Indianz.Com > News > Chuck Hoskin: Plan in place to improve and enhance Cherokee Heritage Center
Plan in place to improve and enhance Cherokee Heritage Center
Monday, October 5, 2020
Cherokee Nation
In 1963, a forward-thinking group of Cherokees and allies formed the Cherokee National Historical Society. Their vision was to create a space to protect the cultural assets and history of the Cherokee Nation. They began by opening a living Cherokee history site known as the Ancient Village in 1967, and they opened the current museum in 1974. Collectively known as the Cherokee Heritage Center, the attraction has entertained and educated visitors from across the globe for more than 50 years.
The Cherokee Heritage Center is located on the grounds of the former Cherokee National Female Seminary, and is home to the largest collection of Cherokee-specific historic tribal documents and cultural treasures from the 1700s through present day. It also houses a popular genealogy library.
On any given day, center visitors can explore their Cherokee heritage, attend a class, play traditional games, or learn about pre- and post-removal history, Cherokee agriculture, clan structure and the first bilingual Native newspaper. In this special place, the Cherokee story is told from the Cherokee perspective, using a variety of exhibits, technology and hands-on experiences.
Up to this point, the Cherokee Heritage Center has operated as an independent entity, under the direction of a board and the Cherokee National Historical Society. While it initially thrived, economic downturns and changes in public entertainment consumption across the decades have left the center at a crossroads. Cherokee Nation has always been a great partner to the heritage center, funding a substitutional amount of its operations over the past two decades. Between the tribal government and Cherokee Nation Businesses, we have contributed more than $20 million to the center over the past two decades.
However, because this site is critical to sharing our culture with the public and serving as a repository for so much of our history, we recently took a bold step to secure its long-term future.
Chuck Hoskin Jr. is the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian tribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from 1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe’s Secretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the Cherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.
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