Bob Blackburn: Oklahoma History Center, OKPOP & a Lifetime of Preserving OK History | Full Interview

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Bob Blackburn devoted his life to preserving and interpreting Oklahoma’s history, becoming one of the state’s most influential public historians. A native Oklahoman, he served as executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society from 1999 to 2021. His path began with a love of storytelling shaped by his family, particularly his mother, Ida B., the charismatic host of the Romper Room television show. Her entrepreneurial spirit and talent for communication influenced his own approach to history, which blended scholarship, listening, and public engagement. Blackburn earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University before completing his M.A. and Ph.D. in history at Oklahoma State University. By the time he finished graduate school, he had already published his first book and established himself as a gifted researcher and writer. Through his early work he developed the listening skills, discipline, and curiosity that fueled his career.

In 1980 Blackburn joined the Oklahoma Historical Society as editor of The Chronicles of Oklahoma, where he spent a decade shaping scholarship and building relationships across the state. His steady influence led to his appointment as deputy director and eventually executive director. In that role he helped plan, fund, and build the Oklahoma History Center, a 215,000-square-foot museum and research facility that transformed the visibility and impact of Oklahoma history. He recalls navigating complex funding challenges, earning bipartisan support, and raising private donations to complete a project many believed was impossible. The result became a national-caliber institution and the first Oklahoma Historical Society site to win affiliation with both the Smithsonian Institution and the National Archives.

Blackburn’s leadership extended statewide through dozens of museums and historic sites, and he championed public–private partnerships that strengthened preservation efforts across Oklahoma. His interest in pop culture, radio, and entertainment history led to early groundwork for OKPOP in Tulsa, developed through relationships with artists, collectors, and community leaders. He also worked with Osage leaders and community members through the White Hair Memorial, gaining a deeper understanding of Osage culture and the historical trauma explored in Killers of the Flower Moon. His efforts helped encourage respectful collaboration during the development of the film adaptation.

Throughout the interview Blackburn reflects on family stories, writers who shaped Oklahoma’s image, and the importance of accessible historical resources such as the Gateway to Oklahoma History. He emphasizes that understanding personal heritage leads to a deeper understanding of community and encourages future generations to see history as a tool for connection, courage, and informed citizenship. His legacy is one of preservation, accessibility, and a lifelong belief that studying the past can help build a better future for Oklahoma.

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