Retirement Home Auctions Off Pieces of Oklahoma's History

A metro retirement home is in need of serious repairs to keep its residents safe, and it could be the family who built the home that may be the ones to save it.

Wednesday, October 28th 2009, 10:19 pm

By: News 9


By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A metro retirement home is in need of serious repairs to keep its residents safe, and it could be the family who built the home that may be the ones to save it.

The Shepherd family came to Oklahoma during the 1889 Land Run. The family had several daughters who were talented artists, and now their works are being sold to benefit the home.

"I'm so glad that they're out here in the open and we can view them and they'll go to some people that will appreciate them," said art lover Janet Wood.

Wood is visiting from Ada and said she couldn't resist stopping by to look at these artworks by the Shepherd sisters.

Shepherd Sisters' Artwork

"It's just interesting. The whole thing is just a piece of history to me, Oklahoma City history, Oklahoma history," Wood said.

More than 140 works by sisters Edith, Leona, Nettie, and Nellie are on display at First Presbyterian Church. The works include everything from sketches, to portrait, to landscapes and still life.

"Nellie was the most famous and recognized sister of the group. She went to Paris and was awarded an honorable mention at the Grand Salon. Consequently she came back and helped found the Oklahoma Art League," said Linda Bosteels, Shepherd art auction coordinator.

During the 1889 Land Run, the Shepherd family settled on a parcel of land near Northwest 23rd and Villa Avenue, which is now known as Shepherd Mall. The family also funded the Shepherd Manor retirement home.

All of the Shepherd sisters' artwork hung on the walls at the retirement home for the past 45 years, but it was recently taken down so it could be sold. All the proceeds will go back to the home for much needed repairs.

"They need some construction work, some roof damage has happened. A little bit of everything over there," Bosteels said.

The organizers hope the auction will bring in about $50,000, but these may not be the last artworks the public sees from the Shepherd sisters.

"There are also about 200 drawings that have never even come to light yet. That's my next project," Bosteels said.

The artwork will be on display Thursday and Friday. The auction will take place on Sunday.

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