Our Shared Legacy

Preserving the untold stories of Black and immigrant families whose stories have too often gone unheard.

Westside and Beyond

History is often told from the center outward.
But some of the most important stories live on the margins.

In Bartlesville, Black and immigrant families have long been part of the city’s story, yet their experiences have rarely been centered, preserved, or told in their own voices. Their lives shaped neighborhoods, churches, schools, and social life in West Bartlesville and beyond, but much of that history exists only in memory, family photographs, and fading recollections.

The Legacy Project: Westside and Beyond exists to preserve and elevate the histories of Black and immigrant families whose lives and contributions have been underrepresented in Bartlesville’s public narrative. These stories are not peripheral to the city’s history. They are living history, essential to understanding the social, cultural, and community fabric of Bartlesville.

Let's Build It

Black families in Bartlesville formed strong, self-sustaining communities in the face of exclusion, segregation, and limited access to opportunity. Through faith institutions, family networks, and mutual support systems, they nurtured children, preserved culture, and demonstrated leadership and resilience across generations, often without formal recognition or documentation. Their experiences reflect strength, dignity, and perseverance that continue to shape the community today.

Immigrant families brought with them languages, traditions, and cultural practices shaped by other regions and nations, while firmly rooting their lives in Bartlesville. Their histories frequently intersect with Black and Indigenous narratives, creating layered identities and shared community spaces. These families worked, raised children, and contributed to the social and economic life of the city while navigating a sense of belonging in environments that were not always inclusive or welcoming.

Together, these narratives offer a more complete and accurate understanding of Bartlesville’s history. They affirm that culture is sustained through people, relationships, and lived experience rather than institutions alone.

The urgency of this work is significant. Many elders who carry firsthand knowledge of these histories are aging, and irreplaceable photographs, documents, and memories are at risk of being lost. Without intentional action, these stories will continue to disappear before they can be recorded, preserved, and shared.

The Legacy Project: Westside and Beyond represents a proactive commitment to preservation while it is still possible. Through recorded oral histories, digitized and archived photographs, and immersive cultural storytelling, the project documents Black and immigrant family histories with accuracy, dignity, and care. The focus is on honoring individuals and families as whole people, not as symbols, stereotypes, or historical footnotes.

Imagine walking up to a map of the world and seeing dots. Dots that represent the people, past and present, of Bartlesville. You press a button, and names and photos appear. You select a photo, and you hear audio. You see visuals of our community members telling the story of how they came to Bartlesville by way of the Trail of Tears, slavery, indentured servitude, or simply a chance at a better life. Stories of endurance that have left indelible marks on Bartlesville’s history. Stories of family, community, triumph, and everything in between.

Now, imagine 75 years from now. A distant relative walks into our living history room and searches for their family name. They come across your photo. They get to watch and hear your story and understand why they are here. Westside Community Center wants to bring history to life and invite participants to experience the lives of those who came before us in this town. That is what makes The Legacy Project: Westside and Beyond unique.

The project’s outcomes extend beyond preservation. These living exhibitions are designed to connect past and present, foster intergenerational understanding, and provide residents and visitors with a fuller, more inclusive narrative of Bartlesville. By making these stories accessible, the project strengthens cultural awareness, civic connection, and community cohesion.

Westside Community Center leads this initiative because we have long served as a trusted anchor for cultural preservation, community engagement, and intergenerational programming. WCC understands that when history and culture are honored together, dignity is restored and communities grow stronger.

Support for The Legacy Project: Westside and Beyond ensures that these voices are recorded, preserved, and shared responsibly. Funding enables the collection, archiving, and presentation of stories that would otherwise remain unheard or be lost altogether.