Clara Luper
Civil Rights Center
The Clara Luper Civil Rights Center (CLCRC) was created to commemorate the legacy of Clara Luper and highlight the role Oklahoma City played in the wider struggle for Civil Rights.
Through exhibits, programming, and thoughtful interpretive experiences we will tell the story of Oklahoma’s civil rights history to honor the past, enlighten visitors today, and empower the next generation of leadership.
CLCRC Site Plan
A Campus Connected by History
Spanning two and a half blocks along Martin Luther King Ave., the historic Freedom Center building and new construction facility will be connected by landscaping and outdoor storytelling elements to create a pedestrian friendly campus just south of the Adventure District.
JOURNEY to the Clara luper civil rights center
December 2019
MAPS 4 Approved
Oklahoma City voters approved the MAPS 4 initiative, dedicating $25 million to establish the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center.
August 2022
Freedom Center Named Operator
The Freedom Center of Oklahoma City was selected to operate the future Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, leading its vision, programming, and visitor experience.
October 2023
Community-Led Design
Design began with public listening sessions led by Atelier Cory Henry and Bockus Payne, ensuring the Center reflects the voices and stories of Oklahoma’s Civil Rights Movement.
JUNE 2025
Exhibit Design
Gallagher & Associates (G&A) began creating immersive exhibitions that bring Oklahoma’s civil rights history to life.
April 2026
Design Approved
The final architectural design received approval from City Council, marking a major milestone toward construction.
June 2026
General Contractor Selected
Crossland Construction was selected to build the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center.
July 2026
Groundbreaking
Community leaders, partners, and supporters celebrated the official groundbreaking of the Center.
2026-2028
Construction Phase
Construction is underway as the vision for the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center becomes a reality.
Planned 2028
GRAND OPENING
The Clara Luper Civil Rights Center is expected to open in 2028, welcoming visitors to explore Oklahoma’s civil rights story and its lasting impact.
BUILDING AT A GLANCE
The 17,694-square-foot Clara Luper Civil Rights Center is thoughtfully designed to serve as a community gathering place featuring:
• Three permanent exhibition galleries
• Two flexible classrooms
• Two event spaces
• Catering kitchen
• Board room
• Administrative suite
Three permanent exhibition galleries
Two flexible classrooms
Two event spaces
Catering kitchen
Board room
Administrative suite
Where Oklahoma's Civil Rights Story Comes to Life
The inaugural exhibition will immerse visitors in the story of Clara Luper, the Oklahoma City sit-in movement, and the broader struggle for civil rights in Oklahoma and beyond. Through multimedia experiences, personal stories, historic artifacts, and interactive installations, visitors will discover how ordinary people created extraordinary change—and be inspired to continue that legacy today.
More than an exhibition, the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center is being designed as a place where history informs action, encouraging every visitor to become an active participant in building a more just future.
PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP
What is MAPS4?
MAPS 4 is Oklahoma City’s debt-free public improvement program funded through a temporary one-cent sales tax approved by voters in December 2019. The initiative will invest nearly $1.1 billion into projects that strengthen neighborhoods, improve quality of life, create jobs, and expand community resources.
The Clara Luper Civil Rights Center is one of the signature MAPS 4 projects, receiving a $25 million investment to create a world-class destination dedicated to preserving and sharing Oklahoma’s civil rights legacy.
SUPPORT THE VISION
The Clara Luper Civil Rights Center is more than a building—it's an investment in preserving history, inspiring leadership, and educating future generations.
Donate today and help build a lasting legacy.