Muskogee Chapter & Verse

Muskogee Chapter & Verse draws its identity from the unique cultural confluence of its hometown, where the histories of the Five Civilized Tribes, African American communities, and working-class white Oklahomans have intertwined for over a century. The store's multi-tribal literature section represents authors from the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole Nations, reflecting Muskogee's historical role as the administrative center for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in eastern Oklahoma. The African American history section documents the Black experience in Oklahoma, from the all-Black towns of the territorial era to the contemporary civil rights struggles that continue to shape the state. The music section pays tribute to Muskogee's musical heritage, from Merle Haggard's famous anthem to the gospel and blues traditions that have deep roots in the region. The cafe serves sweet tea and cornbread, and the store's front porch becomes a gathering spot on warm evenings when local musicians perform acoustic sets alongside poetry readings.