The Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Oklahoma, showcases the art, history, and culture of the so-called "Five Civilized Tribes": the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole tribes. Housed in the historic Union Indian Agency building, the museum opened in 1966. The museum holds an extensive collection of Native American art of the Five Civilized Tribes, including a large collection of originals by Jerome Tiger (Muscogee/Seminole, 1941–1967). History The museum originated with the Da-Co-Tah Indian Club, which began campaigning in September 1951 to use the Union Indian Agency building to house a local museum. In 1954, the club sponsored legislation, H.R. Bill No. 8983 by U.S. Representative Ed Edmondson, that petitioned the return of the building to the municipal government of Muskogee, Oklahoma. The legislation was passed and signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower and the museum was incorporated on November 19, 1955. Two years later, Marie L. Wadley (Shawnee/Cherokee) became the first president of the museum. The building opened its doors as the Five Civilized Tribes Museum on April 26, 1966. In 2016, T. Sean Barney succeeded Mary Robinson as executive director. Union Indian Agency Building The Union Indian Agency Building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and was constructed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the 1870s to house the Superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes. Until this point, each tribe had their own agency, except for the Chickasaws and Choctaws, who shared one at Boggy Depot. The term, "Five Civilized Tribes", was coined around the same time as the opening of the consolidated agency building. The building was used for the offices and residence of the Indian Agency Superintendent and his family. The building was owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and served as a school and orphanage for the Creek Freedmen. In 1909, the ownership of the building was transferred to the municipal government of Muskogee, Oklahoma. The city passed ownership to the United States government in 1944 to aid the Veterans Hospital facilities, but it was left unused. After World War I it began a new life as “The Chateau” where area residents came to listen and dance to live bands. After World War II, the building fell into disrepair until the city and Da-Co-Tah Indian Club worked to repair and restore the building. Exhibits On April 16, 1966, the Da-Co-Tah Indian Club opened the doors to the Five Civilized Tribes