Oklahoma Historical Society announces sale of Jim Thorpe home

OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Historical Society sold the Jim Thorpe Home in Yale to the Thorpe Family Foundation on Friday, July 25.

Thorpe, who is considered one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, bought the home in 1917 and lived there until 1923.

The OHS has owned the Jim Thorpe Home since 1968. Over the years, the funding and resources to operate the home have dwindled, and deferred maintenance issues have grown. Since 2005, the site has been an OHS affiliate site. The OHS continued to own the home and property while the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation provided staffing and covered other daily operational expenses with some financial assistance from the OHS.

In 2023, Thorpe’s grandchildren took a renewed interest in the home. On July 25, the two parties signed paperwork to officially sell the Jim Thorpe Home to the foundation.

The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org .

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