First Americans Museum: Symbolic Architecture

From its initial announcement in 1994 to grand opening in 2021, First Americans Museum took nearly three decades to complete. During the planning and construction process, the architects met with indigenous communities throughout Oklahoma to better understand the cultural life ways and knowledge of First American people forced into Oklahoma. Those community conversations contributed to the symbolism throughout the architecture of the 175,000 square foot facility. The mission of FAM is to educate the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, and contributions of the 39 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma today. The 175,000 square foot facility showcases state-of-the-art exhibitions in history, culture, and art; live public and education programs; a full service restaurant presenting unique Native inspired cuisine; and a museum store featuring one-of-a-kind hand-made items created by Oklahoma’s premier Native American artists.