First Americans Museum

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The First Americans Museum (FAM) in Oklahoma City is a cultural landmark dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Native American tribes from their own perspectives. The museum’s mission is to provide an immersive and educational experience through exhibitions, events, and interactive programming. To modernize its technology and enhance visitor engagement, FAM partnered with Ford AV to upgrade its audiovisual systems across the facility.

The Challenge

The museum’s challenge was to capture and convey the heartfelt, personal stories of Native American communities. While much of the infrastructure outside the galleries still ran on early 2000s systems, the goal was to create an environment where every narrative could shine through immersive audiovisual storytelling.

“Curators, directors, and everyone here has poured their heart and soul into telling the Native American story from their own point of view.”

The Solution

Ford AV partnered closely with Waystone LLC to deliver an advanced audiovisual system, with a standout feature: a custom-designed DVLED video wall. Developed in collaboration with the museum team, this unique display technology became the heart of the transformation—providing a visually immersive platform that brings personal and family stories to life. In addition to the DVLED wall, several other enhancements were implemented, including:

Exchange Theater: Upgraded lighting and an enhanced sound system to create an immersive storytelling environment.
Hall of People & Festival Plaza: High-performance audio systems delivering crisp, clear sound for events and gatherings.
Flexible Learning Spaces: Advanced AV solutions integrated into classrooms and multipurpose suites to support educational programs.
FAM Theater: A fully equipped small theater designed for community performances, film screenings, and cultural showcases

The Results

The innovative DVLED wall, along with the comprehensive technology upgrades, has transformed the First Americans Museum into a vibrant hub for storytelling, education, and community engagement. Visitors now experience Native American narratives in an immersive, dynamic format that honors the deep personal and cultural heritage of each story. The upgrades support a wide range of museum functions, from cultural performances to educational programming, ensuring the facility remains a vibrant hub for the community.

“I have used Ford on multiple projects and I’ve always had a great experience with them. When it came to doing this, I instantly thought of Ford because I knew that they would get the job done. The people at Ford gave their all and it was a beautiful, beautiful thing to see.”

Conclusion

By integrating modern AV technology with the museum’s cultural vision, Ford AV helped transform the First Americans Museum into a premier destination for education, storytelling, and community engagement. The successful collaboration underscores Ford AV’s expertise in delivering technology solutions that honor history while embracing the future.