Celebration Marks 50 Years for Tvshkahomma Capitol Museum

TVSHKAHOMMA, Okla. – The 50th anniversary of the Tvshkahomma Capitol Museum was celebrated at the 2025 Choctaw Labor Day Festival today with traditional singing and speakers. The two-story, red-brick structure was built in 1884 and served as the Capitol Building for the tribe until Sept. 1, 1975, when it was dedicated as a museum. The 141-year-old Capitol building was completed the same year as Pushmataha Hall at Wheelock Academy.

Three bronze busts, crafted by Choctaw artist Jane Semple-Umsted, also were unveiled honoring Choctaw leaders from different eras, each of whom played a vital role in shaping the Choctaw Nation.

At the unveiling, Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Gary Batton said, “It’s an emotional day for me because I think about Chief Pyle, Bertram Bobb and Delton Cox. They have set the tone for me as Chief, and I appreciate them so very much for all that they’ve done for us.”

The sculptures are of:

• Gregory Pyle Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma from 1997 until his retirement in 2014, one of Chief Pyle’s first initiatives was to build a new hospital, which opened in 1999. During his time in office, he negotiated millions of dollars of contracts for the Choctaw Nation and instituted many positive changes, particularly in education, healthcare, and housing. He established the annual Veterans Day ceremony and instituted other services for Choctaws in the military and veterans, resulting in the Choctaw Nation being awarded the 2008 Freedom Award, which had never been given to a Native American tribe. Chief Pyle was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2007.
• Delton Cox Elected Tribal Councilman of the Fourth District of the Choctaw Nation in 2001, Councilman Cox held the position until his retirement in 2021. He was elected Speaker of the Choctaw Nation Tribal Council by his peers 10 of the 20 years he was on the Council. During his tenure over 70 new Affordable Rental and LEAP homes were added to his district. He supported the Choctaw Nation Historical Society for many years and was chosen as its president. He later helped with the incorporation of the Chahta Foundation. A longtime educator, he taught and held administrative positions in public schools and Indian schools. He also served as the Bureau of Indian Affairs Education Specialist at the Muskogee Area Office.
• Bertram Bobb “Brother Bobb” served as the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chaplain for two decades, where he was the only appointee for life. He was also the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes Chaplain for 27 years. He gave the welcoming address during the Tvshkahomma Capitol Museum’s dedication ceremony in 1975 and remained an avid supporter of the museum. A Navy veteran of World War II, he attended the Dallas Theological Seminary and was ordained in ministry at Scofield Memorial Church, Dallas. He was the founder and director of the Christian Indian Ministries in Antlers, and Bertram Bobb Bible Camp and the Native American Bible Academy in Ringold.

The Choctaw Labor Day Festival continues through Sunday, with Chief Batton’s State of the Nation Address at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1 on the Choctaw Nation website, Vimeo, YouTube, and Facebook. Festival attendance and parking are complimentary to everyone. For information and updates, visit the website chocta.ws/ld-schedule.