Constructed in 1936 by the Indian Emergency Conservation Work force as part of the New Deal's economic relief during the Great Depression, this building has served from its opening as a cultural and social hub for the Ponca tribal community. In its early years, women canned garden vegetables and sewed here, Tribal Council members met here to carry out their duties, traditional dances were held in the main room, and education was central to many activities. Today it remains a central fixture in Ponca life, hosting gatherings for weddings and funerals and housing the Culture Department and Tribal Museum. Embodying the resiliency and determination of the Ponca Tribe, it was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and stands as a representation of tribal community strength and history.