The beautiful Sundial Mansion in Oklahoma City is getting a new life. A nearly 105-year-old Mediterranean villa will now be the permanent headquarters for a national project that honours Native American leaders. This is a story about history, fast fundraising, tribal teamwork and a new home for voices that deserve to be remembered across the country.
Sundial Mansion
Built in 1919, the Sundial Mansion sits on a generous plot and stands out with white columns, a curved staircase and classic Mediterranean details. The house has four levels, about 5,000 square feet and 14 rooms. It already appears on the National Register of Historic Places, and its new role gives the building a purpose that honours many communities rather than just one family.
National Native American Hall of Fame — a national mission finds a permanent roof
The Hall of Fame recognises contemporary Native Americans who have made lasting contributions in fields such as medicine, education, culture, politics and sports. Until now, the organisation kept displays at the First Americans Museum under a short lease. Moving into the Sundial Mansion gives the Hall of Fame a stable place to keep artefacts, run programs and host meetings — but it won’t be a big tourist museum. Instead, it will be a working headquarters with displays, educational material and spaces for symposiums and workshops.
James Parker Shield — the founder’s quick decision and the art of the deal
Founder James Parker Shield saw the listing and knew this house was right. Fundraising was not fully ready, so he turned to financing and tribal partners to close the deal quickly. The purchase shows how leadership, speed and relationships can come together to save an opportunity. Shield’s story of standing at the bank and watching a last-minute wire arrive makes for a dramatic moment — and one that secured the building hours before closing.
Tribal partners and community support
The buying plan mixed the group’s own money with loans and support from tribes. Financing came from Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Sovereign Bank. Additional gifts and pledges came from tribes in California and other places, including the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, the Pechanga Band of Indians and the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians. The tribal backing shows how Native nations can make quick, decisive investments in projects that matter to many people.
Plans for the mansion — practical changes, not a palace showpiece
The team has already sanded and refinished hardwood floors, re-carpeted the big curved stair, and re-tiled verandas. Shield says the swimming pool will be filled in and turned into a small theatre for films, interviews and talks — a practical step to avoid the wrong impression when fundraisers visit. Longer-term plans include building additions so the Hall can create full exhibits for each inductee and host larger events.
Why Oklahoma City was chosen
Oklahoma sits at the heart of Indian Country with many tribes based there or with deep ties to the state. Shield wanted somewhere central and accessible for tribal leaders across the U.S., and Oklahoma City offered those connections and a supportive community. The Hall will continue holding annual induction ceremonies — often at the First Americans Museum — while keeping permanent collections at the Sundial Mansion.
Content overview
| Item | Short note |
|---|---|
| New HQ | Sundial Mansion (built 1919) becomes permanent Hall of Fame home. |
| Founder | James Parker Shield led the quick purchase and fundraising push. |
| Tribal support | Financing and gifts from Citizen Potawatomi Nation and several California tribes. |
| Use | Office space, displays, small theatre, symposiums — not a large museum. |
| Opening | Grand opening planned for June 6 with tribal leaders and city officials. |
What visitors and tribes can expect
- Permanent displays about Hall of Fame inductees and their achievements.
- Educational resources and curriculum materials for schools.
- Meeting space for tribal, public and private conversations.
- Special events, films and workshops in the converted theatre.
A realistic home, with respect for history
The mansion is handsome and historic, but the team wants practical use over luxury. That is why floors were restored and porch tiles repaired. Converting the pool into a theatre is a small but meaningful change — it turns a leisure feature into a learning space. The Hall plans future additions for larger exhibits once the initial displays settle in.
The Sundial Mansion’s new role as the National Native American Hall of Fame headquarters is a hopeful example of swift community action and careful planning. This project honours contemporary Native leaders while giving tribes a central place to gather, teach and remember. By combining tribal financing, quick decision-making and respectful restoration, the Hall’s team secured a permanent home that is both historic and practical.
The centre will serve—not as a flashy tourist spot—but as a working hub for education, ceremonies and conversations that help preserve and celebrate Native American achievement across the United States. Its June opening promises local pride and national attention, and the organisation’s steady plans for exhibits and programming mean the mansion will become a quiet but powerful place for telling stories that long needed a permanent home.
