All media are invited to the Open House on Friday, October 10th 9:00am- 12:00pm

• Free Community Masonry Training at the historic WH Slaughter Mansion
• Saturday, October 11th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
• 3101 NE 50th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73121
• Refreshments provided

A significant preservation effort is taking place during early October at Oklahoma City’s iconic Dr. WH Slaughter Mansion. As part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s effort to teach building preservation trades at significant historic sites across the nation, the HOPE Crew (Hands-On Preservation Experience) will celebrate the legendary Dr. Wyatt Hardy Slaughter while also supporting local historic sites preservation needs.

HOPE Crew is conducting a transformative project aimed at teaching masonry preservation skills to local youth, in partnership with Oklahoma Black Living Legacy, the non-profit housed in the Mansion. This project will take place over nine working days between Sept. 29 – Oct. 11 and will engage students studying at Mid-Del Technical High School and the Gutherie Job Corps. With the generous support of the Kirkpatrick Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserve Route 66 initiative, the students will learn the unique masonry repair and repointing methods needed to address the stone building.

Dr. Wyatt H. Slaughter was born in Colbert County, Alabama in 1872 and attended Walden University, later receiving a medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. After moving to Oklahoma City in 1903, he became widely regarded as the first African American physician to live in the city. He married Edna Randolph, daughter of the first African American teacher in Oklahoma City and they built his practice in the historic Deep Deuce economic and entertainment district. In addition to being a skilled doctor, Dr. Slaughter was a savvy businessman, architect, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a formidable civic leader. He helped support the community in financial ventures to build up Deep Deuce. Dr. Slaughter constructed his mansion in 1937 and lived there for the rest of his life.

HOPE Crew will celebrate the project’s progress by inviting the community, local masons, and anyone interested to come out and try their hand at historic masonry preservation methods on Saturday, October 11th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit this historic site, learn more about the preservation efforts, and lend a hand in the masonry preservation process. Light refreshments will be provided.

The preservation of the WH Slaughter Mansion is not just about restoring a building – it’s about preserving a vital piece of history that tells the story of Dr. Slaughter’s impact on Oklahoma City. Join us in this exciting effort to protect the past while preparing for the future.

RSVP or send questions to:

• Contact: Molly Baker, HOPE Crew Manager
• Mbaker@savingplaces.org | (318) 581-8042

For more information on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HOPE Crew and Preserve Route 66 initiative, visit savingplaces.org.