Jake Krumwiede Named Director of OKPOP

OKLAHOMA CITY — Jake Krumwiede has been named the next director of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture in Tulsa, also known as OKPOP. Krumwiede has been the museum director at Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid since August 2019. He has been an OHS employee for more than 16 years, with 13 of those years at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore.

“I’m incredibly excited to get started at OKPOP. As a lifelong Oklahoman, I have a real passion for telling our story,” said Krumwiede. “I am thrilled and honored to be able to showcase the creative spirit and influence of Oklahoma artists. We have a lot of work to do, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to it.”

Krumwiede earned his bachelor’s degree in social science from Rogers State University in Claremore and his master’s degree in history from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. He is involved in the community and currently serves on the Enid Historic Preservation Commission, Enid Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, and Main Street Enid. He is also part of the Enid Rotary Club, Chautauqua Council of Enid, and Gaslight Theatre in Enid. Krumwiede is a member of several professional organizations, including the Oklahoma Museums Association, where he serves on the Board of Directors.

Krumwiede takes over after the resignation of former director Jeff Moore. Moore served as the director of OKPOP since the inception of the project. He oversaw the completion of the OKPOP building in downtown Tulsa and has been instrumental in the addition of important archival collections such as the Leon Russell collection.

“I am exceedingly grateful to Jeff Moore for his many years of service to the Oklahoma Historical Society and his dedication to OKPOP. Jeff is a true professional whose vision brought the OKPOP project to life. I am happy to appoint Jake Krumwiede as the new director of the OKPOP Museum project,” said Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. “Jake has performed exceptionally well during his 16-year tenure at the Oklahoma Historical Society, and I am confident he will be successful in leading OKPOP to its opening date and well beyond. Jake is an innovative thinker, a tireless worker, a dedicated community member, and an exceptional leader. Under his guidance, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid has enjoyed increased attendance, a wide variety of engaging programming, and fundraising success. Jake is a resident of Tulsa, and I know the city will welcome him in his new role.”

OKPOP is currently in a fundraising campaign for the next phase of the museum. Country superstar and Oklahoma native Blake Shelton is the honorary campaign chairman for the OKPOP Foundation.

OKPOP is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites, and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs, and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.