The landmark Totem Pole Park near Foyil, Oklahoma, recently received new directors, plus a $20,000 grant to restore its Fiddle House.
The Claremore Daily Progress reports Wes and Jennifer Cantwell are the park’s new overseers, replacing the retiring David and Patsy Anderson after 14 years.
The Cantwells grew up just a few miles from the park, and they told the newspaper they want to add family-friendly activities.
The Rogers County Historical Society owns the park, which receives about 11,000 visitors annually.
The park also received a $20,000 grant from the Heritage Preservation Grant Program.
Funds will be used for preserving and restoration work on the Fiddle House. This includes documenting existing artwork, conducting conservation work and redesigning the interior.
Bobbie Cary, treasurer of Rogers County Historical Society, said the grant will enable work to complete the restoration of the exterior of the Fiddle House and to begin the conservation of the original murals done by Mr. Galloway on the interior walls.
Ed Galloway built the park’s main totem pole between 1937 and 1948, though other structures were built there. Totem Pole Park eventually was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Totem Pole Park remains a popular side trip from Route 66 in Foyil.
(A close-up image by NCPTT Media of the main totem pole at Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Foyil, Oklahoma, via Flickr)