Cherokee National History Museum in Tahlequah, Oklahoma

The Cherokee National History Museum is located in the historic 1869 Capitol Building, which housed the Cherokee Nation’s executive, legislative, and judicial offices until 1906. The permanent exhibition has nine theme zones, beginning with Origins and concluding with a contemporary gallery titled We Remain. The exhibition focuses on the Cherokee community over time, and pays particular attention to the Nation’s sense of place, its indigenous beliefs and practices, and its art, history, and culture. 

As Project Director at Ralph Appelbaum Associates, I led the design of the permanent exhibits for the Cherokee National History Museum working closely with the Cherokee Nation team and the architectural firm responsible for the building renovation, 1Architecture. 

Newly commissioned artwork and immersive environments highlight hundreds of Cherokee objects, including loans from the National Museum of the American Indian, the Gilcrease Museum, and the Oklahoma Historical Society. Hands-on interactives, audio programs, and long- and short-form media present a wide range of Cherokee voices and perspectives.