Review of Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center in Lawton, OK

The Native American Indian has been telling their stories for centuries, passing the information from one generation to the next. The Comanche Nation is the largest tribe in Lawton, Oklahoma. The Comanche elders realized several years ago that their young tribe members were losing interest in the ways of the ancestors, and as a result, they longed to find a medium in which they could preserve their history, language and culture, so they would not be forgotten. The dreams of the Comanche People came true, and their stories are now told through the exhibits found at the Comanche National Museum (CNM) and Cultural Center in Lawton, Oklahoma.

The museum opened its doors in September 2007. The museum tells the "Numunuu" (Comanche language) story by-way of informative panels, interactive displays, documents, and historic artifacts.

The Comanche Nation

In the 1700s, the tribe was some 20,000 members strong, but today, the Comanche population has largely diminished, and the Comanche elders are determined not to let the history of their people die. To date, there are almost 200 Comanche Elders over the age of 80, and it is important to preserve their stories, and also deserve to be honored.

The Museum

Located in the Museum of the Great Plains annex, the museum is housed in the old Percussive Arts Building, which was quickly modernized to suit the needs of the CNM. The museum's collection is work in progress, and it usually takes years for a museum to come together, but the CNM is without a doubt, a source of pride for the Comanche People and the Lawton Community.

The museum is set up in a way that guests walk into well-lit, wide open spaces. There is a section dedicated to the origins of the Comanche People, their struggle to keep their language alive, their spirituality and how Christianity affected its people. Other sections are dedicated to special exhibits, and so on.

The purpose of CNM is provide a better understanding of the Comanche People by providing historical and cultural information that is often overlooked or misguided in history books and other present-day media. The facility aims to impart knowledge and offers guests a chance to learn about the largest American Indian tribe in the Oklahoma.

The CNM was completely funded by the Comanche Tribe's casino revenue; thereby demonstrating that gaming monies can have a positive impact on the community.

Exhibits

The CNM hosts national traveling exhibitions on loan from major metropolitan museums across the country such as theSmithsonian Institute, Michigan State University Museum and Chicago's Field Museum. These exhibits present American Indian art and culture, but the focal point remains on the history of the Comanche People.

There is a special exhibit dedicated to the American Indian Languages and the Code Talkers. It is believed that each American Indian tribe had at least two talkers.

Conclusion

The Comanche National Museum offers visitors a rare glimpse of traditional cultural objects and detailed history about the Comanche People. My visit to this museum was surprisingly satisfying, and I found some of the stories featured on the exhibits quite moving. The museum also showcases a variety of collections including fine art, the Egli and Chibitty Collections, Fort Sill Indian School and military items. A library and photo archives are also on-site.

Admission is FREE

Schedule:

M-F: 8:00 to 5:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 to 2:00 pm
Sundays: Closed