For immediate release: 6/15/07

Turn-of-the-century historic village evolving to meet new challenges

Tucked away in a secluded cove along the shoreline of Grand Lake, Har-Ber Village beckons the traveler to stop and enjoy a stroll through America’s past. Authentic cabins, appointed with period furnishings, dot the wooded and gently rolling landscape that slopes to the waters edge.

A walk down the charmingly rustic Main Street transports a yearly average of 295,000 visitors back in time as they pass the drug store, barber shop and the stagecoach inn, each arranged and staged with well chosen antiques. Lively melodies from the music house are carried on the soft lake breeze. Following the arrows, as well as their fancy, visitors are free to wander through the turn of the century village on a self guided tour of the 114 buildings.

Opened in 1968, Har-Ber Village is evolving to meet the challenges unique to operating an antique museum in a modern disposable society. “Will the public go to the museum to see a beautiful Anasazi pot when they can buy an exact replica on e-bay?” Marketing the 19th century for a technological 21st century audience is a challenge that Executive Director Jan Norman has successfully undertaken. Different avenues to augment the village are constantly being explored. This summer a new visitor center and gallery will open, formally welcoming visitors to browse through traveling exhibits and arts and humanities programs on the way to experiencing the village.

Outside partnerships, such as the one they have formed with the Grand River Dam Authority, are helping to answer these questions and are producing favorable results.

“There is great economic value of having GRDA on the lake, they understand tourism,” said Norman.

Working with Norman, GRDA’s graphic artist Karen Olinger created an exhibit of the Pensacola Dam using enlarged copies of the original 1930’s photographs. The twenty month construction period is documented in a black and white pictorial lay-out. The historic dam with 51 arches that rise almost 150 feet above the riverbed and span 5,145 feet is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A steam engine was relocated to make room for the exhibit. The open building, with only a roof and back wall, is environmentally controlled for preservation and conservation of the detailed narrative. The distinctively airy floor plan provides dual entrance which means the building is either one of the first (1A) or one of the last (99) seen by the visitor, depending on the route taken.

The picturesque setting was purchased by Harvey and Bernice Jones in 1944 as a place to build a summer home. Bernice’s desire for an old fashioned church on the property developed into a mission for both of them and one that she would carry into the 21st century, “a sincere effort to preserve for future generations the way of life as experienced by our forefathers who carved out of the wilderness this wonderful county we know and enjoy today.”

The church, located on the scenic shoreline of Grand Lake, was built by Harvey for Bernice soon after purchase of the property. The first building on the property, it is constructed of handmade bricks that were formed before the Civil War. The bricks were from three massive fireplaces that once heated the old Van Winkle home in War Eagle, AR. Customized stained glass windows were commissioned and a pulpit that was built in 1850 completed the simple design. A marble statue of Christ sent from Italy was positioned in front of the church but facing the lake with outstretched arms.

A cabin that would house the preacher and his family was next on Bernice’s list. Harvey found one dating back to the 1840’s and brought it back to the property where he reconstructed it log by log. Though the original intent was not to create a village, with the quick addition of a one-room school house that was found near Goshen, AR, the Jones’ village was well on its way and is now home to the largest collection of authentic log cabins in the Midwest and one of the largest antique museums in the United States. The name chosen represents the first three letters of Harvey and Bernice’s names.

Bernice spoke of the development in an early interview and said: “From this beginning, one thing led to another and now there are more than 100 buildings, each of which houses its own display. Harvey loved auctions, and we attended dozens over a four state area. We would also hear about items such as the hearse, which we located north of Oklahoma City or the bank with solid mahogany fixtures which was purchased in Carterville, MO. Its closing was caused by the Great Depression.”

The first visitors were curious boaters who would pull up along the shore to get a closer look at the cabin and church. Since then there have been over seven million people who have walked the lush, park-like grounds. Visitors from 39 states and 13 countries, ranging from Australia to Taiwan, have toured the village in the first three months of this season.

The Jones’ gifted the village to Grove, Oklahoma and the Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees in 1999. According to a statement by Bernice, “In 1968 Harvey and I began a labor of love-- Har-Ber Village. We worked long hours designing and building the Village and purchasing the artifacts. We had a simple vision…Our dream came true with the opening of the Village. ..I now face a different challenge—to preserve Har-Ber Village so that it will remain intact and true to our wishes and its mission…”

A combination of a dedicated people remain committed to carrying out the Jones’ mission. The Executive Director, Board of Directors as well as legislators and volunteers partner together to ensure that Har-Ber Village will continue to educate and enlighten visitors of America’s past.

“We want to carry on the mission and objective of Harvey and Bernice Jones,” said Norman, who was personally selected by Bernice to assume the responsibilities of becoming the first Executive Director. “We have adopted a strategic plan; it is a continuation of the mission and objective with historical preservation programs.”

Though the number of annual visitors remains in the hundreds of thousands, attendance is down slightly from years past. Norman realizes that the audience is becoming farther removed from past, no longer did grandma use “a churn just like that.”

Our children are the audience of tomorrow. We must add dimension to Har-Ber Village to attract these children, young families, and travelers of tomorrow,” said Norman. “They are a product of our changing world—fast paced and push button. We are challenged to develop and implement exhibits and programs that will continue the success of Har-Ber Village.”

Working with others in the field, Norman has devised interactive educational programs that compliment the historicity of the village. Partnering with the Business Circle for Arts Education of Oklahoma is just one way Norman boosts the “edutainment.” The Native American Program works with participating schools and their curriculum. Scheduling school visits and units of study of the Native American tribes in the continental U.S. during Pre-European Period focus study on geography, language, shelter, transportation, clothing, tools, weapons, arts and artifacts as well as the cultural contribution shared by the tribes.

The carefully collected and highly prized artifacts of Har-Ber Village allow the students to see history in an authentic setting, but it is the actual setting of the Village that attracts some students.

The Ecology Center hosts several events throughout the season. Project Wild is designed for educators. Sessions are scheduled by the Oklahoma Fish and Wildlife Conservation Center. Upon completion teachers receive certification to implement ecology/environmental activities in classroom study.

Diversifying programs increases the value, viability and public awareness of Har-Ber Village. Norman has worked tirelessly during her tenure to secure funding, elevate perception and broaden the appeal of the village.

“Har-Ber Village is a major source of tourism revenue,” said Norman.

It is through partnerships like the one Har-Ber Village shares with the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) that have enabled Norman to achieve growth. Proud of their common history, GRDA shares Norman’s enthusiasm in promoting Grand Lake.

The GRDA exhibit is one among the one hundred sixteen exhibits currently on display. Located just outside of Grove, on the shore of Jones Cove, Har-Ber Village is open daily March 1-October 14 Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm; October 15 through November 15 Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is $3.50 for 14 yrs to 62 yrs, $2.50 for seniors 62+ and children under 14 are free. There are group discounts available and school sponsored tours (K-College) are free.

5203- The Grand River Dam Authority's (GRDA) exhibit features the pictorial lay-out of the Pensacola Dam. Construction of the 6,565 foot Dam, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, lasted for 18 months.



5198- A look down "Main Street" of America's past. Har-Ber Village, home to the largest collection of authentic cabins in the Midwest and one of the largest antique museums in the United States, is tucked away in a secluded cove along the shoreline of Grand Lake.



5204- The Har-Ber Village School is a one-room schoolhouse that came from Arkansas. The desks that were found in the attic are now positioned facing the front of the class as they once did. The blackboard is also original.