Will Rogers Memorial Museums Under New Leadership
During an October visit to Oklahoma, I had the pleasure of visiting with Steven K. Gragert, who is now
in charge of the Will Rogers Memorial Museums at Claremore.
The Will Rogers Memorial Commission named Gragert interim director and launched a national search to
replace departing director Michelle Lefebvre-Carter.
Gragert, who has been serving as associate director, has edited 17 books on Will Rogers. He spearheaded
the fourth and fifth volumes of "The Will Rogers Papers," published by the University of Oklahoma Press.
Michelle Lefebvre-Carter has been director since 1999. A news release from the commission said
she is leaving the post to "pursue other interests and to spend more time with my family."
"Members of the commission have repeatedly praised Michelle and her husband, Joseph H. Carter, the former
director, for their fine work over the past 17 years," Jim Hartz, commission chair, said. "They were a team although
only one drew a salary during all those years."
Gragert owned a publishing firm in addition to his employment at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater
and Rogers State University in Claremore, where he edited the 17 books.
During his tenure at Claremore, he has been archivist-librarian and shared in management policy and
day-to-day operations.
The commission oversees the nine-gallery Will Rogers Memorial Museum at Claremore and the 400-acre
1870s living history Will Rogers birthplace ranch near Oologah.
Gragert is a very personable individual who took time out from a busy schedule for a get-acquainted
meeting. At the time of our visit, he was getting ready for the annual Will Rogers Days, held each year near the
time of Will Rogers' November 4 birthday.
Despite his workload, he agreed to serve as the final judge for the Will Rogers Writing Contest sponsored
by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists in conjunction with the Will Rogers Writers' Workshop to be held in Oklahoma
City March 15-17, 2007. (More information on this topic may be found by clicking on Will Rogers Writing Contest
above.)
The museum visit also afforded an opportunity to see a new display of seven presidents Will Rogers wrote
about. The exhibit, featuring sculptured heads from the Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World
Resort, includes comments from the era they served, along with items from the museum archives.
Read about this attraction and Will Rogers Days activities on the museum web site www.willrogers.com. (Click on "What's New.")
