Three-part online docuseries on OKC neighborhoods begins Monday

"From Statehood to the Suburbs," a new three-part online docuseries featuring Dr. Bob Blackburn that tells the fascinating story of the boom, bust and resurgence of Oklahoma City and her neighborhoods, will stream at 7 p.m. on three consecutive nights beginning Monday, May 17th through Wednesday, May 19th.

Told by OKC’s own local historian, Dr. Bob Blackburn, recently retired director of the Oklahoma History Center & Historical Society, this series has something for everyone to enjoy.

Each episode tells the story of how our city was built. From transportation, parks and oil, to race relations, the suburban movement, neighborhood architecture, and finally historic preservation and MAPS-Blackburn masterfully narrates stories of success, failure, hopes, and disappointments and how each move for change impacted the economy and landscape of the city.

The docuseries will be broadcast on The Neighborhood Alliance social media platforms including Zoom and Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/Neighborhood.Alliance). For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/3hs7WcV.

“From Statehood to the Suburbs” is presented by the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma and sponsored by A to Z Inspections, The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, OKC Good and the City of Oklahoma City.

Dr. Bob Blackburn, a native Oklahoman, recently retired as executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS). He joined the OHS in 1980 as editor of The Chronicles of Oklahoma and became deputy director for agency operations in 1990.

Blackburn, a regular guest on the History Channel, has published several articles and written or co-authored more than 20 books on history. He was instrumental in planning and building the Oklahoma History Center and has served on numerous national and regional boards and committees, including the Western History Association, the Oklahoma Association of Professional Historians, the AIA, and Leadership Oklahoma City. “I consider myself a storyteller and I love telling stories about people,” said Dr. Blackburn.

Neighborhood Alliance is a 44-year-old nonprofit whose mission is to create safe, beautiful and healthy neighborhoods for all.