Last Chief of Comanches, Native American artifacts on exhibit

Discover regional American Indian culture at Frisco Heritage Museum

(Frisco) April 5, 2012 ~ As a leader of one of the most powerful Indian tribes in American history, many have said Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanches, was a true Texas hero.

Photos that chronicle his life as he learned to blend two cultures by taking his mother’s family name and providing leadership to the Comanche people as they entered the 20th century will be on display at Frisco Heritage Museum from April 11 – May 27.

In addition to the Parker photo collection, enthusiasts will see the extensive display of Indian artifacts, such as knives, arrowheads, beadwork, and memorabilia provided byTexas historian and collector Doug Harman. Other artifacts, on loan from the International Museum of Cultures, include a native headdress and “touchable” buffalo hide objects.  Local collectors have contributed to the exhibit as well.

Two movies in which Quanah Parker played a role will be showing several times daily in the free museum theater. “The Searchers,” a 1956 movie starring John Wayne, was loosely based upon the story of Cynthia Ann Parker who was taken by Comanches at age nine from a Texas fort.  She grew up in the tribe and became the mother of Quanah.

“Indians of many different tribes frequented the area we now call Frisco long before it was a city,” said Heritage Association President Buddy Minnet.  “This was the blackland prairie of north central Texas where game was abundant.  What we know today as Preston Road was formerly an Indian footpath used by the Plains Indians following great buffalo herds into Texas.”  Preston Road was known by many different names, including the Shawnee Trail.

The Heritage Association of Frisco in partnership with Texas Republic Bank of Frisco and the Frisco Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is hosting the exhibit.  The Parker photo collection is managed by the Texas Historic Commission, Texas Lakes Trail Association.

Heritage Museum hours are Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.  Museum admission is $8 family; $4 adults; $2 children 5-11; free children 4 and under.  The museum, located at 6455 Page Streetin Frisco, is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

For more information 972-292-5665 or friscoheritage.org.

Thanks to Denise Stokes, PR/Communications Manager, Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, for submitting this article.

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