Five Civilized Tribes Museum facts for kids
The Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Oklahoma, is a special place. It shows off the art, history, and culture of five important Native American tribes. These are the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole tribes. The museum is located in an old building called the Union Indian Agency building. It first opened its doors in 1966.
The museum has a huge collection of Native American art. Many pieces are by artists from the Five Civilized Tribes. It also has many original works by Jerome Tiger (Muscogee/Seminole, 1941–1967).
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Museum History
The idea for the museum started with a group called the Da-Co-Tah Indian Club. In 1951, they began working to use the Union Indian Agency building for a local museum. In 1954, they helped pass a law to return the building to the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed this law. The museum officially became a non-profit organization on November 19, 1955. Two years later, Marie L. Wadley (Shawnee/Cherokee) became its first president. The Five Civilized Tribes Museum opened to the public on April 26, 1966.
The Historic Union Indian Agency Building
The Union Indian Agency Building is a very old and important place. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Bureau of Indian Affairs built it in the 1870s. It was made to be the office and home for the leader of the Five Civilized Tribes. Before this, each tribe had its own office. The Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes shared one office.
The name "Five Civilized Tribes" became popular around the time this building opened. The building was used for the superintendent's offices and his family's home.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation once owned the building. They used it as a school and orphanage for Creek Freedmen. In 1909, the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma took ownership. The city then gave it to the United States government in 1944. This was to help with Veterans Hospital facilities. But the building was not used. After World War I, it became a dance hall called “The Chateau.” People came to listen and dance to live music. After World War II, the building became run-down. The city and the Da-Co-Tah Indian Club then worked hard to fix and restore it.
Museum Exhibits
The Da-Co-Tah Indian Club opened the museum on April 16, 1966. Money for fixing the Old Agency Building came from people who donated. No government money was used. Since then, the museum has followed the club's original goals.
The museum helps share the art, culture, and history of the Five Tribes. They offer tours for visitors. Downstairs, you can see changing exhibits about their lives and history. Upstairs, there are many old items mixed with art. This art is either from current art contests or from the museum's own collection.
The museum has a large collection of art by Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole artists. Famous artists like Fred Beaver, Johnny Tiger, and Joan Hill have their work here. It also has the world's largest collection of Jerome Tiger's original art. This includes "Stickballer," his only major sculpture. You can see it on permanent display in the gallery.
The Da-Co-Tah Indian Club
The Da-Co-Tah Indian Club had clear goals. Their rules said they wanted to bring members of different Indian tribes closer. This was for friendship, helping each other, and social events. They also wanted to teach everyone about tribal history and achievements. The club was open to all and not political.
The women who started the club were all of Native American ancestry. They chose the name “Da-co-tah” from the Dakota language. It means “Circle of Friends.” They met twice a month. Their club colors were red and gold. These colors stood for friendship, strong ideas, and hopes for the future. In 1930, the Da-Co-Tah Indian Club became part of a larger group of clubs.
Grant Foreman wrote these words in a letter sent out before the museum opened in 1966: To those pioneer Indians whose courage and fortitude, perseverance and achievement sustained them through travail and disaster and earned for them the name of The Five Civilized Tribes, and who laid the foundation for the State of Oklahoma.
The club did many good things for the community. They donated food, clothes, and shoes to the Murrow Orphanage. They also made sure the children got haircuts. They took the children to the Free State Fair and to see movies. The club raised money to help poor Indian families. They also gave money to the Salvation Army. They helped raise funds for drought relief and for people who were unemployed.
Museum Events
Each year, the museum holds art competitions. Tribal members can enter their paintings, pottery, gourd art, and sculptures. There is also a student art show every year. Students in grades seven through twelve, who are descendants of one of the Five Tribes, can compete.
Every April, the museum hosts Art Under The Oaks. This is an art market held outdoors on the museum grounds. Visitors can buy art directly from the artists. All the artists are members of one of the five tribes. You can also see traditional singing and dancing. In November, the museum hosts the Master's Show. This event features works by Master Artists from the Five Tribes.
Publications
In 1984, the Museum published a cookbook. It was called Pow Wow Chow. The cookbook featured recipes sent in by Native Americans and others.
