Five Civilized Tribes Museum

A great little museum in a building on the National Registry that highlights the history and heritage of the five main tribes that were forcibly moved to Oklahoma in the 1800s. You will get the story of the forced removal to Oklahoma. Learn a bit about the daily life of a native American. there is an art gallery filled with Native artists works. There is even a small research room. Also, the gift shop has a wide array of things to check out. Original art as well as books that might be hard to find specific to the highlighted tribes of the museum. The cost is reasonable and military discounts are available. Plan on spending at least an hour. Worth the stop.

The history in this museum was rich, detailed, interesting, and eye catching. It kept the attention of my 10-year-old. It is perched atop a massive hill. We could really imagine Native Americans and settlers traveling through the area, seeing the huge stone building overlooking the entire area below.

We loved the fascinating artifacts, and the well-laid-out displays. We left feeling like we knew the Native cultures better than before. Some of the history was saddening, but it's important to be educated on the sad history, too, so we don't repeat the mistakes of the past.

The people working there were also nice. One of the men gave us extra info, and helped me get started tracking down my husband's Native American family history.

The art gallery and book collection upstairs are a must-see! Also, be sure to ask the employees to tell you about the artifacts outside, like the stone pillar that is carved with mysterious drawings.

Interesting & informative. Wonderful staff. Small museum but so much history. Well worth seeing.

In terms of knowledge provided and helpful staff, I give this museum five stars. I learned so much -albeit somewhat painful to come to grips with. An awareness was awakened. Not many bells and whistles, though. So young visitors of this museum may find all the information a bit overwhelming.

The Five Civilized Tribes Museum is an overlooked jewel. Most Muskogee residents have never been there. It is housed in a building built by the US Government as the headquarters of the Union Indian Agency. "Union" meaning that it centralized the Bureau of Indian Affairs administration of all "Five Civilized Tribes". Built in the 1870's, the building alone is worth seeing. They have a great art collection. Outstanding, by small city standards. You'll find important works by most of the important Native Artists of the last century, and by contemporary artists. But the real treasure you will find there are Artifacts of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears that it caused. Letters from missionaries who did not have to endure the trail but did so rather than desert their congregation. Everyday objects carved while interned in the miserable concentration camps as those to be removed were rounded up. But out of tragic circumstances and deplorable treatment come stories that reaffirm your faith in humanity and our capacity to love. A hidden treasure.

There was a mixed media art competition on display in the gallery upstairs. I wish I spent more time studying the information in the displays. Lots to learn and absorb.

Interesting to learn the history of the native Americans in the area. Their art work is wonderful

Traveling with the Tulsa Creek indian community center today. Eight of us traveled to Honey Creek battlefield near Checota, OK. From there we drove back to Muskogee to Three Rivers Museum in downtown Muskogee. It was nice, a lot larger than it looked from the outside. Mostly early Muskogee artifacts plus a lot of Indian heritage arts and lore.
Then on to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum near Honor Heights Park, by the Veterans Hospital. This was the one we came to see. It was filled with Five Civilized Tribes relics and artifacts on the 1st floor with a few pieces of art. Then we went to the 2nd floor.
There was a art exhibit to see and paintings by well known artists and some by contemporary artists. It was great. If you're interested in Oklahoma Indian history, this is one of the places you should visit.
It was a good day for 8 seventy and eighty year old youngsters. We all loved it.

I love to be able to visit museums like this. The old saying, "the truth hurts" is accurate. If seeing the history of a people so abused doesn't make you sad and think, "yes think" about how you hope and pray it will never happen again, then your heart is cold. Thank you Muskogee community for making this available to all of us!

The 5 Civilzed Tribes Museum is a great place to learn about the 5 Tribes Cherokee Chickasaw Choctaw Creek and Seminole This is a wonderful piece of our history highly recommend

Great insight into the art, lives and stories of the Five Tribes. Beauty and heartache are represented in this history.

Wonderful art and a beautiful historic building! This is a great place to learn more about the Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole tribes.

Although this is not a large museum, the artifacts and art displays are well worth a quick stop. I especially enjoyed the video that presented a good overall historical summary. Even the building itself has a past to tell. A great way to spend a few hours for very little money!

Beautiful and quiet space that offers deep reflection on the struggles of the five tribes but also the celebration of the survival and ingenuity of the tribes. As a Cherokee and settler two spirit person I felt welcomed and safe. Beautiful spot way up on the hill too!

Smaller museum. They lock the gates at closing so make sure your car is out. They waited for me as I had been walking on the exterior tour, so very thankful for them staying a couple extra minutes. Bonus, super cool trail at the rear of the grounds with rustic sandstone steps into the park! Don’t miss it!!!!

Extremely well done!! Staff and Executive Director very helpful and informative!! A recommended must see!!

Very nice, informative museum. Not too big, so it wasn't overwhelming. Lots of interesting displays. I enjoyed the art upstairs; I think that exhibit changes. The small gift shop had lots of cool items for sale in it

Invaluable resource for preserving the past and advancing the cultures of five important tribes into the future. It’s hard to explain removal and boarding schools to my kids sitting cozy in Florida. Being here on the land, surrounded by the artifacts and maps—as well as seeing contemporary artists grapple with memory and Native life today—made it a lot easier to pass on this knowledge. The nice lady welcoming them as Native children was especially meaningful. I doubt they’ll ever forget it.

It’s a nice little collection. We could have spent more time (probably max 90 min) but a quick 30 min trip through what caught their 8 year old eyes was perfect. Picked up a nice print in the gift shop too! This place deserves support and lots of visitors.

Simply amazing, history brought alive, employees are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Lots of fantastic advice as to what else to visit and see. Highly recommend.

The clerk was very knowledgeable and you can tell she loves her job. They have many artifacts. Very interesting museum.