Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum at Okalee Village Opens with Dual Celebrations

By Iretta Tiger

HOLLYWOOD — It’s no secret that Seminoles are proud of their culture. So much so that when the time came for the opening of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum at Okalee Village the museum’s Director Tina Osceola and the Manager Barbara Butera arranged for a private celebration for Seminole Tribal citizens.

The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum at Okalee Village in Seminole Paradise opened on May 17 with two celebrations on the same day. The first celebration, at 12 p.m., was for Tribal citizens only and the museum showered them with welcome gift bags.

A new tradition started that day when Osceola, in lieu of scissors, had golden machetes specially made for the ribbon cutting.

Tribal citizens stood awe-struck as they walked through the museum, especially when they saw the huge six-foot photographs hanging in the main hall; photographs of faces from long ago to the present.

Tribal President Moses Osceola laughed along with William Osceola and Cornelia Osceola as they reminisced over photographs from the 1950s.

The second celebration took place at 6 p.m. in the evening and was for the general public and invited guests. Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti joined Chairman Mitchell Cypress and Hollywood Council Representative Max Osceola Jr. for the cutting of the ribbon. They also used the golden machetes for this ceremony.

Many who remember the original museum will see a familiar site, the Fred Beaver mural. The mural is the centerpiece in the main hall. The museum also features photographs by William Boehmer of Beaver working on the mural.

A special part of the museum is the “Treasures Room,” which will exhibit one item for a period of time. For the opening, a men’s big shirt from 1923 was on display. The shirt was worn by either Jack or Charlie Tigertail.

There is much to learn about Seminole culture and many Seminole treasures to be seen so come and explore the museum. The hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday– Sunday.

For more information call (954) 797-5570 or e-mail hollywoodmuseum@semtribe.com.