If it were about your nation.....

[suzyq]

My family just purchased the historical Tee Pee Motel in Wharton, Texas and we are in the process of renovating them to re-open in the Spring. Without offending anyone or sounding disrespectful, I would like your opinion on some things we would like to do. Since our grandmother was 1/2 Cherokee, we would like them to be more about history and culture than a cool place to stay the night. The 11 Tipis were made of concrete/stucco in 1942 and have been empty since 1988 I believe. We are completely redoing the interior and repainting the outside of them.

Texas has a vast amount of history on the Native Americans and I know that all is extremely important, but not all of it is portrayed or taught correctly in our public schools or our library books. I have done extensive research and find myself just overwhelmed with it all. Does anyone have a book they would suggest my reading that is accurate?

We want to include portriates of famous Chiefs and Warriors in each of them for ten of the original tribes in Texas in the 1800's. My entire life I have admired and respected them and believe they should never be forgotten by any race.

Items that we would love to display in the rooms are well worth the money to purchase, but afraid someone would walk off with them. If we can find a way to secure them, what would you want displayed?

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post and hopefully give me your ideas or opinions.

[drinkingfromysaucer2]

air conditioning would be great...if it's to be a "cool" place-j/k

seriously, i don't have anything else to add

[AngelFeather]

My family just purchased the historical Tee Pee Motel in Wharton, Texas and we are in the process of renovating them to re-open in the Spring. Without offending anyone or sounding disrespectful, I would like your opinion on some things we would like to do. Since our grandmother was 1/2 Cherokee, we would like them to be more about history and culture than a cool place to stay the night. The 11 Tipis were made of concrete/stucco in 1942 and have been empty since 1988 I believe. We are completely redoing the interior and repainting the outside of them.

Texas has a vast amount of history on the Native Americans and I know that all is extremely important, but not all of it is portrayed or taught correctly in our public schools or our library books. I have done extensive research and find myself just overwhelmed with it all. Does anyone have a book they would suggest my reading that is accurate?

We want to include portriates of famous Chiefs and Warriors in each of them for ten of the original tribes in Texas in the 1800's. My entire life I have admired and respected them and believe they should never be forgotten by any race.

Items that we would love to display in the rooms are well worth the money to purchase, but afraid someone would walk off with them. If we can find a way to secure them, what would you want displayed?

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post and hopefully give me your ideas or opinions.

I think what youre doing is really neat and that you are being aware of the fact that Native culture and history isnt being taught or written about correctly. I really like the Idea of paying tribute to the Chiefs and that may be something you want to go with. I am not from texas and do not have alot knowledge of the original tribes there but i think the ideas which youre generating are very good ones. Keep researching and asking questions, maybe even visit a reservation in your area and talk to the original people of that area, what better way to get the straight facts then from the ancestors of the people you want to pay tribute to, this may also act as way of respecting them by visiting them instead of just relying on books and second hand information which could turn up to be flase then offending the people that you want to pay homage to.
thats all i can suggest

[Mr Bo Jangles]

Talk a stroll thru the San Antonio Sea World sculture garden, over near the pool section of the park....it's loaded with some great statues of some of the tribes that resided in Texas.

or just do some research online about the indians in Texas. Look for historical figures that had a hand in shaping the indian history of Texas, both past and Present.

I think the Karankawan, Tonkawan, or Coahuiltecan, are original Texas inhabitants, way near the Texas-Mexico Border, the Bidai, the Anadarko, Alabama, Akokisa, Biloxi, Caddo, Cherokee, Choctaw, Isleta Del Sur, Kichai, and then of course you have the more recent, Comanche and Kiowas.

....there's more....I'm sure!

[suzyq]

I have never been to Sea World but that's a great idea! Thank you so much for your info. Feedback like this is what I was wanting. I have actually e-mailed the contacts from several websites trying to set up a meeting with someone, but Alabama-Coushatta in Livingston, Tx. is the only reply that I received. We will be going to their Pow - Wow next week for sure and they are going to give us literature to hand out to our guests. I was beginning to think that maybe I had ask in an inappropriate way or somehow unintentionally insulted someone.

Not only do I think there is a vast amount of "incorrect" history, but I think the Native American Indian history is extremely lacking in our world today and that is another focus of ours.

Another question regarding the history, do you think it inappropriate for us to do something for Native American History month? Any suggestions?

Again, thank you so very much for your input!

[Joe G]

SusieQ....this isn't to answer your questions, but my memory seems to recall that there were more than one site of these teepee motels, and one was located in/near cave city, Kentucky...have you ever heard of that one? wonder if it's still there?
C

[suzyq]

There are actually three other "Wig Wam" motels as they are called in the United States and yes, one is in Kentucky. Back in the 40's there were quite of few of them. In fact, at that time there were like 4 in Texas. Now, this one is the only one left in Texas. If you would like to read more about them, there is an article on TexasLiquid.com with pictures.

Thanks,
Susie

[Joe G]

Great, thanks! good luck with your efforts...

[Joe G]

[QUOTE=suzyq]There are actually three other "Wig Wam" motels as they are called in the United States and yes, one is in Kentucky. Back in the 40's there were quite of few of them. In fact, at that time there were like 4 in Texas. Now, this one is the only one left in Texas. If you would like to read more about them, there is an article on TexasLiquid.com with pictures.

Susie, I tried that site Texas.liquid.com...and it's a fertilizer company site...so something 'smells' with it!

[suzyq]

I'm sorry, it should be www.texasliquidtravel.org.

[AngelFeather]

that link doesn't work either...

[suzyq]

Is it still Monday? I'm sorry, it is: www.liquidtravel.org

[Joe G]

Well, the fertilizer one was funny! what are the chances of that?
Cool! I found it...when I was young, my family was poor, (hell we drove from Michigan to Tennessee and slept 6 people in the car!) so we never stayed in these (in Ky) but I never forgot them.
Hope this works out well for you!
C

[suzyq]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. When we are out there working on them people will stop by just to check them out. I think there would be a linching if we had taken them down! They truly are a landmark and too beautiful to tear down.

[suzyq]

Have a great day!