Documentary shows restoration of Oklahoma Capitol • Oklahoma Voice

OKLAHOMA CITY – A documentary released June 28 by the Oklahoma Historical Society highlights the Oklahoma Capitol and the building’s nearly decade-long restoration.

The People’s House was created as a bookend to the restoration process and to capture the history of the building.

Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, who served as project manager for the restorations between 2014 and 2020, said the film captured a “once-in-a-generation project.”

Thompson said the building was in poor condition before the restoration. It was “dark and dingy,” he said.

Thompson said this documentary is an opportunity to showcase the Oklahoma Capitol in its current restored state.

“It was truly a desire to capture the history of our iconic State Capitol in a concise documentary,” Thompson said.

He hopes that after watching the film, people will understand that the Oklahoma Capitol is more than just a building, but a representation of the people of Oklahoma.

“It’s not just any old building … it’s a place where people come and their voices are heard,” he said. “Here are their legislators who will hopefully hear their thoughts and ideals and try to codify them into law. It’s a place that is a symbol of our democracy.”

The project, funded by the In this respect Foundation is directed by Brian Beasley, narrated by John Erling, a former Tulsa radio host, and features drone footage from Sky Candy Studios. The film took about a year and a half to complete.

Thompson said the animations and coordination of the interviews took the longest. The interviews included people Thompson described as “integral parts of the Capitol, Oklahoma and the political process.”

Among those interviewed were former governors such as George Nigh, Frank Keating and Mary Fallin.

“I’m really grateful we were able to do the documentary because it really preserves history,” Thompson said. “Why is the building important? Why should we care about our Capitol? I think the documentary answers those questions.”

The documentary can be streamed on the Oklahoma Historical Society website. Youtube Profile. The film made its Television debut on Oklahoma’s statewide PBS station on June 27.