In 1917, Jim Thorpe bought a small home in Yale, Oklahoma and lived there until 1923 with his wife, Iva Miller, and children, one of whom, Jim Jr., died at the age of two. The house was bought by the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1968 and is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The house is maintained by the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation as a small museum to Thorpe and contains related memorabilia.Virtual Tour the Jim Thorpe Home

Jim Thorpe contributed in many ways to history and society through sports. The JTMF envisions its future projects use of technology will teach young and old how the power of sports brings people not only closer together by break down social and economic barriers such as racism and poverty.

JTMF values its working relationship with the local community of Yale, tribal and state government, and the larger national and world communities.

Recently, the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation reached out to the Yale High School athletic department in hopes to introduce a new award the "Jim Thorpe Defensive Player of the Year Award". This award will be given annually to a Yale high school football player who has excelled in the four areas: Scholarship, Sportsmanship, Leadership, and Citizenship. We share a common belief with many that the sport of football teaches young men the very fundamentals that inspire the growth of our future leaders.