MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the J. M. Davis Memorial Commission is to house, preserve and display the unique collection of items collected by Mr. J. M. Davis, and to provide an educational experience, entertainment and pleasure to viewers of the collection.
THE COMMISSION
The J. M. Davis Memorial Commission is composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The term of office is four years.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
The duty of the J. M. Davis Memorial Commission is to house, preserve, and display the J. M. Davis Gun Collection and other historical artifacts. The J. M. Davis Museum is located in Claremore, Oklahoma. The museum houses a collection of over 20,000 guns and related items, including 1,200 steins, John Rogers' Statuary, music boxes, swords and knives, household antiques, animal horns and trophy heads, musical instruments and World War I posters.
STATUTORY REFERENCES
Statutory Reference: Title 53, Sections 201-209 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA / SERVICES PROVIDED
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95 Criteria / Service: Actual Actual Budgeted Number of visitors to the Museum 110,036 100,025 100,500 Educational tours & programs 275 270 270 Inquiries answered by phone & in person 4,175 4,010 4,010 Inquiries answered by mail 1,025 998 1,000 Hours of operation 2,688 2,688 2,688
EXPENDITURES BY FUND
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95
Type of Fund: Actual Actual Budgeted
State Appropriated Funds $331,665 $381,996 $343,606
State Continuing / Revolving Funds:
200 Revolving Fund 32,031 42,490 55,000
Federal Funds:
None 0 0 0
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Total Expenditures by Fund $363,696 $424,486 $398,606
EXPENDITURES BY OBJECT
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95
Object of Expenditure Actual Actual Budgeted
Salaries and Benefits $261,974 $271,049 $280,689
Professional Services 0 0 0
Travel 410 639 3,000
Lease-Purchase Expenditures 0 0 0
Equipment 1,107 762 3,000
Other Operating Expenses 100,205 152,036 111,917
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Total Expenditures by Object $363,696 $424,486 $398,606
EXPENDITURES BY BUDGET ACTIVITY / SUB-ACTIVITY
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95
Activity No. and Name Actual Actual Budgeted
10 General Operations $363,696 $424,486 $398,606
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Total Expenditures by Activity $363,696 $424,486 $398,606
FULL-TIME-EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES (FTE) and VEHICLES
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95
Activity No. and Name Actual Actual Budgeted
10 General Operations 9.6 9.7 10.5
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Total FTE 9.6 9.7 10.5
Number of Vehicles 1 1 1
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE / REVIEW
In 1895, Mr. J. M. Davis was given his first gun at the age of 7. This kindled an ambition in him to learn about guns and all the types of guns that had been made, which lasted 78 years until his death in 1973.
In 1917, Mr. Davis moved to Claremore, Oklahoma. He purchased and operated the Mason Hotel, using it as a display facility for his growing collection of guns and other items. By 1929, he had accumulated 99 different types of guns, and began to display the collection on the walls of the Mason Hotel. He collected everything from a 500 year old Chinese hand-cannon to the world's smallest manufactured gun. Many of the firearms were purchased individually, in addition to several outstanding collections such as a collection of Outlaw Guns of the Old West.
Mr. Davis created a foundation which negotiated with the State of Oklahoma to erect the museum building. He leased the entire collection to the State of Oklahoma with the understanding that the State would house, preserve and display the collection for the general public with no admission charge. In 1969, the J. M. Davis Gun Museum was opened to the public. In this modern, 40,000 square foot building are housed Mr. Davis' collections of over 20,000 guns, 1,200 steins, John Rogers' Statuary, music boxes, swords and knives, household antiques, animal horns and trophy heads, musical instruments and World War I posters.
For FY-91, the agency received an increase in appropriations of $72,000. These funds will help to pay general operating expense increases and to catch up on maintenance and equipment needs.
For FY-92, the agency received increased funding of $2,500 to partially fund an authorized $6,000 increase in the Director's salary.
The agency received funds for the statewide pay plans in FY-91 and FY-92 as well as adjustments for other statewide programs relating to adjustments to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System and the state employee health insurance plan.
In FY-93, the agency awarded its employees the full two step salary increase allowed by the pay increase legislation. The one step discretionary increase was made retroactive to July 1, 1992, resulting in salary increases at the maximum allowable increase.
In FY-92, the agency produced a 45 minute cassette guided walking tour for museum visitors and a video showing an 1840's gunsmith building a muzzleloading rifle. Also in FY-92, a model gunstore was built and equipped, with a storekeeper doing a taped narration about the exhibits displayed in the model store, which date back to the 1840's.
The museum makes presentations to visiting school groups. The various wars, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War, are brought to life for the children through hands-on participation in learning how the flint on a flintlock rifle produces a spark which makes the gun fire, etc. Various flags, uniforms and personal items that have been owned by soldiers also help to make history come alive.
In January of each year, the Museum holds three workshops on muzzleloading rifles. At these workshops, expert rifle builders teach students how to take a block of wood and turn it into a work of art. In addition, the museum is brought to the attention of firearms enthusiasts by assisting authors with their research. Some authors have never heard of the museum before, but help to spread the word by giving proper credit to the museum for its help in research.
Due to FY-94 revenue projections being insufficient to cover commitments previously made for other statewide programs, such as education reform (HB 1017), the FY-94 budget of the J.M. Davis Memorial Commission was reduced by 10% of its operations base.
In FY-95, funding was again reduced by 10%. However, an across-the-board employee pay plan was funded for nine months at $800 for each state employee, prorated for the nine months of this fiscal year.