Seminole Indian Collections

The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum’s various collections exist to serve as a repository for all archival and artifactual items related to the Seminole Tribe and, more generally speaking, to the Native American populations of the Southeastern United States.  Collections owned by the museum include a multitude of different archival and artifact items. This includes historical newspapers, manuscripts, patchwork clothing, baskets, dolls, militaria and various pieces of ephemera produced during the early 1900s.

One of the museum’s primary goals is to serve as a center of research for Seminole culture and Native American history in the Southeastern United States.  Some of the items currently available for research by scholars and the general public are the following:

• The museum’s library, which consists of books, journals and a reference section relating to Seminole culture and Southeastern Indians in general.  Held in 375 linear feet of shelf space, these items are available for researchers to use in the facilities, but cannot be loaned out.  

• Approximately 1000 government documents, dating from the early 1800s to the mid 1900s, covering 60 Native American tribes.  The documents include information on various interactions between the United States government and the tribes.  

• An extensive newspaper collection, dating from the early 1800s, that contains information regarding Indian removal, the Seminole Wars, and Indian-White relations.  

• The Ethel Cutler Freeman Collection which consists of over 700 photos, dating from 1939 to 1967, documenting the time Freeman spent studying the Seminole culture.  The collection contains manuscripts, travel diaries, and an extensive collection of photographic negatives.  Packaged with the negatives are captions, written by Freeman, describing the camps and Seminoles she came in frequent contact with.

• The Brown Family Letters Collection is an extensive collection of personal letters written by Corinna and Ellen Brown and their relatives, describing life in Florida during the Seminole Wars.

What kind of objects does the museum collect?

The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki museum collects cultural items related to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Native American groups of the Southeastern United States. The collection consists of a variety of objects, from historical newspapers, manuscripts, patchwork clothing, baskets, dolls, militaria and early 20th Century ephemera.

I have something that I think is historic. How old is it? What’s it worth?

The museum does not perform identifications, authentications, or valuations. You can find a certified appraiser at www.appraisers.org/findappraiser. An auction resource like Christie’s or Sotheby’s - or even an online auction site like www.ebay.com, can help you learn more about the value of your object.

How do I donate objects to the museum?

We appreciate your interest in donating to the museum and are happy to review the object with a staff member to determine if the object fits our collection policies. Please send a photograph and a letter about the object to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, HC 61 Box 21-A, Clewiston, Fl. 33440, or email a digital image of the object to the Museum Registrar, Robin Bauer Kilgo, at robinkilgo@semtribe.com.

Does the museum buy historic objects?

We do occasionally consider objects for purchase and ask that you send us a photograph with a letter telling us about the object, please include information on how you acquired the piece and the terms of your sale. Any history you know about the object will aid us in making a determination. Please do not bring it to the museum unless you already have an appointment.

I am doing research on the Seminoles. Can I use your library?

The museum library and archives are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Appointments are required to ensure that a staff member will be available to assist you. Advanced notice is requested, so staff members can prepare the resources necessary to assist you in your research. To make an appointment please call or email the Museum Registrar, Robin Bauer Kilgo, 863-902-1113 or robinkilgo@semtribe.com.

Does the Museum have online access to it's collections?

Through a partnership with Pastime Software, a select portion of our collection is available online.  In order to access the collection please click here: