Two artists who hail from Tulsa recently began restoration of the top part of the main totem pole at Totem Pole Park, off Route 66 in Foyil, Oklahoma, according to KOTV.
Margo Hoover and Erin Turner began using power washers Saturday to strip the remnants of the old paint off so they can repaint the icon, finished by Ed Galloway in 1948.
They grew up in Tulsa, went off to different art schools and started careers – Erin in Brooklyn, New York, Margo teaches art in Oakland, California – but for the next six weeks they’ll be removing the old latex paint and repainting with a more durable mineral based paint.
While they’re doing that, the tourists keep coming. Totem Pole Park Director David Anderson said they get about 10,000 people signing the guest book every year.
“Over 1,000 of those will be from out of the United States,” he said.
The lower part of the main totem pole was restored a few years ago.
The park launched a successful Kickstarter campaign last month to help pay for the restoration, raising more than $5,000.
The Totem Pole Park’s directors also are offering sponsorships for certain sections of the main pole.
Galloway built the main totem pole between 1937 and 1948. The park fell into disrepair after Galloway’s death in 1961 until the Rogers County Historical Society acquired it in 1989. The park has undergone several renovations since. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Totem Pole Park isn’t on Route 66, but remains a common side trip for Mother Road travelers.
UPDATE 7/30/2015: The Tulsa World posted this fun story — along with a video — about the restoration effort.
(Image of the restoration work via the Totem Pole Park’s Facebook page)