American Indian Museum In OKC Gets New Name, New Opening Date

The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum has been in the making for more than a decade, but it's finally on track to open and it'll have a new name.

Friday, December 13th 2019, 5:02 am

By: Amber Gerard

It used to be called the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, but now, it’s the First American Museum.

The $175 million museum near Eastern Avenue and Interstate 40 is set to open in spring 2021.

“It’s taken so long that locals have every reason to have forgotten, to be excited,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.

The museum, which sits on land donated by the city, pays tribute to the historical significance of the American Indian in the U.S. and Oklahoma.

“Many First Nations from different parts of the country came to Indian Territory, in what is now Oklahoma,” said Chickasaw Nation president Bill Aloutubby.

That’s the motivation behind the name change.

The National American History Museum in Washington, D.C., is donating 144 American Indian artifacts.

Three items from each of the 39 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma, on loan from the Smithsonian, will also be on display.

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