OCTA Membership

OCTA is an organization dedicated to the preservation, appreciation, and enjoyment of all the Trans-Mississippi migration trails to the West - the trails that made the United States an ocean-to-ocean nation.

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Member Benefits

Overland Journal is OCTA's quarterly magazine which contains articles and book reviews concerning historic trails.

News from the Plains is OCTA's quarterly newsletter, which contains information about the activities of OCTA national, OCTA chapters, and OCTA members.

Local Chapters sponsor field trips and other activities to preserve and learn about the trails in their regions. Join OCTA and then join one of these local chapters.

Time Travelers is a program in which OCTA participates that allows OCTA members to receive a variety of special benefits, such as free admission or gift shop discounts when they visit Time Travelers affiliates. There are 185 museums and historic sites in 45 states that participate in the program. See a complete list of participating institutions.

When you join OCTA, you will receive free access to Paper Trail, the website based on a searchable index of 19th Century westward American migration documents. (www.paper-trail.org)

Membership Levels*

Emigrant - $45/year

• Basic membership for individuals
• Receive the Overland Journal, OCTA's quarterly scholarly journal, and News From the Plains, OCTA's quarterly newsletter
• 5% discount on all OCTA merchandise
• One vote in OCTA's annual election
• The opportunity to join a local chapter
• Access to a members-only section of OCTA's website
• An invitation to OCTA's annual convention

Pioneer - $60/year

• Basic membership for families
• Pioneers receive the same benefits as the Emigrant level, but get two votes in OCTA's annual elections

Trail Patron - $125/year

Formerly the Supporting level, Trail Patrons receive the same benefits as the Pioneers level, plus a 10% discount on all OCTA merchandise.

Merrill J. Mattes Society - $250/year

Formerly the Patron level, this prestigious society is named for the former Superintendent of Scotts Bluff National Monument, Platte River Road historian, and a founding member of OCTA. Members of this society receive the same benefits as the Trail Patron. They also receive:

• A 15% discount on all OCTA merchandise
• Two free publications from selected stock (OCTA publications only)
• A Merrill J. Mattes lapel pin signifying their willingness to help sustain Mr. Mattes' vision

Institutional (Libraries, Museums, Trail Centers, etc.) - $300/year

Designed especially for our friends who also support and promote overland emigrant trails, the Institutional level receives the same basic benefits plus:

• A plaque signifying their membership in OCTA
• A 15% discount on all OCTA merchandise
• One free quarter-page ad in OCTA's two prestigious quarterly publications, the Overland Journal and News From the Plains

Ezra Meeker Life Member - $1000

Formerly the Life Member category, this membership level is named for Oregon Territory pioneer Ezra Meeker, who followed the Oregon Trail in 1852 with his young wife and infant son. In 1906-07, Meeker single-handedly led the first effort to gain historic status for these emigrant roads when he retraced his route in reverse with a team of oxen and a covered wagon. He retraced the trail later by rail, auto and, during the final year of his life in 1924, by air. Life members receive all of the benefits listed above as well as:

• A plaque signifying their willingness to help sustain Meeker's vision
• An Ezra Meeker Life Member lapel pin
• A permanent 15% discount on all OCTA merchandise

Corporate Member - $1,250

OCTA relies heavily on the kindness of corporate friends and has established a unique opportunity for the business community to show their solidarity with trail preservation efforts. Corporate members receive:

• The Overland Journal, OCTA's quarterly scholarly journal, and News From the Plains, OCTA's quarterly newsletter
• A 15% discount on all OCTA merchandise
• Two free half-page ads in OCTA's two quarterly publications
• Free links back to their corporate website on OCTA's homepage during the duration of their membership.

College Student - $20

This level is designed especially for undergraduate and graduate students. Members at this level receive the same benefits as the Emigrant level.

Educator - $45

This level is designed especially for teachers in elementary, junior and high schools. Members at this level receive the same benefits as the Emigrant level, a set of “Junior Friend of OCTA,” the opportunity to submit articles to a new “Students Only” newsletter, and access to a special education section on the OCTA website.

*Once you have become a member of the national organization, you may also join the Colorado-Cherokee Trail Chapter.

Chapter dues are payable through the national office:

Annual membership: $10

Life membership: $200