Wagoner Hosts Grand Opening of History Center

Wagoner Mayor AJ Jones, Stage Costume worn by Glen Campbell, Acoustic Guitar signed by Glen Campbell, Electric Guitar signed by Roy Clark, Hee Haw Collage.

The City of Wagoner is pleased to announce that a grand reopening celebration is planned for Feb. 28, 2020, at 3 p.m. “The Wagoner Historical Museum first floor has been under renovation since late- July, per Mayor Jones, and we are excited for everyone to see the major changes and the opportunity to feature these two great exhibits.”

Jim Halsey’s Legends of Country Music Exhibit will showcase everything from a Grammy to autographed guitars, gold and platinum albums, stage costumes and more. Jim Halsey is a legendary music impresario. His career has spanned over 60 years. He set music industry standards in the area of music management, entertainment and education. He has guided and even discovered some of the biggest entertainers in music, including the Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Roy Clark, Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison, James Brown, Brenda Lee and so many more. Halsey has organized and presented country music performances all over the world, in many places for the first time. He has sold out concerts from Carnegie Hall to Moscow to Tokyo. He also founded the Halsey Institute of Music and Entertainment Business, has authored two books, co-created the Billboard/Starmaker World Wide Song Contest. “We are delighted to have this special collection and exhibit in Wagoner per Mayor Jones. Visitors will be able to see important pieces of country music history here in north-east Oklahoma.”

Shirle Lamb Williams is a well-known historian and author about all things Wagoner. She is the great-granddaughter of William H. and Sallie McAnally -who June 5, 1887, became the first permanent citizens of Wagoner. Her parents Charles and Ola Lamb, she credits for preserving the important city records, documents, photographs that tell the fascinating story of early Wagoner. Mayor Jones reports that “Shirle is a walking, talking encyclopedia of Wagoner history. She, along with the late Liz McMahan, did an outstanding job of bringing the city’s history to life. We are delighted to have her early Wagoner 1887 collection for all to see.”

The Museum Center will reopen on Feb. 28. Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell and other dignitaries will celebrate the reopening. Ceremonies will begin at 3p.m.. The Center is located at 122 S. Main in downtown Wagoner.