Painting of Dugout Soddy on the Prairie Dedicated

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, entitled Dugout Soddy on the Prairie, by internationally known western artist Wayne Cooper of Depew, Oklahoma was unveiled during a ceremony in the House Chamber this afternoon. After the land run, many pioneers made their homes in sod houses. The painting depicts a pioneer woman going about her daily chores outside her sod home. Once they dotted the landscape in western Oklahoma. Today only one remains, in the community of Aline, where it is preserved and protected by the Oklahoma Historical Society, explained Senator Ford, President of the Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The painting is a gift of the Kerr Foundation, Inc. The nonprofit charitable and educational Oklahoma corporation was established to identify and support programs, organizations and institutions that provide new or enhanced opportunities for Oklahomans, particularly the young. It was particularly appropriate that the Kerr Foundation would fund this painting which will hang in the entryway to the House of Representatives Chamber. Robert S. Kerr, Jr., Chairman of the Kerr Foundation, Inc. had two uncles and one son who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, noted Senator Ford. This and other art commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. can be found on the Internet at: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/senate/welcome.html.