what ‘not’ kind.” Of the many social events hosted there, one of the most renowned gatherings was in May of 1946 when it hosted 48 governors for their 38th annual conference. Many black-tie affairs and club meetings were hosted in the art room, the showplace for the Buttrams’ many prized artworks acquired on various trips to Europe and Russia. In 1975, the Buttram home in Nichols Hills became an art museum when the Oklahoma Museum of Art at Red Ridge relocated from 5500 N. Lincoln Blvd. The mansion’s three stories, plus a full basement, more than doubled the museum’s previous gallery space. The new caretakers of the former Buttram home continued the legacy of Merle, hosting art exhibitions, classes, Four of the Buttram children attended the unveiling of their parents’ portraits at the Oklahoma fundraisers, concerts, and music competitions Hall of Fame in the Oklahoma Heritage Center, 1972. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. Merle Buttram,1938.Courtesy Oklahoma Historical The 38th annual Governor’s Conference was hosted An audience sits on the lawn of the Oklahoma Museum Society. at the Buttrams’ estate,1946. Courtesy Oklahoma of Art, formerly the Buttrams’ estate, for an outdoor Historical Society. concert,1982. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. until 1989 when the museum merged state. In her correspondence related to her with the Oklahoma Art Center to form the induction, she was in awe of the honor and Oklahoma City Art Museum (OCAM). expressed that she had only done what The OCAM would eventually become she felt was needed to be done for the the Oklahoma City Museum of Art which community. Her vision endures, enriching the continues the original vision of its founders in lives of all Oklahomans. its downtown location. Merle was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1964, joining her husband Frank as one of the many Oklahomans honored for outstanding service to the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra performs for small children,1966. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. 52