LAWTON, Okla_A cherished
piece of Comanche history now resides at the Comanche
National Museum
in Lawton. It dates back at least 150 years, and it is
part of a new group of exhibits that were unveiled Thursday.
Descendants of
the last Comanche Chief Quanah Parker were given the first opportunity to see
the robe that Quanah's mother, Cynthia Ann was wearing when she was taken from
her Comanche family in 1860.
"I know in
her heart where she wanted to be and I know how it hurt her to not see Quanah
and how she wished she could have seen him become a chief," Quanah's
great-granddaughter Ardith Parker said.
Tearfully they
honored her memory, in word and in song.
"It was
part of her. It's just real emotional time. It's just to let us know that even
though we're here in a new age that it just brings us all together,"
great-granddaughter Edna Pahcheka-Poafpybitty said.
The entire
museum got a make over, more to see than ever before. They worked until 2 a.m.
and they were back at it again early this morning to put the finishing touches
on the newest exhibits.
"The staff
has worked diligently and many hours and you can only do that if you have a
real love and a desire to provide information and history to your people as
well as Lawton,
the community as well," great-grandson Gary Tahmahkera said.
The Comanche Museum was just a dream for more than 30
years, on the 5th anniversary of dream becoming reality they celebrated all
things Comanche. The Code Talkers exhibit features pictures that have never
been seen before and the Fort
Sill Indian
School comes to life.
"I have so
many more items that have never been see before that I'm going to continue to
bring out through the year so just because you've come this time, next time
there's going to be new items in here," Comanche Museum Executive Director
Phyllis Wahahrockah-Tasi
The Cynthia Ann Parker robe is on loan from the Fort Worth Museum of Science
and Industry and will only be at the museum for a limited time.
