Cultural center event to celebrate renovations
SHAWNEE — The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center will celebrate the completion of renovations with a grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 1899 S Gordon Cooper Drive. This will be the first time the center will be open to the public since it flooded in 2014.
“We’re reopening this center for the heritage of our people,” Cultural Heritage Center Director Kelli Mosteller said. “These renovations and upgrades will allow us to continue to educate our community about the Potawatomi Nation’s culture, heritage and history. It will be the start of a new era for the center and our people.”
Renovations of the 18,000-square-foot center began in 2016 and were funded by insurance and grants. Tribal employees, American Indian-owned businesses and Shawnee companies completed all renovations and created all of the designs and artwork found in the center. A tour through the center takes visitors on a journey through American Indian, Oklahoma and U.S. history beginning with pre-European contact all the way through present date.
Digital displays and interactive exhibits throughout the museum, including an astrology exhibit, a life-size replica of a handmade Potawatomi canoe and a traditional Potawatomi style home and more bring the historical events to life. Mosteller will be speaking at the grand opening to further discuss the significance of the museum.
The free event will include guided tours, and goody bags will be given out to the first 100 visitors. For more information, go to http://www.potawatomi. org/culture/culturalheritage-center/.