The new year has started out with an ambitious project for the Henryetta Historical Society.
With new leadership on the board, the organization is looking for growth in the future and want to make an even bigger impact in the community.
For years the non-profit organization has been headquartered in the three-room building that once housed Henryetta students a century ago.
Now the museum has outgrown its present site and wants to expand.
That means moving into a larger space and, according to society chair Brad Sellers, ideally that would be moving to another historic site, the former Patty Ann Restaurant.
Located at the corner of Sixth and Main, the restaurant was a must-stop place for motorists coming through town as well as the many residents who ate there no matter what time of night or day.
Opened by Jack Hines in the mid-1950s, the restaurant was named for his daughter and quickly received praise from industry critics across the state and throughout the region
Waitresses were always attired in the crisp uniforms that included a white blouse and small hat.
In the rear of the building was the spacious meeting room, Patty Ann's Playroom, that hosted local events as well as state and national dignitaries and politicians.
"We have so much crammed into the building that it is overwhelming to visitors," Sellers said. "We need room to spread out our displays and make so much more available. There are a lot of things that have been stored for years out of sight."
Another possible new home for the museum would be the old Presbyterian Church located at the corner of Fifth and Division Worship services ceased nearly ten years ago then the building suffered a devastating accident when a number of the limestone rocks that made up its nothing exterior collapsed.
Todd and Diane Groff purchased the building and restored the exterior then spent hours turning the building into a wedding chapel. In addition to the one of a kind architectural facade, it is also known for the beautiful stained glass windows that are nearly 100 years old.
No matter where the museum winds up, it is going to be expensive and Society members are looking for help financing the project.
"There are grants that can be obtained," Sellers said, "but those take time and many of them require matching funds. We are asking both local and past area residents to help."
Because the organization has the tax-exempt certification, that means all donations are tax exempt.
"We have held fund-raisers in the past but a lot of that money has been needed to maintain our present building. It is showing its age."
That fundraising effort got a shot in the arm this week when Bill Conatster, a longtime resident of Henryetta presented the organization with a $1,000 check.
The 98-year-old Conatster has seen a lot of Henryetta's history as well as world history first hand. He served in the Navy during World War II and was present at the battle of Iwo Jima.
The museum contains examples of early life in Henryetta and the area but the centerpiece of the museum is the Joseph Hardin photography collection.
For decades Hardin documented life and the people throughout Henryetta and Oklahoma. He pioneered the landscape panoramic photography panels with many of them on display at the museum as well as in other businesses in Henryetta.
His photo collection has been digitized and is available for sale through the museum.
"We want to preserve our history for future generations," Sellers pointed out. "This requires us to move ahead and need the help from everyone to do that."
Sellers is joined on the Historical Society board by Ron Collette, T.A. Jones and Marcus Whitworth.