The museum began this ambitious collection in 1999.  These photograph copies are from the museum collection, the Frances Holding Collection, and individual photographs brought in by family members.  The goal is to have a photograph of each of the 2,229 original allottees and have it safely stored, and yet, accessible to the Osage people.  At this time, we've reached 60% of our goal (approximately 900 allottee photos are still needed to complete the set).  The museum staff is always actively seeking images that are not yet in their collection.  A couple of ways this will be done is to advertise and visit institutions and individuals with Osage photos.  

 

The museum staff has continued to make copies of photographs for family members, which is a time-consuming process, and there is a small fee for this service.  There will be a list of everyone in the collection so that it is easy for family members to see if there are photos available of their ancestors.

 

 

 

“The Osage Timeline”

 

The museum's newest exhibit tells of our existence from at least 650 A.D. through today.  As this is a living document, our goal is to show where we have been, and document as many years of the Osage history as possible.  The museum staff began this project in Fall, 2004.  As the new Strategic Planning department took shape, the history of our nation was discussed with many members of the tribe who came to the town hall meetings in late 2006 and early 2007.  Once the official reports came back to the museum, the staff researched and confirmed the dates.  As time goes by, so grows "The Osage Timeline".  This will be one of two traveling exhibits going to other museums across the United States.

 

Part of the "Timeline" photos are from our "By the Osage People" exhibit, which the museum began in Summer, 2006.  This allows family members, who have taken photos of current or previous I'Lon-Schka dances, to share them with us and visitors from around the world.

Original Paintings

 

This, truly, is one of our most unique features of the museum, and that is the high quality of the oil paintings that are housed in this hallowed place.  Some paintings are for sale, so we want you to come visit us to check them out closely and enjoy them.  Many are of the past Osage leaders and of well-known members of the Osage Nation.  Just some of the artists works featured for sale are by R. A. Red Corn, Gina Gray and Joe Don Brave, for whom we are truly grateful to share their gifts and talents with the world.

 

 

Osage Tribal Princesses Exhibit

 

A section is dedicated to photos of our present and past Osage princesses, all who have served, and still serve our Osage Nation proudly. 

 

Here's a little trivia for you.  Are you aware that two former Osage Princesses currently hold positions in both the new Congress and Minerals Council?  They are Jerri Jean Branstetter and Kathryn Red Corn.

 

As always, any donated material becomes the property of the Osage Tribal Museum.  Please call us at (918) 287-5441 with any questions.

After most elections, have you ever wondered what happens to all of the remaining election material for those who ran for all of the offices available?  Of course, the Osage Tribal Museum has the answer for that. 

The museum collected all but one platform letter and acquired extra materials from the 2006 Congressional, Executive and Minerals Candidates election, and are now filed away.  We continue to solicit your assistance in locating and donating any extra Osage political campaign literature, no matter how long ago it was.  This is extremely important in the history of our tribe, to keep this material on file, as there is valuable family information. 

The museum has most of the campaign materials since 1990, one 1974 campaign letter and one from the 1940s.  Therefore, check your attic, basement or past files if you or any of your relatives or friends ran for any office, or if you saved campaign literature that was mailed to you over these many years.  In most cases, one of each item would be terrific, and would love to have the original copy/copies, with permission.