cherokee heritage center

736NancyB

My sister and I travelled to Oklahoma for some family research. Being of Cherokee descent we always wanted to visit where I grandpa and his family lived. We were not disappointed in the Cherokee Heritage Center. We learned alot more about how the Cherokee lived in the 1700's - way before the trail of tears. This was an eye opening experience. We enjoyed it very much. My only suggestion would be to visit in summer months when all their tour guides are available. I feel we received the shorter version of the tour and only got to see a minimum of what should have been available - if you pay for a tour you should get the full tour.

MikeS571

I enjoyed the visit to the museum and speak with staff. My wife enjoyed petting the horses. I enjoyed reading and learning more about the center/museum.

aspenbc

The outdoor villages set up here are well worth the trip. Allow at least 1 1/2 hours for the visit. If you do the hands on things inside the museum, you will need even more time.

PatrickP258

This is an experience that is well worth going out of your way for, especially if you drive on beautiful Highway 10 to the north or Highway 62 to the east in October. The museum is small but evocative and the guided tour of 18th century society and technology was outstanding. The guides not only could explain the houses, pottery, weapons and baskets, but put them in their historical context.

rtr408

Went to the Cherokee Heritage Center with my mother and stepfather on a Saturday morning. For someone with very little exposure to the Native American experience, the museum and grounds were informative and well done.We began with an outdoor walking tour through a village. Our guide was very knowledgable and pleasant. He was never in a hurry and brought personal experiences into his stories. One thing that stuck with me from this part of the tour were the summer homes and winter homes built side-by-side, each with their own architecture.The outdoor tour lasted about an hour, then we did a self-guided tour through the indoor museum. These exhibits focus primarily on the relocation of many tribes to Oklahoma, what is now the Indian Nation. This is tough stuff, and the museum doesn't shy away from this tragic history. The statues representing families on the Trail of Tears was especially moving.All in all the Cherokee Heritage Center is well worth the time spent to tour this well-designed and executed museum.

L6504WIamym

The interpreters were knowledgeable and willing to share. One really gets the sense of typical life of the times. Nothing fancy or flashy but an honest, thoughtful experience.

L6504WIamym

We arrived on a day when there were hundreds of young students. The staff was patient and shared their knowledge well. Really added a nice dimension to the day. The research staff is always helpful.

juliah882

This is definitely a must see place! Very informative for any age. The village and settlement recreations are impressive and the staff is very informative. I wouldn't mind coming back for a visit again. The Trail of Tears exhibit is interactive and has information I had never been taught in school.

we2love2travel1

We arrived 4-minutes before the 11:30am tour and we so glad we made it! Dan was our guide and the tour lasted 1-hour. The 1700's Cherokee Village was very educational and interesting. The museum with the "Trail of Tears" was very informative.

CelesteA717

My family took an 11 hour road trip to visit family this summer. We decided to try and find some Native American sights to stop and tour on our trip thru Oklahoma. I found this place on the Oklahoma state tourism website. It was DEFINITELY worth it! It has a nice (small) museum on the trail of tears, and other native American history. What is amazing is the 18th century (1700's) Cherokee village. You take a guided tour, given by a native Cherokee. View summer/winter structures. See pottery, woven items, basket weaving, bow/arrow making and shooting areas, plus a demonstration of stick ball. They also have a 19th century village with school house, store, blacksmith, etc. We stopped for an hour break from driving with a 3 and 5 year old, and stayed over 3 hours. My kids had fun, and so did my husband and I.

N9473QXSarah_S

LOVED this place. The village they have set up from the 1700's is so realistic. Our guide was Zach, and he was spectacular. I learned so much, and he was good at explaining how so many things we THOUGHT we knew, were false. The Cherokee people were very civilized, respectful people, not brutes. I loved this tour. The museum was neat too, I just wish I had planned for a bit MORE time the read all the information in the museum, namely the Trail Of Tears exhibit. Very moving.

QueenofdiamondsTulsa

I took my grandsons (ages 9 and 6) to the Cherokee Heritage Historical Society and Museum. My older grandson is very interested in the Trail of Tears. The museum has a village made up of a school house, church, home, smoke house, etc. A guide tells all about life in the "olden days." The Cherokee Village is made up of different types of homes made and used by the Cherokee. It is a guided tour and very informative. We were shown weaving, stick ball, arrow heads and bows and arrows. All of these activities were presented by Native Americans with explanations as to how they were used. The museum itself is full of Native American art along wth stories regarding the Trail of Tears. It is a wonderful place to visit especially if you are interested in Oklahoma and Native American Territory.

MarsOrbiter

The indoor museum gives a good overview of the history of the Cherokee in pictures, sculpture, and artifacts with short texts telling the story of the "Trail of Tears". But the real attraction for us was the guided tour of Diligwa. It's a recreation of village life and traditions circa 1710. Our female Cherokee tour guide gave a thoroughly engaging, interesting, humorous, fascinating glimpse into the architecture, art, finger weaving, bow and arrow making, basket weaving, clans, councils, and traditions of that time. If you have a stereotype image of native culture, you will be challenged to realize what a great community of learning and governing and creativity and building and achievement the Cherokee had created. Don't miss this opportunity to learn.

Mamaofonefantasticgirly2003

Went with my 11 yr old. Best time in Tahlequah hands down! So informative, and the experience of the trail of tears exhibit just shakes you to the core. Take the time to stop by, you won't be disappointed !

DancingBear53

Do the guided tour. It is excellent! The guide we had had actually learned to competently perform the old skills. He knew how things were done because he did them regularly! Loved it!