Architect John Patterson’s rendering of the Pottawatomie County Museum as seen from 9th Street at Minnesota
Paul Milburn, Shawnee land development businessman and generous philanthropist, has offered a $500,000 challenge grant to the Pottawatomie County Museum & Historical Society. The grant offers a tremendous boost toward the boards’ ultimate goal of raising $1.6 million for a new, and much needed museum facility. The Milburn challenge, however, comes with the stipulation that a matching amount be raised by June 1 of this year. If successful, the museum’s new home would be built north of the existing museum and the Beard Cabin – on land donated earlier by Milburn.
Members of the board of directors are extremely grateful for this generous challenge. They hope other individuals, foundations or businesses, with historical ties to Shawnee and Pottawatomie County, take note of the challenge and step forward with additional donations. The June 1 challenge deadline offers a sense of urgency and all contributions – large or small – are welcome. Board members realize that a gift opportunity like this cannot slip away.
Visitors to the current museum in the former Santa Fe Depot are well aware of the need for additional space and historical preservation. Museum holdings must be properly presented and the need for climate controlled storage space is imperative to protect irreplaceable artifacts and files.
The initial fundraising campaign to build a new facility began in 2008, resulting in gifts and pledges of approximately $600,000. The addition of $1,000,000, which includes the Milburn grant and ongoing fundraising efforts, would allow the Historical Society to seek bids for construction – a long awaited and exciting moment.
Plans for the new museum include special programs for larger audiences and be able to take advantage of traveling educational exhibits made available in cooperation with other museums and historical societies. The current museum building will remain in operation and feature the railroad industry and their influence on the growth of Pottawatomie County.
In recent years Milburn and his wife, Ann, have established Student Success centers at Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma State University. He provided matching funds for two homes at the Lions Boys Ranch at Perkins and two dormitories at the Methodist Camp Canyon.
The Children’s Hospital Foundation has honored the Milburns for establishing four endowed chairs at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. The Shawnee Education Foundation will honor him on February 24 with the Max Brattin Award in recognition of his work to develop a program to reduce the drop-out rate in Shawnee and area public schools. An endowment he provided helps support this program. Paul has been a member of the Shawnee Lions Club for over 50 years and was recognized with the Melvin Jones award, named for the founder of Lions Club, for his outstanding work with the club. In addition he supports work in Africa performed by Groundswell that teaches agricultural practices and provides fresh water wells for villages .
The Pottawatomie County Historical Society is a 501(c)3 corporation. Contributions are deductible under IRS regulations. Gifts to match the Milburn challenge may be in the form of cash, negotiable securities, or checks made payable to Pottawatomie County Historical Society, P. O. Box 114, Shawnee, OK 74802, or brought in person to the Pottawatomie County Museum, 614 East Main, Shawnee, OK. Gifts for the new museum will be recognized in a Hall of Honor. Contributions of $5,000 or more will be engraved on stars with the size indicative of the gift. Gifts of $100 to $4,999 will be engraved on an adjacent plaque. The museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm on Tuesday through Saturday. For questions, please call 275-8412 or email at info@pottcountymuseum.org.
