Cherokee Nation Tahlequah Under 3 hours east of OKC The people, culture and traditions of the Cherokee Nation have helped shape northeast Oklahoma for generations. With a strong value for public art, thanks in part to the support of First Lady January Hoskin, the Cherokee Nation capital of Tahlequah is the perfect cultural destination for families to enjoy a day trip or stay for a week to take in all the area has to offer. The Cherokee National History Museum, which offers free admission, provides both indoor and outdoor public art experiences. A two-story, multidimensional art installation called Turtle Island Migration in one of the stairwells gives all visitors, but especially kids, an understanding of the limitless capabilities of public art and the people who create it. The piece was created by a team of five Cherokee artists, Cherokee National Treasures Bill Glass, Jr., Dan Mink and Demos Glass and MaryBeth Timothy and David Chaudoin. “You are enveloped and part of the installation — you’re not just looking at a framed photo but seeing a story illustrated in front of your eyes,” said Owens. Located in the original Cherokee National Capitol building, the museum’s immersive, hands-on, multimedia exhibits take visitors from the past to the present, starting with the Cherokee origin story, transporting them through forced removal on the Trail of Tears via the voices of the Cherokee people who lived it and bringing them to the vitality of the Nation today. Visitors can also study the Cherokee syllabary and take lessons in authentic arts and crafts. Nearby and slated to open in summer 2021, a Cherokee art park and cultural pathway will serve as both a public art destination in itself and a pedestrian-friendly walkway connecting a variety of attractions in the historic capital. “We’ll bring the museum experience outside the walls into the public with outdoor, immersive art, statues, rotating displays and the opportunity for the public to participate with chalk art on metal walls,” said Owens. “We are looking forward to future programming like outdoor art experiences, festivals, storytellers, live music and small art markets.” The park and pathway will be an ever-evolving project so families will see something new each time they visit. Nearby: The Cherokee Nation owns and operates several museum sites in downtown Tahlequah, all of which can be accessed by the new art park and cultural pathway, including the Cherokee National Prison Museum and Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum as well as attractions such as the Spider Gallery and Cherokee Arts Center. In addition, opportunities to explore the outdoors include floating the Illinois River, fishing or boating on Lake Tenkiller or Lake Fort Gibson and hiking the JT Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve or Sparrowhawk Hiking Trails. Other cultural destinations just a short drive away include the John Ross Museum in Park Hill, Sequoyah’s Cabin Museum in Sallisaw and Saline Courthouse Museum in Rose.
TURTLE ISLAND MIGRATION IN THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM. COURTESY OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.
CHEROKEE NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM. COURTESY OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.
SEQUOYAH’S CABIN MUSEUM IN SALLISAW. COURTESY OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.
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