The Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum: A Place To Learn About The Seminole Tribe
Florida is rich in Native American culture and history, and there’s no better place to learn about the Seminole Indian tribe than the Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum.
**A big thank you to Melissa and Florida Seminole Tourism for hosting us. As always, all opinions are our own.**
Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum
The Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum is a designated Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and is home to over 180,000 unique artifacts and archival items. It is located in the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in South Florida and is close to Billie Swamp Safari. Inside, visitors will learn a lot about the people that make up the Seminole Tribe. This museum left a lasting impression on us and we think it’s one of the best museums in Florida.
What does “Ah Tah Thi Ki” mean?
Ah Tah Thi Ki means “a place to learn, a place to remember” in the Seminole language. The mission of the museum is to celebrate and preserve the history of the Seminoles, so it’s a fitting name.
Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum Admission
The museum is open every day from 9am to 5pm, excluding certain holidays. Below are their admission prices:
- Adult (ages 19-54): $10.00
- Senior (55+): $7.50
- Students (18 and under, or with a college ID): $7.50
- Military: $7.50
- Family (2 Adults and Up To 4 Children Ages 5-18): $30.00
- Children 4 and Under: Free
- Seminole Tribe Member: Free
- Other Tribe With ID: Free
Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum Exhibits
Upon entering the museum, we were greeted and shown to a small theater. We watched a 15 minute video called “We Seminoles” that told the history of the Seminoles and why the museum was created. Then we walked around the various exhibits that they have. They have permanent exhibits as well as temporary exhibits that reflect different topics and contemporary Seminole life.
We learned about the Catfish Dance which is done during the annual Green Corn Ceremony, and about how the Seminoles hunted, cooked, and married. We especially enjoyed the exhibits displaying intricate patchwork skirts and dolls.
Boardwalk
Another really cool thing about the museum is the raised boardwalk they have behind the main building. It is just over a mile long and winds through a natural cypress dome (and it’s all wheel chair accessible!). Along the boardwalk are signs with information on various local plant and animal species.
Ceremonial Grounds
About half way along the boardwalk, you’ll find recreated Seminole ceremonial grounds. There are chickee huts made of palmetto and cypress and an open court for playing stickball. These grounds are where tribe members would have met for political and religious events.
Seminole Village
Between the 1920s and 1960s, Seminole villages were very popular tourist attractions. Tribe members would sell crafts and carvings and even wrestle alligators! Nowadays, you can see a modern-day version of a Seminole village as you continue along the boardwalk. There are often Seminole artists on site doing demonstrations and answering questions about traditional arts and crafts.
Special Events
There are often events held at the Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum. Visitors can see dances, hear music, or learn about Seminole crafts. We suggest visiting their website to see upcoming events and programs.
Final Thoughts On The Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum
The Seminoles played an integral part in Florida history. I’m glad the Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum is preserving the customs and traditions of the Seminole Tribe, so that everyone can learn the rich history of these amazing people.
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Thank you, Buddy, for the beautiful blog and stunning photography! Very nicely presented.
Thanks so much Virginia! We had a great time! 🙂
This is a fantastic and colorful museum of the Seminole tribe,I would love to visit and also check out that elevated walkway to the cypress grove, really stunning.
Hi Noel! I hope you’re able to visit one day. 🙂
Someone just recently commented on one of my posts that there are no traces of Native American culture in Florida, but your post proves it differently. Very interesting museum. I didn’t know the Seminoles occupied that territory.
There are traces everywhere! For instance, many things have Native American names like lakes and rivers.
I love the Seminole’s costumes, so bright, colorful and happy. It’s great to have a museum dedicated to preserving the Seminole Tribe’s culture, will have to visit when we’re in Florida. Great picture of Buddy on the bench!
Thanks Brenda! 😀
Native American history is so fascinating and an important part of our past. I teach about the Native Americans who lived in New York City long ago. My students are always so curious about their way of life and beliefs. Glad to know a museum like this exists to preserve and teach about the Seminole.
Hi Jackie, that’s so cool! I’d love to learn more about the Native Americans from New York.
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum seems like a really great place to visit if you want to know about the Seminole Indian tribe. Those skirts have such vibrant colors. But my favorite part would be walking along the boardwalk.
Yes, definitely a highlight 🙂
I think this is a museum that my whole family would enjoy. My daughter would love the clothes and learning about dance and marriage. She’s only three but after watching Disney movies a million times, she asks so many questions about marriage. We’d all enjoy the boardwalk as well. Sound like a great place.
Oh, I’m sure she would love it! 🙂
what a fascinating place – and in Florida! It’s not what I expected at all
Yup! It is a wonderful museum 🙂
Their fabric (and the dolls!) are so beautiful and delicate – real works of art. I love that the museum incorporated an outdoor element. It seems very fitting and a very nice way to conclude a visit.
Hi Vanessa! It really was 🙂
I love their traditional dress. It’s very beautiful! I’ve learnt through travelling that it’s well worth visiting the museums to understand the culture and tie your visit together nicely. Thank you for sharing what you learnt!
Hi Alice! I agree, it’s so much better to learn about the culture so you can really appreciate everything you’re looking at.
Its kinda funny to be reading this post now as I was just chatting to this museum about visitng. Very cool to get some pre-visit insight 🙂
That’s awesome Kimberly! I’m glad you liked it and I hope it was helpful 🙂
Sounds like you had a fun and educational day! It’s always interesting to learn about other cultures.
Definitely! 😀
An added element of interest is that the museum grounds (and boardwalk) showcase the Tribe’s ultimate place of refuge in the Big Cypress swamp after the long struggle for survival spanning the 19th century (1817-1858). Less than 200 Seminole survived the war(s) of removal. Today the museum not only preserves and interprets their history and traditions, but celebrates their modern culture and enterprise!
Very well said Virginia! Thank you 🙂
This looks like a truly fascinating museum. I will have to check it out the next time I’m in Florida.
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it Mindi.
I think I’d really enjoy seeing the vibrant colors and patterns of the textiles, especially those skirts and dolls. The boardwalk amid the cypress trees also seems like a real highlight that I’d enjoy.
Thanks Erin, I think you would. 🙂
This looks like such an interesting museum! Your photos are gorgeous. I especially like the last one with the doll on the bench. 🙂
Thank you Cynthia!
Interesting museum. My favorite is the clothing. I love to see the different tribes national dress and the reasons behind them.
I agree, it’s such an important part of their culture!
I’ve been meaning to go here for a while now. Thanks for the inside look. I love seeing you explore all of the things in Florida I’ve never made it to (yet)!
Haha! I know you will though! 😀
It’s always worth the drive, especially when there are Crested Cara-Cara birds hopping along Snake Road on the way here (you won’t find them along the coastal counties). We have some special days coming up in the summer with added cultural activities as part of your regular Museum visit. Check in with us when you make plans!
Will do!! Looking forward to it! 😀