket sales, special events, Cultural Center activities, and direct funding from the City of Ponca City. New revenue producing uses must be identified for the Cultural Center.
Fundraising activities for the “Friends” included an Ice Cream Social to begin the membership drive, a fundraising event at the Mertz barn with square dancing and entertainment from Silver Dollar City, a Heritage Day on the grounds of the home celebrating local history, a birthday party for Oklahoma’s 90th year, a 14 Flags educational program, and a member appreciation reception.
A special Ponca display includes the two Ponca Chiefs, Standing Bear and White Eagle, along with Big Snake, Standing Bear’s brother. All three were a part of a formal delegation to Washington D.C. representing the Ponca Tribe. The basement also houses an exhibit of an archaeological dig funded by Marland in 1926. The Arkansas River dig site unearthed artifacts of an ancient Wichita encampment and meat processing center. The effort was guided by Dr. Thoburn of the University of Oklahoma with one-third of the items found going to the Chilocco Indian School, one-third to the University of Oklahoma and one-third kept by Marland to start and Indian Museum in Ponca City.
30th anniversary celebrated
In 1998, the 30th anniversary of the site was celebrated by the unveiling of a bronze plaque signifying the dedication of the home on May 26, 1968. Leon Nelson, who was the City Manager when the City of Ponca City acquired the property in 1967, spoke at the unveiling. He stated, “The purpose of the Indian Museum and Cultural Center is to preserve for future generations the vast and unique culture - the heritage of Ponca City and its environs. That purpose is as true today as it was 30 years ago.”
The addition the office of Ponca City Tourism being housed at the location during this era made the site of great service to the surrounding region. With tourism specialists available to the public, well-established museum exhibits in place, beautiful spaces to rent for special events, and a renovated exterior, the Cultural Center had become a showpiece destination for northern Oklahoma.
The addition the office of Ponca City Tourism being housed at the location during this era made the site of great service to the surrounding region. With tourism specialists available to the public, well-established museum exhibits in place, beautiful spaces to rent for special events, and a renovated exterior, the Cultural Center had become a showpiece destination for northern Oklahoma.
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