The Kanza Museum
category : Museums
With heavy emphasis on the history and preservation of Kaw Nation's artifacts, the Kansa Museum has frequently changing displays. The museum has recently featured some of the tribe's most significant artifacts.
In its beautiful showroom inside the building adjacent to the tribal headquarters, the Kanza Museum may soon be transformed into a learning center to accommodate the busloads of school children and senior citizen groups that arrive at its doors.
In May of 1998, the museum placed on display the newer set of bronze busts honoring five of the most popular Kaw chiefs of the past. The busts, completed by sculptor Mark Sampsel, are of Chief Washunga, Allegawaho, No-pah-wiah, Lucy Eads, and Ish-tah-lesh-yeh (Specked Eyes.) The five chiefs were selected by a vote of the tribal members.
Also featured in the large display room are busts of the last five full-blooded Kaw Indians, including the last purebred Kaw, Washunga -born William A. Mehojah Sr., 81, of Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Recently, the museum conducted a restoration project of almost 400 Kaw-specific photographs that document the history and activities of the Kaw Indian people. The project provided new photographic negatives of historically significant photos now stored in the climate-controlled repository inside the Kanza Museum.
Admission: Admission is free.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment
Address: 698 Grandview Drive
Phone: 580-269-2552
Come visit us in Kaw City, Oklahoma