Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
MUSEUM HISTORY
We have lost priceless knowledge of our people because we failed to properly document and store these documents. Therefore, I believe it is time to develop a museum where we can do these things and share our culture with those who wish to know a little about the Seminole.
--James E. Billie, Chairman, Seminole Tribe of Florida
In 1987, the Seminole Tribe of Florida began a comprehensive evaluation of its cultural departments. This study, uncovered the need to further collect, preserve, and communicate, the culture and history of the Seminole people. Always committed to nurturing and sharing tribal customs and traditions, the Seminole Tribe gives priority to maintaining cultural rituals that involve participation of Tribal elders alongside Seminole youth. The Tribe also has a long history of encouraging Seminole cultural exchanges with non-Seminole people world-wide. The Tribe's commitment to this ideal led to the commission of a master plan for the design and implementation of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum.
Officially chartered in 1989, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum opened its doors to the public August 21, 1997 helping to commemorate the 40th anniversary of federal recognition of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum is located on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and in May 2005, the Museum program opened a smaller satellite facility within the Seminole Paradise area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. The Hollywood location closed in early October 2009.
The former Executive Director was Billy L. Cypress, a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and a member of the Bear Clan. Mr. Cypress was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a college graduate with a master's degree in English, and post-graduate work in History. Mr. Cypress served on numerous museum planning and advisory boards including the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).
In August of 2004, with the passing of Billy L.Cypress earlier in the year, Tina M. Osceola became Executive Director and held that position until June 2011. Also a Seminole Tribal member, Tina grew up in Naples and was an avid Native American dancer and entertainer. Tina holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Rollins College and a master's degree in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Ms. Osceola also held a seat on the Board of the NMAI and served as President of the Board for the American Indian and Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA). The Executive Directorship of the Museum is still under consideration at this time, and is currently managed by the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum Director, Anne McCudden. Anne McCudden has been Director since 2006.
In 2004, the Big Cypress facility added a second building which is used for curatorial purposes. This structure is dedicated to the Museum's curatorial and conservation needs and contains a conservation lab and state-of-the-art collections vault. Some of the Museum artifacts on display are on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. The Museum also actively shares its collection with select community institutions in the form of traveling exhibits and artifact loans.
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum boasts more than one mile of elevated boardwalk through a 66 acre cypress dome, all wheel chair accessible. The boardwalk offers educational placards in English, as well as the two languages of the Seminole (Mikasuki and Creek), identifying 67 different plant species and their traditional Tribal uses. The boardwalk leads to a recreated Living Village wherein Tribal artisans demonstrate the traditional arts and crafts of woodcarving, beadwork, basketry and the distinctive Seminole patchwork.
In total, the Museum employs 29 full time and roughly 9 part time staff of which approximately 15% are Seminole Tribal members.
Fifteen years have passed very quickly, but we haven't forgotten the tireless efforts and dedication of the numerous visionaries comprised of Tribal leaders, Tribal citizens, Museum staff and visitors who have provided the opportunity to live by our very definition... a place to learn, a place to remember.
MISSION STATEMENT: To collect, preserve, protect and interpret Seminole culture and history - inspiring an appreciation and understanding of the Seminole people.
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