Chickasaw Nation Historic Capitol Building

The Chickasaw Nation Capitols, located in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, are a significant part of the region's history. The property includes the Chickasaw Council House Museum and the Chickasaw Nation Capitol building, both of which hold a special place in the National Register of Historic Places since November 5, 1971. These sites offer a unique insight into the history and culture of the Chickasaw Tribe.

Exploring the Chickasaw Council House and Museum

The Chickasaw Council House and Museum in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, offers a comprehensive account of the Chickasaw Tribe's history. The museum showcases exhibits that detail the tribe's removal from their lands in present-day Mississippi during the Trail of Tears and their subsequent settlement in Oklahoma. Admission to the museum is free, and it offers daily tours. Visitors can explore a collection of Chickasaw artifacts, a genealogy research center, and a one-room log Council House built in 1853.

The Chickasaw Nation's Independence and Government

Following the Trail of Tears, the Chickasaw settled on Choctaw lands in the Indian Territory. The Nation gained independence in 1856 when a treaty was signed in Washington, granting the Chickasaw Nation full ownership of 4,707,903 acres of land and the right to an independent government. The Chickasaw modeled their government after the United States, transitioning from a tribal council to a three-branch system comprising legislative, executive, and judicial branches.