Cherokee Nation Museum - Tahlequah, OK
On a recent day trip, my wife and I traveled to Tahlequah in search of some Cherokee Nation historical sites. These consist of a walking path through town with various historical markers and Cherokee Nation Museums along the way.
The Cherokee people, after being removed from their homeland in the southern east coast states, resettled in the northeastern portion of what is now Oklahoma. The removal process caused a fracture within the native tribe, as some chose to move west before they were forcibly removed. The Treaty Party, a minority group of Cherokees, signed the US government’s treaty and made the journey to their newly assigned territory. The Patriot Party, led by John Ross chose to challenge the treaty and fought it all the way to the Supreme Court. They ultimately lost and were forced to make the journey to their new lands. This forced removal became known as the Trail of Tears. Upon joining the others, they quickly reunited and ratified the Cherokee Nation Constitution in 1839 at Tahlequah, their new capitol.
The Cherokee Nation Capitol Building was completed in 1869 and served as the center of government for the Cherokee Nation until 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. It was designated a Historical Landmark in 1961 and went through a restoration project in 2013. It has now been revived to its original appearance and houses the Cherokee National History Museum.
The exhibits were insightful and well done. The upper level was a unique walk through the known Cherokee timeline. I did not take a lot of interior photos out of respect for the subject matter and other viewers. This museum alone would have been worth the trip. However, there was more to see.
The search for the walkway was a bit cumbersome, but we eventually located the starting point. The Tahlequah History Trail largely follows Tahlequah Creek, is just under two miles and includes 26 historical sites. We exited the trail around the Capitol Square which houses the replica structure of the Indian Council of 1843.
The original Cherokee Nation Supreme Court building was built in 1844 and is the oldest government building in Oklahoma. Inside exhibits include historical judicial information, as well as a printing press and displays of early Cherokee Nation publications.
The Cherokee Cultural Pathway, a well landscaped walkway with various sculptures and artwork, leads the way from the court house to the Cherokee Prison Museum.
The gallows, still standing behind the prison, were a stark reminder of the swift and somber justice of the time. Other exhibits displayed the history of both Cherokee lawmen and Cherokee prisoners.
We had a small trek back to the car and decided to return through old downtown Tahlequah. The town is also home to Northeastern State University, making the downtown area a unique blend of historical aesthetics and a trendy vibe. We may have to go back to visit some of the shops and dining in the area.
This was a great day trip and highly recommended. Learning what the Cherokee people endured, along with their resolve to continue a strong nation is incredible and sobering. This is my wife’s heritage, and it was a memorable time experiencing this with her.
And, of course, any trip in that general direction requires a stop at The Peach Barn on the way back.
