Okeechobee Main Street and Okeechobee Historical Society will host the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, “Americans” in the Okeechobee Historical Court House from Oct. 17 - Dec. 4, 2026. The exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street and the National Museum of the American Indian explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the history, popular culture and identity of the United States. 

Okeechobee and the surrounding community have been chosen by the Florida Humanities Council to host “Americans” as part of the Museum on Main Street program—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations.  This will be the third time we have had the honor to host a “MOMS” exhibit. The exhibition will tour 5 communities in Florida from Amelia Island to Panama City.

Based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., “Americans” highlights the ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began.

The exhibition examines three stories that are part of American national culture. The first is devoted to Pocahontas, the young Powhatan woman who played a key role in saving the colony of Jamestown. Another story explores the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Signed by President Andrew Jackson, the act envisioned a United States without Indians. This story is one that we in Okeechobee are most familiar with as one of the major battles of the Seminole Wars happened in Okeechobee on Christmas Day 1837. The third looks at the complicated story of the Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand. “Americans” explores how these events have been remembered and represented throughout the years.

Our opening ceremony, on Oct. 17, will be a celebration of the Seminole Culture in our community as well as exhibits featuring Okeechobee’s part in Native American History. The community is invited to join us that day from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for this very special event. With participation from the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe, it should prove to be a wonderful experience. Seminole vendors, craftsmen, food, books, and other informational displays will be set up in the courtyard. 

This exhibit will be in Okeechobee from Oct. 17 until Dec. 4, Monday through Fridays, 9-5 in the foyer of the historic Okeechobee Courthouse. People are free to visit anytime during that period. Tuesday mornings are when Okeechobee’s fourth graders will visit. If any other groups would like to come, please contact Main Street so as to make audio devices available.

Information may be found on the Okeechobee Main Street webpages.

Support for “Americans” is provided by the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250, a Smithsonian-wide initiative commemorating the nation’s 250^th and the Florida Humanities Council as well as locally the Tourist Development Council, Okeechobee County Board of Commissioners, and Children’s Services Council.

The Okeechobee Historic Courthouse is located at 304 NW Second St.