Gilcrease Museum Returns Historic Printing Press To Cherokee Nation

Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum conveyed ownership of a historic printing press to the Cherokee Nation, more than a decade after loaning it to the tribe.

The press was the last one used by the Cherokee Advocate, the predecessor of the modern Cherokee Phoenix.

The U.S. Government seized the press from the Cherokees in 1906 and sold it at auction. It passed through several hands before Thomas Gilcrease bought it in the 1940s.

“We can honor and be thankful to Thomas Gilcrease for saving the press in that time period when most likely it would have been discarded. It’s possible the press would have been scrapped and never seen again, but we can also do the correct thing in this time period which is to return it to the people it belongs to - the Cherokee Nation,” said Brian Whisenhunt, the Director of Gilcrease Museum.

Phoenix Editor Tyler Thomas noted the seizure contradicted the Freedom of the Press in the First Amendment.

“To think that somebody would come in with the federal government and say this isn't yours, you're no longer allowed to print the paper you founded, to inform your citizens, it's crazy to think that would happen in the United States of America.”

Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. accepted the transfer on behalf of the Nation.

“When we think about the friends we have throughout history, Gilcrease is a great friend and this voluntary transfer says a great deal about them and about us here in the 21st Century, doing the right thing, it just feels good today.”

The press will remain on display in the Cherokee National Supreme Court Building Museum.