OSAGE NATION

Welcome to the official website of the
Osage Tribal Museum

Our Mission Statement: “To educate the public about the history, customs and traditions of the Osage people; Keep activities and exhibits current and make the museum experience a truly pleasant one for all ages.”

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Print one of our brochures! (.pdf)

* Visitors for November 11 - 15*

'Thank You' Letters

Osage Time Capsule - November

The Osage Tribal Museum is open
Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Closed Sundays, Mondays and Federal Holidays (including November 27 - 28 for Thanksgiving).

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Dear Friends of the Osage Tribal Museum:

Yes, it's already that time to start thinking about what your plans are for Saturday, December 13. Why, you ask? Because it's our 8th Annual Christmas Tree Auction, Home Tour and Dinner, and it's returning to Pawhuska this year!! We've got some wonderful homes in the process of preparing for that evening, plus a dinner "to live for". Both the auction and the dinner will be held at the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center, located next to the ALCO Department Store, on Highway 60, the west edge of Pawhuska.

Tickets will go on sale soon, so don't miss your opportunity to bid on a beautifully decorated Christmas tree by one (or more) of our talented decorators.

We thank everyone who came out to the Osage Tribal Museum, as we proudly presented author Genevieve Simermeyer and Christopher Cote for the book signing of "Meet Christopher", Friday, October 24, between 11 am - 1 pm. After a discussion and questions from the audience, regarding the book, there was an autograph session, and refreshments were served.

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ARCHIVED MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS

WELCOME TO THE

OSAGE TRIBAL MUSEUM!

The Osage Tribal Museum, known as the "oldest tribally-owned museum in the United States since 1938", is located on the Osage Nation Campus in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, USA, 819 Grandview Avenue, and open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We are closed on major federal holidays.

There is no admissions charge; however, we do keep a bowl in the east end of the museum, only if you so desire to make a contribution. The only request we have is no photo-taking in the museum with your camera, please. We have books, a live in-concert DVD, a DVD of the June 5, 2006 election for sale, and photos are available for family members to purchase copies.

The Osage Tribal Museum building was originally constructed in 1872 as a chapel schoolhouse and dormitory. Osage Tribal Councilman, John Joseph Mathews, was instrumental in establishing the museum, with the approval of Chief Fred Lookout and the 14th Osage Tribal Council (1934-38), and dedicated on May 2-3, 1938. Miss Lillian Mathews was appointed as the

museum's first curator.

The museum's collection of over 6,000 objects began with the Tribal Council's purchase of the John L. Bird collection in 1923. Since then, many Osage families have donated objects and photographs to help the collection grow. The adaptive reuse of the building to a museum was funded as a Public Works Administration (WPA) project and carried out by the CCC. At the time of its opening in 1938, it was the only museum in the world owned by an American Indian tribe. After a year of expansion and remodeling funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Museum was reopened on September 30, 1967. On October 15, 1987, it gained added recognition by being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once again, in 1994, the museum reopened after several months of additional renovations.

THE BUILDING

The Osage Tribal Museum, originally constructed in 1872, is housed in a building finished with native Oklahoma sandstone. Originally used as a chapel, school and dormitory as a two-story structure with an auditorium, it was remodeled in 1937 as a one-story building and museum. Each stone was carefully removed and put back. The building's cupola was retained and is a distinguishing feature of the edifice. Today, the museum consists of two exhibition galleries and a collections/office area. Both galleries are also user-friendly for the physically handicapped.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

The museum would not be the same, were it not for our wonderful volunteers who come in to help us. These volunteers are known to us as the "Sage of the Osage", and are very valuable with their talents and knowledge of our history and culture.

OUR WEBSITE PHOTO GALLERIES

Click on to the "Photos" section, where, in the Second Million Dollar Elm (click here) shows the planting of the tree, almost in the exact spot of where the original "Million Dollar Elm" existed for many, many years. The planting took almost 35 minutes (10:30-11:05 am) on June 29, 2006. Harrison Shackelford, Maintenance Director, and his able-bodied crew took on the task, and with the help of over 200 gallons of water, and other nutrients, set the tree up in great shape, and looks terrific. The final two photos, taken by the museum staff's own James Elsberry is the tree, one and two years later on June 29, 2007 and June 29, 2008, respectively.

Also, check out the newest set of photos where Sgt. Paul Jump, of Camp Bucca Chapel, in Iraq, raises and flies our Osage Nation flag proudly. God Bless all of our service people!

"The Osage Timeline"

This is a project that has been in the works for over a year, now, and the large edition is currently located in the east wing of the museum. As this is a living timeline, it may be edited/corrected or added to. Therefore, we call upon our Osage members and scholars to help bridge the gap on several years that are missing, and bring as many references for verification.

The 2006 Osage Constitution

The 2006 Osage Constitution is on display in the east room of the museum, and we invite all Osage members, shareholders and non-shareholders alike, to be a witness and sign the Constitution. This opportunity is available Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 - 5:00 pm. This includes all family members of Osage descent, and of all ages.

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