OSAGE NATION

Osage Tribal Museum

"75 Years of Excellence"

Osage Tribal Museum's Official Gift Shop Page

Welcome to the official website of the
Osage Tribal Museum, Library & Archives

The Oldest Tribally-Owned Museum since 1938

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

Closed Sundays, Mondays and Federal Holidays

including Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.

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Recent Allottee Photos new to the board:

#137, 310, 367, 926, 928, 930, 1053, 1303,

1470, 1661, 1664, 1665, 1669, 1672, 1673,

1908, 1909, 1954, 1955, 2036, 2037, 2038,

2083 and 2180

Recent Allottee Photos received:

#895, 938, 1188, 1230, 1288,

1718, 1720, 1721, 1740 and 1801

Only 734 allottees to go!

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Osage Tribal Museum Photo Website

No photos may be reproduced

Recent 'Thank You' Letters

Dear Friends of the Osage Tribal Museum:

Ha'-We ("Hello"), World!!

We're 75 years YOUNG!!! The major events took place on May 3 and 4 (Friday and Saturday), which marked our 75th anniversary (1938-2013) of service, and we look forward to many, many more years. There were so many great programs on the agenda, and for those who attended, we hope you had a terrific time.

Whether you're a movie star or a director of "August: Osage County", or "Twilight" (yes, Chaske Spencer was truly here in November) or a visitor from around the world, or just around the corner here in Pawhuska or in the vicinity, you're cordially invited to visit our museum. We welcome the world, and the admission is free!! (P.S., for those actors and actresses that are camera-shy, we won't take your picture, unless you want us to.)

(c) 2012-2013 Osage Tribal Museum. All rights reserved.
Copying is prohibited.

You told us that you've really enjoyed the exhibits and the guided tours, which we thank you so much, and we will always do our best to continue that tradition.

Many of you have visited here before, and some are discovering us for the first time. Groups are always welcome, and there is no fee for that. Please let us know how many to expect, and we will be there for you!

Tell your friends about the experience of being at the museum. We will keep you advised when the museum may be closed, due to inclement weather or a federal holiday.

Mark the museum's web site to your "favorites"!

If you haven't already noticed, we've added a new feature to the website, "Osage History Time Capsules", which highlight individual dates in history during the current month. Just click above on "Osage Time Capsule - May" above, and it will take you to a new page. Each month, we'll change it to reflect what happened during that particular month.

We're always glad to welcome everyone here at the museum, including all employees of the Osage Nation. Please stop by, especially if you are a new employee, and introduce yourself.

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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 -- not even for tour groups; however, we do keep a bowl, located at the east end of the museum, only if you so desire to make a contribution. The only requests we have is no photo-taking in the museum with your cameras, cellphones, or other devices, and no pets, please. We have photos available for family members to purchase copies.

      Osage Tribal Councilman, John Joseph Mathews, was instrumental in establishing the museum, with the approval of Principal Chief Fred Lookout and the 14th Osage Tribal Council (1934-38), and dedicated on May 2-3, 1938. Miss Lillian Mathews was 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 museum 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 reopened on September 30, 1967. Once again, in 1994, the museum reopened after several months of additional renovations, and in Fall 2008, the museum had several repairs including foundation work and a new drainage system that would carry water away from the building. In April, 2012, we were able to secure a brand new floor in all three sections of the building.

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 three photos, taken by the museum staff's own James Elsberry is the tree on the different anniversaries to see how it has grown.

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

The 2006 Osage Constitution

      The 2006 Osage Constitution is on display in the east room, and we invite all Osage members, shareholders and non-shareholders alike, to be a witness and sign it. 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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