Kaw Indian Agency (Kaw Nation Council House) Historic Structure Report

Sikes Abernathie Architects, P.C.

This report was funded in part by a Save America's Treasures grant to the Sovereign Nation of the Kaw-Kanza (grant number 40-10-NA-4050). From the executive summary: "The primary purposes for this historic structures report is to provide a cultural and physical background in conjunction with a current conditions assessment for the Kaw National Council House located near Kaw City, Oklahoma on the Kaw Nation reservation. The report will attempt to provide treatment recommendations for any potential projects. The recommended use for the Kaw Nation Council House is as a council house and meeting room for the Nation's business and cultural events. This use allows for the rehabilitation of the existing exterior to maintain the remaining historic fabric, most notably the stone facade and simple rectilinear shape that characterize the building. The recommended treatment on the interior is to rehabilitate the spaces through repair along with accessibility for the entire building so that all patrons will have access. Relocation of exposed mechanical, electrical and plumbing should also be provided in a more sensitive way to the historic character while maintaining modern conveniences. Repairs should also be made to restore the simply detailed plaster surfaces to pre-damaged/deteriorated conditions in the areas where settlement has cracked or water has deteriorated the surface. Peeling paint should be removed and new paint applied to protect the interior surfaces. Doors and windows should be restored to reflect the character of the building's period of significance. This would entail replacing the front and rear doors with style and rail doors based on historic information and potentially replacing the sashes of the windows with divided light sashes to best match the photographic record of the building. Continued research and testing is recommended and should continue to evolve the approach for materials, finishes and interpretation of not only the Council House, but this site. It is also recommended that further investigation be put into the original site located near the reservoir in the old town site of Wah-shun-gah as there may be more information about the original building and the way the building has been used. Further material testing will allow the Nation the ability and knowledge to repair and maintain this facility in the future. While Kaw Nation has done extensive research with regard to the Council House; continued research can only help to illuminate existing information and provide additional information for the preservation of the historic fabric in this structure moving forward."

Kaw Indian Agency (Kaw Nation Council House) Historic Structure Report

Collections