Five Civilized Tribes Museum

Located in Muskogee, Oklahoma

Scope of Work

CAP Assessment

 Berggren Architects performed a CAP Assessment (Collections Assessment for Preservation) for the Five Civilized Tribes Museum.

Project Completion

2011

This project was completed in 2011.

The History

Built in 1875.

The building was constructed in 1875.

Location

Muskogee, Oklahoma

The Five Civilized Tribes Museum is located in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

CAP Assessment

Five Civilized Tribes Museum

In 2011, Berggren Architects partnered with a professional conservator to perform a Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) for the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The museum is housed within the Union Agency Building, a structure which originally served as the seat of government for the “Five Civilized Tribes.” This term refers to the American Indian nations of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole. Since the building’s government services moved to a new location in the early 1880s, the building has been home to many services including a Baptist mission, an orphan’s school, and a park. It was reclaimed and repurposed as the current museum by the Da-Co-Tah Indian Club in 1954, and the museum first opened its doors in 1966. It features exhibitions on the lives and culture of the five nations, including important artwork by artists such as Jerome Tiger, Solomon McCombs, Fred Beaver, Joan Hill, and more.

Berggren Architects worked with conservator Mayda Jensen to put together the report for the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. In our report, we identified many urgent tasks to be completed for both the main museum structure and an additional metal storage building. We recommended solutions for issues of fire egress, lighting redesign, roof and site drainage, and exterior masonry restoration.