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The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) congratulates the Claremore Museum of History for receiving an Award of Excellence for the Lynn Riggs Gallery. The Award of Excellence is part of the AASLH Leadership in History Awards, the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation of state and local history.

The Claremore Museum of History acquired the personal estates of several of Lynn Riggs’ family members. Within the collections, the museum now owns paintings that were owned and on display in Lynn Rigg’s personal home that were painted by his partner, Ramon Naya, as well as from very well-known painters of the time period that were Lynn Riggs’ personal friends. In addition to the paintings, the museum has also obtained personal items such as his studio piano from his apartment in New York, original negatives from personal photographs he took during his lifetime, home items, his library and music collection as well as notes, letters, original plays with his personal notes and college papers.

According to Steve Robinson, Claremore MoH board chair, the gallery is significant on many levels. “Our museum did not have an extensive art collection previously so the gallery has been a draw to art lovers across the nation. Given many of the paintings were done by Lynn Riggs partner, the works also have significance from a diversity perspective in helping to tell the story of Lynn Riggs life as a gay man in the 30’s. Lynn Riggs Native American influence is strong in Oklahoma and having his personal notes amongst the papers and college items from his days at The University of Oklahoma are treasures that don’t exist elsewhere in the nation.”

“In addition to the paintings from Lynn’s partner, we also have portraits from Willie Kasso and Marion Greenwood – nationally known artists, as well as an oil on canvass of Lynn Riggs’ home on Shelter Island. The star of the gallery is a large self-portrait that Lynn Riggs painted of himself with left over paint from their home on Fire Island,” he added.

This year, AASLH is proud to confer fifty-one national awards honoring people, projects, and exhibits. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.  The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203, or go to www.aaslh.org.