If there is one thing I learned as a historian the past 50 years, it is that Oklahoma history is made by people who overcome challenges and seize opportunities.

The odyssey of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, better known as OKPOP, is a great example of both.

When the Oklahoma Historical Society started planning the OKPOP almost 15 years ago, we faced a number of challenges.

First was legislative authorization, which was won only when two leaders, Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman and Speaker Jeff Hickman, helped convince a majority of Republicans and Democrats to vote for a bill that created an innovative new museum and funded the first phase of planning and construction.

Then came the question of where to build OKPOP.

After three sites were considered and rejected, Tulsa businessm

See Full Page