I'm ¼ Cherokee. My dad's mom was full Cherokee. Growing up with my heritage, family stories, etc was great but this museum has to be interesting to non-native Americans, or else it will fail. Look at what makes a museum interesting for white people, mummies, fossils, weapons, things that take you back in time like old TVs, furniture, etc. This museum needs things like that or else it will fail and will become a huge money pit that taxpayers must support because of white guilt. Looking at a headdress or traditional dress on a mannequin won't pay the bills.

I'm honestly not sure what you're saying should be include or excluded in the museum based on your post. I can't speak for others, but as a white, non-Native guy, I would prefer to learn about the nations on their terms, as they see fit, not as spectacle or some exotic other. Maybe that's not what you're saying at all, so I'm just sharing what I'm hoping for. We already have one museum in town that does a disservice to Indigenous peoples and nations (National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum). I don't expect we'll get another though.

I'm honestly not sure what you're saying should be include or excluded in the museum based on your post. I can't speak for others, but as a white, non-Native guy, I would prefer to learn about the nations on their terms, as they see fit, not as spectacle or some exotic other. Maybe that's not what you're saying at all, so I'm just sharing what I'm hoping for. We already have one museum in town that does a disservice to Indigenous peoples and nations (National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum). I don't expect we'll get another though.

Ditto.

I'm ¼ Cherokee. My dad's mom was full Cherokee. Growing up with my heritage, family stories, etc was great but this museum has to be interesting to non-native Americans, or else it will fail. Look at what makes a museum interesting for white people, mummies, fossils, weapons, things that take you back in time like old TVs, furniture, etc. This museum needs things like that or else it will fail and will become a huge money pit that taxpayers must support because of white guilt. Looking at a headdress or traditional dress on a mannequin won't pay the bills.

I’ve gone to cultural museums in many countries. It seems like the most popular ones do show artifacts that show how people lived, including dress, food, shelter, transportation, methods of governing, how they defended or attacked others, how they dealt with nature and how they changed in these things through their history. To say that white people just want to see tv stuff is insulting to all those seeking to better understand history and civilizations.

Also, it's really important to show the nation's today. A lot of Oklahomans have been deeply miseducated about Indigenous peoples and nations. I know I was and I've had to unlearn so much. I have a college educated friend who grew up in Norman and seriously said to me, "it's not like Native Americans are still around." He had ingested years of stereotypes of Native Americans as wearing feathers and living in teepees to the point that he thought that's what it meant to be Native. Social studies standards and textbooks basically ignore Indigenous histories after 1890 and—like the crappy End of the Trail statue at NCWHM (the museum had to add a plaque clarifying why the statue is messed up)—treat Indigenous nations as defeated relics of the past, not as surviving and thriving sovereign nations in the present. I've recommended it before, but if you haven't read Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz' (she grew up in Harrah, Oklahoma) An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States here's a free PDF of the entire book (https://www.lcps.org/cms/lib/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/10601/An%20Indigenous%20Peoples%20History%20of%20the%20U nited%20States%20Ortiz.pdf).

Yes, the ignorance of how recent the cruelty was is just astounding. In my lifetime, I remember going as a grade school kid on a field trip to Chilocco Indian School up by Newkirk where tribal youth were TAKEN after being stolen from their families on the reservation and brought to this isolated boarding school where they were to be taught white-man ways and skills. I remember the talk about how they kept them from running away.... like a prison. But then again, discrimination against African Americans was legal in the US until 1964 also. People in the US who are younger than about 60 tend to believe the whitewash they hear because they didn't witness it personally and they seemingly only hear the history written by the dominants.

Unfortunately, the state of Oklahoma has completely failed to be a leader on developing, adopting, and teaching accurate Indigenous social studies curriculum. Instead, states like Washington, Oregon, and Montana have led. There's a lot of quality curriculum being developed by those states, Indigenous social studies scholars, and the National Museum of the American Indian (https://americanindian.si.edu/), but I do not see that curriculum making it's way into enough Oklahoma classrooms.

Maybe l missed it but about when is this planned to open?

Maybe l missed it but about when is this planned to open?

September 2021.

6 months out from opening:

“ Opening Day

September 18, 2021 The 175,000 square foot museum will showcase state-of-the-art exhibitions in First American history, culture, and art; live public and educational programs; a family discovery center with immersive family-friendly activities; a full-service restaurant presenting unique Native inspired cuisine; and a museum store featuring authentic one-of-a-kind hand-made items or products by premiere First American artists.”

- https://www.visitokc.com/listings/first-americans-museum/5158/?utm_campaign=inspire_leisure&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=attraction&utm_term=fam

Pete, do you have new photos of the venue?

That area needs a planting of trees, trees and then more trees!!!

That area needs a planting of trees, trees and then more trees!!!

I agree. Imagine what it would be like now if they would've planted trees within the first few years of starting the project.

Pete, do you have new photos of the venue?

Not much has changed on the outside since my last drone shots.

I'll keep my eyes open for interior progress photos.

Pete, has anything regarding commercial development around the museum moved forward?

Pete, has anything regarding commercial development around the museum moved forward?

No, that is merely conceptual at this point.

We'll see if that changes once the museum opens this fall.

This is from Mayor Holt's Twitter account:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fam043021a.jpg

Imagine the heating and cooling bills here! lol

Imagine the heating and cooling bills here! lol

There's a lot of mitigation with different glasses these days. Some are pretty energy efficient.

There's a lot of mitigation with different glasses these days. Some are pretty energy efficient.

Since you do HVAC (I think) in a space like this, where the upper portion is not used, will the cool air naturally stay near the occupied space in the bottom? Or would they have to spec the system to cool that entire volume? Is it large enough for thermodynamics to keep the cooler air low without having to cool the whole space?

Since you do HVAC (I think) in a space like this, where the upper portion is not used, will the cool air naturally stay near the occupied space in the bottom? Or would they have to spec the system to cool that entire volume? Is it large enough for thermodynamics to keep the cooler air low without having to cool the whole space?

Hotter air will always rise, but a mass of hot air sitting above can be a problem too.... like when heat builds up in your attic. That's why they have attic ventilation. I am sure they have a pretty robust re-circulation and fresh air system.

Hotter air will always rise, but a mass of hot air sitting above can be a problem too.... like when heat builds up in your attic. That's why they have attic ventilation. I am sure they have a pretty robust re-circulation and fresh air system.

Thanks was just curious. I just had AC installed in my house and they spec'd the system to ignore my basement because it doesn't add to the cooling load as much. Wasn't sure if a similar calculation would be used for unused space in such a large vertical area. Thanks.

Thanks was just curious. I just had AC installed in my house and they spec'd the system to ignore my basement because it doesn't add to the cooling load as much. Wasn't sure if a similar calculation would be used for unused space in such a large vertical area. Thanks.

At around 6 ft deep the ground is about the avg temp of the air for the year ...very moderate. Therefore it can not only not add heat, it is usually cooler. Basements have a lot of benefits.

From Tietsort LLC, the glass contractor:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fam051921a.jpg

Pretty !

The Chickasaw Tribe must have big plans for the 100 acres on the museum site since they closed on that property back in 2018. FAM has a $90 million investment with an estimated $25 million - $35 million to finish construction making the total investment up to the $125 million range.

The Chickasaw Nation has agreed to fund its operations against losses for $2 million annually for the first seven years after it opens.

Obviously the Chickasaw Nation has something BIG planned (Non casino) for those 100 acres they closed on in 2018. Can't wait to get bits and pieces for the project. The Tribes has millions invested into completion of the FAM museum.

The Chickasaw Tribe must have big plans for the 100 acres on the museum site since they closed on that property back in 2018. FAM has a $90 million investment with an estimated $25 million - $35 million to finish construction making the total investment up to the $125 million range.

The Chickasaw Nation has agreed to fund its operations against losses for $2 million annually for the first seven years after it opens.

Obviously the Chickasaw Nation has something BIG planned (Non casino) for those 100 acres they closed on in 2018. Can't wait to get bits and pieces for the project. The Tribes has millions invested into completion of the FAM museum.

I have no inside knowledge, but I think the Chickasaw were the biggest driver behind the museum from the start. I think Oklahoma City is vital to their business and their economic impact on OKC is larger than any other tribe. They wanted the FAM in it's current location for that reason. On the flip side, it meant that other tribes didn't want to share in the expenditure at as high a level. I always thought the common belief was that the Chickasaw were going to finish the project at some point, and the only question was how long it would have to sit before they stepped up and closed the deal. They were patient and waited for the overall project to be acceptable to all sides. They might ultimately make a lot of money, but they worked hard and took risk to get there, IMO.

I have no inside knowledge, but I think the Chickasaw were the biggest driver behind the museum from the start. I think Oklahoma City is vital to their business and their economic impact on OKC is larger than any other tribe. They wanted the FAM in it's current location for that reason. On the flip side, it meant that other tribes didn't want to share in the expenditure at as high a level. I always thought the common belief was that the Chickasaw were going to finish the project at some point, and the only question was how long it would have to sit before they stepped up and closed the deal. They were patient and waited for the overall project to be acceptable to all sides. They might ultimately make a lot of money, but they worked hard and took risk to get there, IMO.

they were not a driver of the museum at all .... the state was they also did not pick the location

they were not a driver of the museum at all .... the state was they also did not pick the location

The State dropped the ball on this, PERIOD...

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Best pictures I have seen of the FAM!

I agree. Great shots Pete! Is the land in top left of the first picture still targeted for development?

Wonderful. It's a shame this museum is so disconnected from the main tourist area.

I heard second hand recently it's getting a pedestrian bridge across the river (connecting to trail), apparently before Wheeler's bridge, which was approved earlier. Don't have the first hand info/deets though.

I heard second hand recently it's getting a pedestrian bridge across the river (connecting to trail), apparently before Wheeler's bridge, which was approved earlier. Don't have the first hand info/deets though.

This would definitely help the museum with tourists; also the 100 acres promised to the Chickasaw Tribe for finishing the museum will of interest once the Tribe decides what they want to do with that land.

Will the city be able to help with infrastructure once the Tribe decides what they want to do with the land or has that already been determined...

BTW, anything anyone would like to suggest or predict what those 100 acres will be developed into.

The city should work to extend American Indian BLVD to to High St. and then extend the I-35 service roads north. That would go a long ways for better connectivity.

The city should work to extend American Indian BLVD to to High St. and then extend the I-35 service roads north. That would go a long ways for better connectivity.

16952

I agree that it makes some sense to do it for northbound, but I think southbound would be tough because of the railroad.

Also not sure how future plans for this land would be impacted by such a thing.

They’d have to dig a trench under the railroad. It would be nice to see that maintenance yard moved somewhere so that property could be opened up for development.

You know what it's been like working with the railroad so........

very nice how this turned out.

ONLY wish would be if it were oriented slightly different so the hill is behind the building so that one could be up on the hill with views of the museum in front of downtown. Nevertheless, kudos to OKC and the Chickasaws for taking this on and making what LOOKS to be a world class museum! Now OKC - get to promoting it along with the Western Heritage Museum as OKC's two world class premium features.

I saw something showing how the mound is like stonehenge in that the setting sun aligns with certain parts at the equinoxes etc, when the observer is at a certain spot (can't remember where I saw it) so not sure if it could be re-arranged and still have that effect

https://famok.org/fam-volunteer-docent-form/?fbclid=IwAR0HHrEkvvGNjTeJaQVYhLYIBSowH9nu_n_zmG--xavPW-ELvQADa-BYzj0

Opening in September and looking for volunteers.

Tickets go on sale august 1st for its September 18th grand opening:

https://famok.org/

Is the expansion of the south river trail from I 35 to the Museum and Eagle trail in the work ? It would make sense as it is just one block, I think.

It's on an agenda somewhere but not sure when

I cannot find any evidence of any current movement, but there are preliminary plans. The trail is referred to as the Oklahoma Greenway Trail and extends east from I-35 to Eastern, then north over the river, then west along I-40, under I-35 and around the boathouse district where it terminates at Lincoln and the Oklahoma River.

Is the expansion of the south river trail from I 35 to the Museum and Eagle trail in the work ? It would make sense as it is just one block, I think.

Yes.

I've been meaning to post these for some time:

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Thanks! Recommend posting in one of the bike trail threads as well

Tickets go on sale august 1st for its September 18th grand opening:

https://famok.org/

Going on Sept. 19th and really looking forward to it. Would have reserved the 18th, but football you know. ;)

I’m probably going to wait a bit and hope the crowds die down.

I’m probably going to wait a bit and hope the crowds die down.
I'm sure it will be crowded but I couldn't resist that $5 bargain price. I can always go back again later if it's so crowded that I miss something I want to see. It does mention that there will be no parking at the museum and a shuttle will be used to get there from another location.

Watching that video on the FAM home page made me realize they need a huge infusion of trees down there!!!

Watching that video on the FAM home page made me realize they need a huge infusion of trees down there!!!
Yep.

Update from News9:

https://www.news9.com/story/612d68481d84c60bef6d6af8/first-americans-museum-in-se-okc-gives-news-9-an-exclusive-tour-ahead-of-its-opening-weekend

I just took a tour and will later post dozens of photos.

Super impressive and I can see how this could become a national draw; more so than the Cowboy Hall.

The Native American presence, history and culture are one of the few things that make Oklahoma unique.

I just took a tour and will later post dozens of photos.

Super impressive and I can see how this could become a national draw; more so than the Cowboy Hall.

The Native American presence, history and culture are one of the few things that make Oklahoma unique.

Curious if it is mostly Oklahoma and Chickasaw oriented or does it cover other tribes?

Curious if it is mostly Oklahoma and Chickasaw oriented or does it cover other tribes?

It will be focused on the 39 tribes that have their seat of government in Oklahoma.

^

Yes, and they have gone to great lengths to not only include all the tribes, but get their input on all matters.

Think about how complicated it has been to try and please them all. From what I saw, they've done an amazing job.

I have tickets for the grand opening weekend. I remember touring the construction site in…2008. Crazy how long it has taken but glad to see it finished.

Preview of the First Americans Museum (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=740-Preview-of-the-First-Americans-Museum)

After almost two decades of planning and construction, the elaborate First Americans Museum will be opening on September 18th.

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Press release:

*************

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 22, 2021) - The First Americans Museum (FAM) will officially open its doors to the public Sept. 18-19 for a Grand Opening Weekend celebration full of entertainment, cultural demonstrations and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Tickets go on sale Sunday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. for $5 per person, per day and can be purchased exclusively through the museum’s website. Admission for FAM members and children under 3 is free. Due to expected large crowds, all tickets must be purchased in advance of opening weekend.

“We are thrilled to share with the public a premier venue dedicated to the history, art and cultural lifeways of First Americans in Oklahoma. We invite everyone to the long-awaited opening of FAM in September,” said James Pepper Henry, FAM director and CEO. “Those who attend the Grand Opening will be among the first to experience a national treasure that will be enjoyed for decades to come.”

The museum will open at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, with a tribal procession of 39 distinct tribal nations taking place at 10:30 a.m., followed by remarks from tribal, city and museum leaders. To view a complete list of Grand Opening Weekend entertainment, activities, shopping and dining options, visit famok.org.

During Grand Opening Weekend only, no onsite parking will be available, except for parking provided for visitors with disability parking placard credentials. FAM is finalizing details for offsite paid parking and will provide updates on the museum’s website as more information becomes available. Free parking shuttle services will be available to transport visitors all weekend to and from designated parking sites, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, and running throughout the weekend’s scheduled events. The use of rideshare services is strongly encouraged.

To ensure everyone's safety and enjoyment, FAM is following CDC COVID-19 guidelines for large group events. The museum's campus will operate with timed entry tickets to ensure visitors have ample space to observe social distancing. Due to observance of health and safety protocols regarding capacity in enclosed spaces, access to FAM exhibition galleries may be limited on opening weekend. FAM encourages visitors to return on a future date to explore the extensive exhibit galleries.

FAM is committed to providing universal access to our museum’s campus and all events. Please contact FAM to request additional disability accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

###

About FAM
First Americans Museum celebrates our shared American history through the collective stories of 39 distinct tribal nations in Oklahoma today. The museum promotes awareness and educates the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, contributions, and resilience of the First American nations. The 175,000 sqft museum is located at 659 First Americans Boulevard in Oklahoma City.

Stunning! What a fantastic addition to Oklahoma City. Looking forward to visiting in person someday.