MidFirst Bank Sponsors Smithsonian Exhibition Marking America's 250th Anniversary

Oklahoma's American mastodon tooth among 600+ rare specimens in the National Museum of Natural History’s "From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage"

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MidFirst Bank is proud to be a sponsor of "From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage," a new exhibition opening June 18 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Stretching across 5,000 square feet, the exhibition brings together more than 600 specimens and cultural objects — many rare and never before exhibited — from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories, celebrating the breadth of America's natural and cultural heritage through December 2029.

Drawing from the museum's collection of more than 148 million objects, "From These Lands" is a fitting celebration of America’s 250^th Anniversary, showcasing the extraordinary range of American nature, geology and cultural traditions and connecting visitors to an even deeper history of this remarkable land. Rarely seen specimens bring America's story to life — from a brilliant blue gemstone from California rarer than gold to a Northern bobwhite collected by a young Theodore Roosevelt in New York. Oklahoma is represented in the exhibition by an American mastodon tooth, a rare fossil specimen that visitors can touch; Oklahoma’s state flying mammal, the Mexican free-tailed bat; and its state bird, a Scissor-tailed flycatcher. These objects provide a unique sampling of the state’s natural history.

“From Oklahoma’s mastodons to ancient fossils and geological wonders, “From These Lands” is a unique opportunity to celebrate the exceptional range of our nation’s natural history,” said Jeff Records, Chairman of MidFirst Bank. “MidFirst values the Smithsonian’s dedication to making cultural and educational experiences accessible to all Americans and visitors from abroad.”

“We are grateful to MidFirst for its generous support of the exhibit,“ said Kirk Johnson, the Sant Director of the National Museum of Natural History “‘From These Lands’ presents an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our landscapes, the depth of our history and the connections that link people and the natural world across borders. Sponsors like MidFirst help make it possible for our four million annual visitors to participate in the nation’s 250^th anniversary.”

About MidFirst Bank

With over $42 billion in assets, Oklahoma City-based MidFirst Bank is the largest privately owned bank in the United States. MidFirst operates banking locations in Oklahoma, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah, and provides commercial lending, wealth management, private banking and mortgage servicing nationwide.

MidFirst demonstrates a strong commitment to community investment through philanthropy, volunteerism and partnerships with organizations that advance healthcare, education, and civic development. For more information on MidFirst Bank visit midfirst.com.

About the National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History is connecting people everywhere with Earth’s unfolding story. It is one of the most visited natural history museums in the world. Opened in 1910, the museum is dedicated to maintaining and preserving the world’s most extensive collection of natural history specimens and human artifacts. The museum is open daily, except Dec. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit the museum on its website, blog, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.