Oklahoma Territorial Museum to highlight children’s artwork from Seger Indian Training School

The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library is joining an international initiative to showcase historical children’s artwork, partnering with the International Research and Archives Network to highlight pieces created by Cheyenne and Arapaho children who attended the Seger Indian Training School in Washita County.

Museum staff will collaborate with the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to develop the exhibit, which will be shared with audiences both locally and internationally in the coming year. The partnership marks a significant milestone, as the two Oklahoma museums become the first institutions in the United States to participate in this global effort.

The Seger Indian Training School was founded in the late 1800s by John Homer Seger. The campus once included approximately three dozen buildings, such as a school, hospital, and dormitories, and served Native American children for several decades before closing in 1941. The upcoming exhibit aims to shed light on the experiences of these children through their artwork, offering insight into their lives and cultural heritage.

The Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library operates as a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The Society’s mission is to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the organization manages museums, historic sites, and research archives throughout the state, providing educational programs and publications that chronicle Oklahoma’s rich past.

Community members and visitors interested in learning more about the exhibit or the museum’s programs can contact the Oklahoma Territorial Museum at 405-471-8568 or visit the Oklahoma Historical Society’s website at okhistory.org.

This collaboration not only brings international recognition to Guthrie but also ensures that the voices and artistic expressions of Cheyenne and Arapaho children are preserved and shared with future generations.