Chickasaw White House, Oklahoma, United States

5glhenry 5:00 PM Jul 7, 2016

Wonderful museum and trip back in time. We loved it.
The proper name is the White House of the Chickasaws. It is located just south of Milburn, Oklahoma. It is a true hidden gem. I had not heard of the White House of the Chickasaws until recently and my wife and I decided we had to visit. My wife is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and we are always looking for ways to expand our knowledge of her people and their history. The White House of the Chickasaws is the original home of former Chickasaw Governor Douglas H. Johnston. Johnston was the 22nd, 24th and 26th governor of the Chickasaw Nation during his career, having been elected to the office in 1898, 1900 and 1904. He was the first Chickasaw governor to be appointed by the president of the United States in 1906. He served as the Governor of the Chickasaw Nation for more than 30 years, until his death in 1939. Johnston and his descendants resided in this beautiful house from 1898 to 1971. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The house was the scene of many important social and political events in Indian Territory and then in the State of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Governor William E. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray was married there to Alice Hearell, a niece of Governor Johnston. Alfalfa Bill and Alice's son, Johnston Murray, was also born in the house, he later become Oklahoma's 14th governor in 1951. Other marriages took place in the house, including that of Julia Chisholm, granddaughter of the famed Jesse Chisholm (of Chisholm Trail fame) and adopted niece of Governor Johnston. Prominent politicians and members of the Dawes Commission also met at the house. The Governor scored several notable achievements on behalf of the Chickasaw Nation and its people, by appealing upon occasion directly to President Theodore Roosevelt, who was instrumental in keeping white adventurers off tribal rolls, in maintaining tribal control over Indian schools, and in saving tribal government by insisting Washington live up to its treaty obligations in regard to taxes. The house is now a historic house museum owned by the Chickasaw Nation and has been restored to a 1900 appearance. You can almost hear the historical events that took place in this great home. It has been faithfully restored to it's original condition. Great care was taken to make it appear as it did in 1900. The wall paper in the front rooms were identical reproductions to the original wall paper that was uncovered during the restoration. Additionally, descendants of Governor Johnston have donated back to the tribe the original furniture that graced this home in 1900. It is as faithful to the original as possible. The grounds of the home are beautiful and almost majestic. The grounds are graced by beautiful flowers and two of the largest Crape Myrtle Trees I have ever seen. It is a great place to visit and learn of the early days of the Chickasaw Nation in what would become Oklahoma. And it is a great view into the every day lives of a family in the early 1900s.

5kpryor89 5:00 PM Jan 13, 2018

Beautiful piece of history
My family and I love to visit this home in what seems to be the middle of nowhere! There are events hosted on site throughout the year which never disappoint. To be honest, my kids just love to look at the history and sit on the porch for no less than an hour. This place just feels like home to us.