First Americans Museum
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The First Americans Museum is a living institution that acts as a home for First Americans, and welcomes non-Natives as guests. It offers a variety of unique spaces and state-of-the-art resources, including permanent and changing exhibits, theaters, classrooms, and a community resource center.
RAA has been involved in the development and design of the First Americans Museum for over two decades. In developing the interpretive program for the Museum, RAA and Museum staff held extensive meetings with representatives from 39 tribal nations based in Oklahoma.
RAA was asked to create an experience that privileges the multiplicity of First American voices. These convey an ancient—yet very contemporary—story, with the purpose of generating awareness, sharing knowledge, sustaining traditions, honoring ancestors and celebrating these diverse and thriving cultures.
In the South Wing of the complex, a blend of interactive media, text, graphics and film provides for visitors an encounter with the history of Oklahoma tribal communities through tribal and personal stories. Also within the South Wing, WINIKO; Life of an Object is a 10-year exhibition developed in conjunction with the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Through this exhibition, visitors view objects from the NMAI collection that were created and/or owned by members of the Oklahoma tribal communities.
The Museum is recognized as a culturally groundbreaking institution. Many of the objects on display are returning to Oklahoma for the first time since their collection in the early 20th century. As part of the exhibit’s development process, reunions between objects and descendants of the creators and/or owners were facilitated by the First Americans Museum.
Size 50,000 square feet
Year 2021
Architect Hornbeek Blatt Architects
Project Details
AV Systems DesignBBI Engineering, Inc.
Lighting DesignTechnical Artistry
AcousticsVeneklasen Associates
AwardsiF Design Award: Winner, Interior ArchitectureIndigo Design Award: Gold, Integrated Graphic DesignGOOD DESIGN® Award: Winner, EnvironmentMUSE Design Awards: Gold, InteriorIndustrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), International Design Excellence Award (IDEA): Finalist, EnvironmentsGraphis Design Annual: Silver, ExhibitArchitecture MasterPrize: Honorable Mention, Interior Design/Exhibition
Photography Chuck Choi
“A wonderful resource that honors and describes First Americans culture and history through art, multimedia, and artifacts.”
—Annette T.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve walked out of museum truly inspired by their curation.”
@theboujiehistorian
“I’m so grateful my ancestry is Cherokee on this bright day.”
@brentallenoutside
“Teaching my little man the importance of culture and knowing where you came from.”
@ericarenee2088
“Our art and our history is medicine.”
@joya.gulia
“Traveling through time, one exhibit at a time.”
@marshamartinez_
“Stunning but somber.”
@airchivesloan
“Thankful to tour the gorgeous and heartbreaking indigenous stories & material culture within Oklahoma’s new First Americans Museum.”
@kellycrowwsj
“I learned so much and was so moved by this place. It affected me like no other museum has before.”
—Daniel M.
“It pulls no punches. It tells history the way it should be taught everywhere.”
—Jeremy H.
“So much history here, filled with sadness, hope and perseverance!”
—Josh W.
“What a beautiful and loving tribute to the tribes.”
—Leanna C.
“Beyond getting deeply educated in the history of this country, the museum managed to also make me feel the pain … to hear the stories was heartbreaking.”
—Nelida S.
“Each turn opened my eyes and ears to enlightenment.”
—Reuben R.
“There’s not a single inch in this place that isn’t very interesting.”
—Rosalba H.
“Beautifully presented and an eye-opening look at the past and present.”
—Shannon S.
“It was a privilege to experience. We need more museums like this across the nation.”
—Sheena A.
“I learned, I cried, and I left a better and more educated person.”
—Stef E.
“Educational and entertaining, but a spiritual and moving experience also.”
—Tracie W.
“Does an outstanding job of educating and immersing you into Native cultures.”
—Tyler N.
“What a triumph! The whole experience was breathtaking and moving.”
@bobbycartist
“Visually stunning building with equally powerful (and important) storytelling.”
@cyndilongstudios
“A beautiful and honest display of Indigenous culture and history.”
@feliciadawwn
“Estoy muy agradecida por todas la atención y por la información history tan importante que compartieron conmigo.”
@ivana.batch
“Stunning art and sobering history lessons.”
@jcweiler
“I am in deep awe of the extraordinary resilience of the First American Nations.”
@juliaothmer
“Truly garners the attention of the visitor in an attempt to raise awareness.”
@juniorcult
“A world class Native museum.”
@kwstuver
“A great place to learn about the history, culture, and modern day resilience of the First Americans!”
@morgannicolebrooks
“Tưởng đi bảo tàng để học hỏi thư giãn nhưng sau khi cố ‘đọc’ mà chưa hiểu mấy, tui cảm thấy như ‘nuốt’ một cuốn sách lịch sử khổng lồ mà chưa kịp nhai.”
@nguyen_ho_dieu_phuong
“I am glad we are learning how to honor these wonderful and beautiful souls.”
@robertpuffjr
“Every detail and decision was made with the utmost thoughtfulness and purpose and the experience was full of gravity, inspiration, and humor.”
@shellyphelps
“I am proud to be a Native American.”
@skmoore7
“A different kind of museum … The place left me thinking a lot after we left.”
@yogiab
“A huge blessing to OKC and beyond to have such a beautiful museum right here.”
—Laurie S.
“A breathtaking museum that’s worth a visit for the architecture alone, but it offers so much more.”
—Kasey C.
“I am grateful to those who curated and researched the museum’s collection, as they have brought this important history to light.”
—Quyen
“I smiled. I cried. They set the bar for modern museums with this place.”
—Zero S.
“Indigenous people are not part of a distant past — they are leaders, artists, educators, activists, and community members shaping the present and the future.”
@famstoreok
“I learn new things every time I visit.”
@mickie_whitehead