During 2006, the Five Civilized Tribes Museum of Muskogee was honored with gifts from generous members.

The museum was privileged to receive a scholarship donation in loving memory of Helen Dodson Askew Claassen. This gift will help a deserving student with Five Civilized Tribes heritage, attend Bacone College. To qualify, the student must be an art major and be selected by a committee from the museum and Bacone College.

In September, Mike Berryhill, Muscogee Creek, presented the museum with a traditional bow, made from Bois D’arc wood, along with three arrows representing three periods in history. Berryhill is proud of his heritage and wants to continue making cabin crafts in the historically correct style.

“Bird of Grace,” a wood craving by Master Artist Jason Stone, was donated to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum by Martha Griffin in memory of Ruth Hall. The pedestal for this sculpture furnished through the many memorial gifts given in Hall’s honor.

To celebrate Marie Wadley’s 100th birthday, Griffin made a donation to the museum of three paintings by Master Artists of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. Two of the paintings are by Virginia Stroud — “Salt Making” and “Honeysuckle Processing.” Gary Montgomery painted “First Sight,” a father and son’s first encounter.

The artworks will be on display in the art gallery of the museum and the bow and arrows will be on display in the museum area.

January’s show in the gallery was “The Trail of Tears.” The show gives a unique perspective of a devastating period of time through the eyes of the artists.

The Five Civilized Tribes Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.