Trail News - National Park Service · • Mail form and check to: Trail of Tears Association 1100...

Newsletter of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Partnership August 2002 - Number 1

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLITTLE ROCK, AR

PERMIT 196

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

Trail News

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Inside this Issue

Partners Develop StrategicPlan........................................... 1

Message From Trail of TearsAssociation President............... 2

Acting SuperintendentNational Trails SystemOffice........................................ 2

Advisory Council Update......... 3

New Trail of TearsAssociation Employee.............. 3

Trail of Tears AssociationState Chapter News.............. 4-5

News From the AssociationOffice........................................ 6

National Park ServiceChallenge Cost-ShareProgram................................... 6

What is a CIP?......................... 7

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Certified Sites..... 7

Trail of Tears AssociationState Chapter Contacts........... 7

Dedication at the Vann House............................. 8

8th Annual National Scenic &Historic Trails Conference........ 8

7th Annual Trail of TearsAssociation Conference andSymposium:• Schedule.............................. 10 • General Information........... 11• Registration Form.......... INSERT

--PPPPRRRREEEEMMMMIIIIEEEERRRREEEE EEEEDDDDIIIITTTTIIIIOOOONNNN--

Partners Develop Strategic Plan for the Trail

Breakout groups explored a variety ofchallenges and solutions related to trailadministration, preservation, develop-ment, and interpretation.

Participants were pleased with the successof the meeting and the development ofgoals and objectives to identify the priori-ties for the Trail. Further work is stillneeded by the partners to develop Trail

significance and specific themes. The mostsignificant need identified for the Trailwas funding. An additional gathering willbe planned to develop a ComprehensiveInterpretive Plan for the Trail of TearsNational Historic Trail (See page 7).

Details of the strategic plan, priorities, andactions can be found on the Trail of TearsNational Historic Trail website at:www.nps.gov/trte.

A breakout group at the strategic planning meet-ing discusses goals for the Trail. Clockwise from left:Bill Woodiel, Duane King, Ed Henshaw, Bill Jones,Jim Wood, Herschel Price, and John Conoboy.

Strategic planning participants prioritize goals for the future course of the Trail. David Rabon (left),Cherokee Nation Historic Preservation Specialist; Bobbie Heffington (middle), Trail of Tears National HistoricTrail Advisory Council Chair; and Jerra Quinton (right), Trail of Tears Association Coordinator.

Trail of

TearsAssociation

“This is the first time such a meetingwas conducted, and, I believe, it hasprovided a clear direction in whichto focus all our efforts.”

The future course for the Trail of TearsNational Historic Trail was developed inMemphis this past June. Participants fromthe Trail of Tears Association, Trail ofTears National Historic Trail AdvisoryCouncil, and National Park Service metover the course of two days to discusspart nerships, trail administration, theFederal budget process, and numerousother trail-related topics.

NOTE: Conference activities will begin Tuesday night at 6pm with a reception. Registration will be from 3:00 – 6:00pm on Tuesday.

Wednesday

8:30 – 10:00am General Assembly Color Guard Presentation Welcome – TOTA President Chief, Cherokee Nation National Park Service

10:00 – 11:30am Concurrent Breakouts

11:30 – 1:00pm Lunch & Keynote Cherokee Choir

1:00 – 2:30pm Concurrent Breakouts


Registration 8am – 6pm

Evening Reception

Thursday

8:30 – 10:00am General Assembly Color Guard Presentation Trail of Tears NHT Update Keynote: Duane King


11:30 – 1:00pm Lunch on your own


3:00 – 4:30pm General Assembly Business Meeting Chapter Reports

Dinner on your own

Friday

TOURS

Cherokee Dinner

Stomp Dance

Trail of

TearsAssociation1100 N.University, Suite 143Little Rock, AR 72207-6344

MMaarrkk yyoouurr ccaalleennddaarr!!

12 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News

7th Annual Trail of Tears AssociationConference and Symposium

October 16 - 18, 2002Fort Smith, Arkansas

Tentative Schedule

Message from the Trail of Tears Association President

It is with pleasure that I introduce thefirst combined newsletter of the Trail ofTears Association and the National ParkService. This combined newsletter illus-trates the working together and partner-ship of the two organizations and therenewed effort of both to further theinterests of the Trail of Tears NationalHistoric Trail.

In June ofthis year, members of the Trailof TearsAssocia-tion, Nat- ional ParkService Trail ofTears AdvisoryCouncil, and staffof the National Park Service

met in Memphis to conduct a strategicplanning session. During this session allthree groups agreed to priorities of the

Trail and plans of action to implementthese priorities. This is the first time thatsuch a meeting was conducted, and, Ibelieve, it has provided a clear direction in which to focus all our efforts. (Seedetails of the meeting on the front page.)

Much has been accomplished in the lastfew months with members of our statechapters working with staff of theNational Park Service. A design charettefor the Cherokee Removal Memorial Parkat Blythe Ferry resulted in detailed con-ceptual plans for that site. Many of theitems in the plans may be completed instages, as funding becomes available. Acost-share funding from the National ParkService was used to help fund the exhibitsat the new interpretive center at the VannHouse near Chatsworth, Georgia. Meet-ings have been held with local officials ofChattanooga, Nashville, and North LittleRock to discuss how to tell the story ofthe Trail of Tears in those cities. Membersof the Association and staff of theNational Park Service attended thesemeetings. All of these efforts, as well asmany more, illustrate what can be donewhen we all work together as partners totell the story of the Trail of Tears.

Jack Baker,President of theTrail ofTears Association.

With this column, I send my initial greetingto you as Acting Superintendent of theNational Trails System Office-IntermountainRegion. The Intermountain Region admin-isters seven National Historic Trails (NHT)from offices in Santa Fe and Salt Lake City.Since 1995, I have been Superintendent ofthe Salt Lake City office. Before that, I hadkey roles in the management planning effort for the Trail of Tears NHT, and played a significant role in the management planfor the Santa Fe NHT.

My growing-up years occ urred on theGreat Plains of Nebraska. An early interestin American trails came about when I was aboy romanticizing about the three nationaltrails that crossed the farm where we lived.It developed further as I completed under-graduate and graduate degrees in Americanhistory, with an emphasis on expansion ofthe nation westward. On the faculty atSouthwest Missouri State University inSpringfield for 15 years, I taught in the fieldof western history. Of course, that entirearea of Missouri is rich with early roads and travelers, including several detachmentsof the Cherokee.

It is with muchanticipation that I undertakethis partnership with advocatesfor the Trail ofTears NHT. I look forward to renewing acquaintances with many ofyou who assisted with the Comprehensive

Management

and Use Plan for the Trail of Tears National

Historic Trail. In the near future, I will meetmany others of you who are active in mattersrelated to the trail. One such opportunitywill be at Fort Smith in October during theAssociation symposium.

Through my work with several other trailgroups the past 15 years, I know the impor-tance of advocating for protection of trailresources. It seems that trail resources areoften at risk of disappearing and vigilance

by all of us is critical. I am committed, as isthe Santa Fe staff, to protecting trail resourcesand seeking ways to further that mission.

Educational outreach to tell the stories ofeach trail is also extremely important. No other national historic trail has as com-pelling a story as the Trail of Tears.Embedded in the overall story are hun-dreds and hundreds of individual storiesthat help this generation and those in thefuture learn about that tragic chapter inour nation’s history. The Santa Fe staff hasbeen very active in working with manypartners to interpret the trail. I pledge tocontinue and expand that effort. Our part-nership on behalf of the Trail of Tears willcontinue and be strengthened. It is good tobe joining you.

Jere Krakow

Jere Krakow,Acting Superinten-dent for the National Trails SystemOffice - Intermountain Region.

Acting Superintendent, National Trails System Office - Intermountain Region


It is important that we as U. S. citizensremember the Trail of Tears. It is an exam-ple of what can happen when greed com-bines with prejudice. We need to remem-ber so that we can ensure that it does nothappen in the future. (It can happen now,as was seen so vividly in news accountsfrom Bosnia a couple of years ago.)

It is also important that those of us whoare citizens of the various Indian Nationsremember the Trail of Tears. It shows thatin spite of the great adversity of beingforcibly removed from our homes, we didsurvive. This is the true story of the Trailof Tears—one of survival.

I look forward to working with all of youto both protect Trail resources and to tellthe story of the Trail of Tears.

Jack D. Baker

77th AAnnnnuuaall TTOOTTAAConference and Symposium

October 16 – 18, 2002 Fort Smith, Arkansas

• Check-in: 3:00 pm• Check-out: Noon• 8 miles from Airport• Hotel shuttle service to and from

airport• Taxi fee from airport approx. $9.00• 4 miles from Cherokee Casino• Indoor pool• On-site fitness facility• Sauna• Whirlpool• Iron/ironing board• Coffee maker• Hairdryer

Some of the presentations you will find atthis year’s conference are:

Blue Clark, Ph.D.: “Creek Removal”

Ted Isham: “Creek Culture”

Duane King, Ph.D.: “Bell & Benge Routes”

Daniel Littlefield, Ph.D.: “North Little Rock Site”

Hastings Shade: “Cherokee Culture”

Lewis Stiles: “Research on Choctaw Removal”

Holiday Inn CityCenter

700 Rogers AvenueFort Smith, Arkansas

Special Conference Rates$59.00 + tax (13.375%) per night

Standard, Double, or KingCut-off date: September 27, 2002

FOR RESERVATIONSGroup Booking Code: TOT

(479) 783-1000OR

1-800-HOLIDAYMake sure to give hotel the groupbooking code above when makingreservations in order to receive thespecial conference rate.

REGISTRATION FEE RATESThis fee includes one lunch and two dinners.

EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATIONRECEIVED ON or BEFORE September 27, 2002 Member - $65.00 Non-member - $90.00 (includes membership)

LATE REGISTRATIONRECEIVED AFTER September 27, 2002 orON-SITE Member - $130.00 Non-member - $180.00 (includes membership)

BUS TOUR TO TAHLEQUAHThe conference will end on Friday, October 18, with a dayof touring that will include visits to the Cherokee HeritageCenter, the Murrell Home, several Cherokee Nationalbuildings, and Fort Gibson. On that day, Tahlequah willalso be hosting its First Annual Kanuche Festival. Thatevening the tour participants will join their fellowconferees at the Cherokee Heritage Center where theCherokee Nation will host a traditional Cherokee mealwhich will be followed by a Cherokee Stomp Dancedemonstration.

FEE: $50.00 (Includes transportation, lunch, and museum fees.)

All registration fees are non-refundable.

•• Make checks payable to: Trail of Tears Association

•• Mail form and check to: Trail of Tears Association 1100 N. University, Ste 143 Little Rock, AR 72207

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 11

The Oklahoma chapter continues to honorthose who were removed west on the Trailof Tears by placing a bronze marker on theirgrave stones. This was the first project of thechapter, and, since the beginning, a total of68 have been honored in 15 cemetery mark-ing ceremonies. This has only been possibledue to the dedicated committee of volun-teers who have spent countless hoursresearching the requests for these ancestorswho came on the Trail. The next markingwill be the grave of Red Bird Sixkiller inLocust Grove, Oklahoma, on August 30, 2002,at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contactCurtis Rohr at 918-341-4689, [email protected].

The chapter has recently begun work on thepublishing of its second book, which will bethe printing of the 1835 Cherokee census.This census was taken just prior to removal,and will be published in its entirety. Plansare to have it available in the near future.

Many of our members recently traveled tothe Eastern Cherokee homeland of Tennessee,North Carolina, and Georgia, to attend thededication of the new visitor center andmuseum at the James Vann House at SpringPlace, Georgia. The Moravian MissionCemetery was also re-consecrated at this

Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

Oklahoma

The Arkansas chapter has been busy in theyear 2002 researching several areas ofremoval, including removal routes of theChoctaw and Creek as well as the Cherokee.Members Leonard Bland and Dusty Helblinghave been steadily researching routes fromthe Fayetteville area to Cane Hill, and fromVan Buren into the Cherokee Nation, as wellas researching the location of Sequoyah'shome and the Dwight Mission north ofRussellville. Member Carolyn Kent hasbeen busy with her research on the roadfrom Grand Prairie to Cadron, which is theold Cadron-to-Arkansas-Post route takenby some Choctaw and Creek contingents ontheir way to Fort Smith. At a January chaptermeeting, Daniel Littlefield, President of theArkansas Chapter and Director andFounder of the American Native PressArchives (ANPA), discussed a site reportprepared by researchers from the ANPA ofCherokee removal through Pea RidgeNational Military Park, where the meetingwas held. At an April chapter meeting,Lewis Stiles of Eagletown, Oklahoma,spoke about his efforts to mark theChoctaw trail in McCurtain County,Oklahoma. Additionally, Leonard Blandspoke on Choctaw removal routes fromboth Little Rock and the southern part of Arkansas to Fort Towson.

The North Little Rock site—where removalparties from all five tribes passed through—has recently received much attention inArkansas. On May 1, representatives fromthe National TOTA, the NPS, the ArkansasChapter, the North Little Rock HistoricalSociety, the Arkansas Department ofHistoric Preservation, and the ChoctawNation met with Patrick Henry Hays,

Arkansas

mayor of North Little Rock, for prelimi-nary discussions aimed at certification andsubsequent development of the site.Follow-up meetings are tentativelyplanned. On April 20, members AmandaPaige and Fuller Bumpers made a presenta-tion on Creek removal through the NorthLittle Rock site at the UndergraduateResearch Conference held at HendersonState University in Arkadelphia.

The next chapter meeting will be in lateSeptember, and will coincide with a sympo-sium in Batesville, Arkansas, on Cherokeeremoval through Arkansas. Among thespeakers at the symposium will be membersBill Woodiel and Steve Saunders. ContactDan Littlefield at 501-945-3201, or [email protected], for more information.

The Georgia chapter's efforts to locate,confirm, and mark removal sights continue.Thanks to the NPS staff’s commitment toour goals and Research Chair Sarah Hill'sdiligence in developing a grant proposal,the State of Georgia will soon receive NPSchallenge cost-share funding. The fundswill facilitate a partnership with the Officeof the State Archaeologist (OSA) to com-plete a systematic review of all knownGeorgia removal site documentation, com-plete site visits with the OSA, refine exist-ing maps, prepare a report to the NPS to

encourage site certification, and produce adriving tour brochure. The report will alsoform the basis for the OSA's developmentof a preservation planning document. Thepast and future work of each chapterresearcher will contribute to these goals.

Other member contributions include thegenerous donation by Will Rogers of hisartwork honoring his Cherokee heritage,used to produce fundraising note cards;and Doug Mabry's presentations on theTOTA and the chapter at two productionsof a touring Trail of Tears drama.

Georgia

Thanks to research by Jeff Stancil and CharlesWalker, and the generous contribution of signageby J.B. Tate, the Georgia chapter recently markedits first removal site at Fort Newnan. Pictured leftto right: David Gomez, Jeff Stancil, Dola Davis,Patsy Edgar, Charles Walker, Jean Belew, J.B. Tate,and David Dailey.

Members of the Arkansas chapter visit Trail ofTears sites at Pea Ridge National Military Park.

time. Other places of importance to theCherokee that were visited are SouthwestPoint, the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum,Fort Loudoun, the Kituwah Town site, theVann House, Spring Place, Red Clay CouncilGrounds, and Brainerd Mission Cemetery.

4 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 9

1100 N. University, Suite 143Little Rock, AR 72207-6344

Name ______________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________

City ______________________ State ______ Zip _________

Phone (Day) ______________ (Evening) _______________

Email ______________________________________________

State Chapter(s) _____________________________________

State Chapters: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONTrail

ofTears

Association

Membership in theTrail of Tears Association

automatically includesmembership in one statechapter. Additional state

memberships are $10.00 each.

ANNUALMEMBERSHIP DUES

$25.00

Payments to the Trail of Tears Associationare tax deductible under section 501 (c) (3)of the Internal Revenue code.

Are you a member of the TOTA? If not, and you would like to support the efforts of TOTA,

please join Today!

The National Trails System Office - SantaFe (former Long Distance Trails GroupOffice) administers the Trail of TearsNational Historic Trail, the Santa FeNational Historic Trail, and the Route 66Corridor Preservation Program. El CaminoReal de Tierra Adentro National HistoricTrail is administered jointly by LODI andthe New Mexico State Office of theBureau of Land Management.

These trail and corridor programs areadministered in partnership withAmerican Indian tribes; federal, state,and local agencies; non-governmentorganizations; and private landowners.

National TrailsSystemOffice -Santa FePO Box 728Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504

Phone505-988-6888

[email protected]

The National Park Service cares for the specialplaces saved by the American people so thatall may experience our heritage.

National Park ServiceNational Trails System Office - Santa Fe

Trail of

TearsAssociation

Trail of TearsAssociation

Trail of TearsNational Historic Trail

Trail News is produced by the part-nership of the Trail of Tears Associationand the National Park Service NationalTrails System Office - Santa Fe.

Managing EditorAndrea Sharon

ContributorsJack Baker, Bobbie Heffington, PaulAustin, Jerra Quinton, Jere Krakow,John Conoboy, Andrea Sharon, and the Trail of Tears Association StateChapters.

Designers Andrea Sharon and Jerra Quinton

EditorJane Harvey

PhotographersAndrea Sharon, Harry Myers, JuliaAutry, and TOT Association Chapters

Comments and/or AddressChanges? Contact:Jerra QuintonThe Trail of Tears Association1100 N. University, Suite 143Little Rock, AR [email protected]

The Trail of Tears Association hasentered into a cooperative agreementwith the National Park Service to promoteand engage in the protection andpreservation of the Trail of Tears NationalHistoric Trail resources; topromote aware-ness of the Trail’s legacy, including theeffects of the U.S. Government’s IndianRemoval Policy on the Cherokee andother tribes; and to perpetuate themanagement and development tech-niques that are consistent with theNational Park Service’s trail plan.

Trail of Tears Association1100 North University, Suite 143Little Rock, Arkansas 72207

Phone800-441-4513501-666-9032

[email protected]

NOTE: Conference activities will begin Tuesday night at 6pm with a reception. Registration will be from 3:00 – 6:00pm on Tuesday.

Wednesday

8:30 – 10:00am General Assembly Color Guard Presentation Welcome – TOTA President Chief, Cherokee Nation National Park Service


11:30 – 1:00pm Lunch & Keynote Cherokee Choir



Registration 8am – 6pm

Evening Reception

Thursday

8:30 – 10:00am General Assembly Color Guard Presentation Trail of Tears NHT Update Keynote: Duane King


11:30 – 1:00pm Lunch on your own


3:00 – 4:30pm General Assembly Business Meeting Chapter Reports

Dinner on your own

Friday

TOURS

Cherokee Dinner

Stomp Dance

7th Annual Trail of Tears AssociationConference and Symposium

October 16 - 18, 2002 Fort Smith, Arkansas

Tentative Schedule

Trail of Tears National Historic Trailwayside exhibits at Fort SmithNational Historic Site.

Oral history inter-views in the visitorcenter at Fort SmithNational HIstoric Site.

Entry to the new Trail of Tears exhibits atthe Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah.

Tactile “Bead Wall” at Trail ofTears exhibits in Tahlequah.

Life-cast figures depicting travelalong the Trail of Tears.

Cherokee Supreme Courtbuilding in Tahlequah.

Cherokee Capitol building inTahlequah.

Just two months after graduating with aMasters of Tourism Administration, with a Concentration in Events Management,from George Washington University inWashington, D.C., I started working forthe Trail of Tears Association on February2, 2002. (I received a Bachelor of Arts inHistory from Lyon College in Batesville,Arkansas.) After hearing about the job, I knew this was the job for me! I hadalways been proud of my Cherokee ances-try, but this job really gave me the oppor-tunity to learn more about my heritageand to become more involved in preserv-ing it. In addition, not only does this joballow me to put my graduate degree touse, but also my undergraduate degree—which is wonderful considering the vastdifference between the two. My dreamhad come true!

Since starting this job, I have been busylearning all that I can about the organiza-tion and getting to know the members. I would like to thank all of you who havetaken the time to welcome me into thefold. Because of your time and efforts, this organization is taking off! With thecompletion of our strategic planningsession, I think we all now have commongoals, and our efforts are now comple-menting one another. As you can see withthe partnership involved in this newsletter,the National Trails System Office - SantaFe and the Trail of Tears Association are

working together to see that the NationalHistoric Trail comes to fruition.

Please feel free to contact me if there isanything I can do to aid in your efforts. Ican be reached by phone at 501-666-9032;FAX at 501-666-5875; or e-mail at:[email protected].

Jerra Quinton

New Employee Joins the Trail of Tears Association Office

Jerra Quinton, the new Trail of Tears AssociationCoordinator, is located in the Association’s officein Little Rock.

This newsletter is a combination of effortsby the Trail of Tears Association (TOTA)and the National Park Service’s NationalTrails System Office - Santa Fe (LODI).While visiting Santa Fe to discuss fundingfor the Association, Jack Baker, TOTAPresident, and staff members from TOTAsat down with staff from LODI to planthis new path in the partnership of thetwo offices. It is a first for both offices—the first time TOTA is putting out a news-letter and the first time LODI is combiningnewsletter efforts with one of its partners.This project is a prime example of therenewed dedication of both offices toremain open in communication and demon-states the synergy of the two offices afterthe June Strategic Planning Session.

Trail of Tears Association &National Park Service CombineNewsletters

The Trail of Tears Association meets with the National Park Service in Santa Fe to plan the com-bined newsletter. From left to right: Paul Austin,John Conoboy, Jerra Quinton, Jack Baker, andAndrea Sharon.

The first meeting of the Trail of TearsNational Historic Trail Advisory Councilwas held in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, inSeptember 1991. As the meeting progress-ed, the dedication of the members of theCouncil and their determination to see tothe preservation and development ofthe Trail of Tears National Historic Trailbecame apparent. That dedication hasnever wavered. In fact, dedication becamedetermination.

The incorporation of the Trail of TearsAssociation was a giant leap forward aschapters began todevelop in each state. Thelocal chapter meetings grew, and now wehave a wonderful annual meeting thatincludes field trips to Trail-related sites andscholarly papers giving all of us a chance to share new research with others.

The Association now has an office and a full-time staff person to assist each state chapter.

And we nowhave thisnew com-bined news-letterto allow usto shareinformationmore readily. The June strategicplanning meeting in Memphiswas a newchapter inTrail develop-

ment. It was the first joint planning meetingof all the Trail partners, and I think that weall left with a sense of excitement knowingthat we were in agreement as to what need-ed to be done, and clear as to what eachpartner could and should bring to the full

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Advisory Council Updatedevelopment of the Trail. We left thatmeeting with assignments and deadlines,and with that same determination anddedication that we had at the Tahlequahmeeting so many years ago!

I look forward to the strengthening ofthe partnership between the Trail of TearsNational Historic Trail Advisory Council,the Trail of Tears Association, and theNational Park Service, as we develop theTrail, interpret the stories, protect theresources, and commemorate this tragicevent in our nation’s histories.

I look forward to seeing all of you at theannual meeting in Fort Smith!

Bobbie Heffington

Bobbie Heffington, Chair, Trail ofTears National Historic TrailAdvisory Council.

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 310 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News

A dedication ceremony for the newly con-structed Robert E. Chambers InterpretiveCenter at the Vann House State HistoricSite was held in the morning of July 27,2002. The Vann House is a certified his-toric site for the Trail of Tears NationalHistoric Trail. The new visitor center wasthe culmination of years of work by theGeorgia Department of Natural Resourcesand the Friends of the Vann House.

Principal Chief LeonJones of the EasternBand of Cherokee Indians, and Principal Chief Chad Smith of

the Cherokee Nation

Partners Celebrate Dedication of New Visitor Center and Exhibits at the Vann House Site

were the keynote speakers for the event.Jack Baker, President of the Trail of TearsAssociation also spoke, and John Conoboy,Chief of Interpretation and ResourceManagement for the National Trails System

Challenge Cost-Share funding from the NationalPark Service helped to fund the new Trail of Tearsexhibits at the visitor center.

Office - Santa Fe gave a short presentationabout the Trail of Tears National HistoricTrail. The National Park Service providedChallenge Cost-Share Program fundingtoward the cost of the new exhibits in thecenter. Members of the Vann family alsoattended the ceremony. An afternoon cere-mony also took place at the site of theSpringplace Mission. Principal ChiefSmith laid a wreath at the location of thecemetery, which was recently discoveredby the Georgia State archeologist. Thecemetery site is now part of the VannHouse Historic Site.

“We are not a people of thepast. We are a people of thefuture.”

— Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, July, 2002

8th Conference onNational Scenic & Historic Trails

“Telling Our Trails’ Stories - Educating the World about

the National Trails System”

SPONSORED BY:The Partnership for the

National Trails SystemNational Park ServiceUSDA Forest ServiceBureau of Land ManagementFederal HighwayAdministrationAmerican Hiking Society

HOSTED BY:Trail of Tears AssociationCherokee Nation

October 17 - 21, 2002Holiday Inn City CenterFort Smith, Arkansas

For further details, contact:Partnership for the NationalTrails System @ 608-249-7870or [email protected]

The 8th National Scenic &Historic Trails Conferenceis an invitation to learntogether how to under-stand and express themany cultural perspectivesinherent in the NationalTrails System.

Principal Chief Chad Smith


Participants in traditional-Cherokee-dress celebrate the visitor center and exhibit openingat the Vann House.

In January, the NPS, the Tennessee Chapter,the Tennessee State Library and Archives,and the Tennessee Division of Archeologyhosted a workshop in Nashville, Tennessee,on the sections of the Bell and Benge Routesthat run through the state. Those in atten-dance included NPS staff from the SantaFe Office, the Arkansas Department ofHistoric Preservation, the Tennessee

Wanda Patterson joined the board as secretary. Marvin Sowder continues hisfruitful membership campaign, and DolaDavis continues her diligent efforts astreasurer. Additionally, Jean Belew arrangeda moving meeting for the chapter at theEtowah Mounds State Historic Site, wherethe chapter observed the threats of develop-ment to one of the most significant arche-ological sites in America. The chapter wrotethe Georgia Council on American IndianConcerns to voice concern for increaseddevelopment in the vicinity and to pledgesupport of the Council on behalf of theEtowah site.

On a sad note, we lost a friend and valuedresearcher in May. Martha Redus was atalented genealogist, always ready to shareher skills, and she will be sorely missed.

On a positive note, we enjoyed seeingmany TOTA members from other chaptersat the recent opening of the Vann HouseVisitor Center.

The next chapter meeting will be September21, 2002. For more information, contactJean Belew at 770-382-6676, [email protected].

The Missouri Chapter of the Trail of TearsAssociation will hold its next meeting onSaturday, August 10, 2002, at Fort DavidsonState Historic Site in Pilot Knob, Missouri.A board meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m.,with the membership meeting at 1:00 p.m.in the library. Members and friends of theTrail of Tears Association are encouragedto attend so that the Missouri Chapter maybegin building a database for use in futureresearch. Those who know of 19th-centurymaps of southern Missouri are encouragedto attend and bring copies of old maps orinformation about them. This will be aworking meeting, with members attempt-ing to locate possible trail routes on mapsfrom the Civil War era that are in thearchives at Fort Davidson.

For information on the August meeting,please contact the office of the MissouriChapter at the Trail of Tears State Park, 429Moccasin Springs Road, Jackson, Missouri63755; phone 573-334-1711; FAX 573-334-5162; or e-mail Hershel Price [email protected].

Department of Transportation, and theTennessee Historical Commission.

On February 2, Cherokee Indian HeritageDay was held in Birchwood, Tennessee,where member Shirley Lawrence,Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief HastingsShade, and cultural presenter and story-teller Sammy Still spoke. Lawrence gave a presentation on the progress of theCherokee Removal Memorial Park, whereCherokees and Creeks camped duringremoval. The conceptual design and appli-cations for funding have been completed,while grants to complete construction documents for the project have beenreceived. The Tennessee Chapter of TOTA,along with the Friends of the CherokeeRemoval Memorial and the ChattanoogaIndigenous Resource Center and Library(CIRCL), held a reception for HastingsShade and Sammy Still while they were intown for the celebration.

In March, researchers from the chapterwere busy assisting NPS staff in identifyingsignificant sites in Hamilton County in aneffort to educate Chattanooga City leadersabout the significance of the sites to theTrail of Tears National Historic Trail beforethe city started redevelopment of thesesites, which would affect any plans forinterpretation of Ross' Landing. A paneldiscussion, hosted by CIRLC, was heldMay 3 in Chattanooga, where theTennessee chapter had the opportunity toexplain the TOTA mission to the riverfrontdecision-makers. As it stands now, paper-work is being completed to certify Ross'Landing as an official TOTNHT site.

In May, members Bill and Agnes Jonestoured Moccasin Bend and LookoutMountain with Fran Mainella, Director of the NPS. Members from the chapteralso toured part of the Northern Routewith staff from the Chattanooga Times Free

Press as a prelude to their project of fol-lowing the route from Tennessee toOklahoma.

The next chapter meeting is scheduled forearly November in West Tennessee.

From left to right: Shirley Lawrence, Doris TateTrevino, Bill Jones, Steve Burns, and Vicki Rozemadiscuss research and trail development opportuni-ties in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

Georgia (continued)

National Park Service Director Fran Mainella (middle) and Congressman Zach Wamp (right) visitMoccasin Bend with chapter members and NationalPark Service staff at the dedication of the Blue Trailalong the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.

Missouri

Tennessee


Contact Floyd Ayers at 931-967-9275, [email protected], for more information.

Updates from the Trail of Tears Associationstate chapters will routinely appear infuture issues of this newsletter. ContactJerra Quinton, Trail of Tears AssociationCoordinator, at 501-666-9032, to submitinformation and photographs.

Professional interpreters use a variety ofprocesses to plan and develop services andmedia products to help visitors gain a betterunderstanding of and appreciation for anatural and/or cultural resource. In theNational Park Service (NPS), that processis called a CIP or Comprehensive

Interpretive Plan.

Developing a CIP involves all the stake-holders gathering together to develop aneffective framework for strategically

Certified Sites

Museum of the Cherokee Indian, NCVann House Historic Site, GANew Echota State Historic Site,GATrail of Tears State Park, MOTrail of Tears Commemorative Park, KYLake Dardanelle State Park, ARRed Clay State Historic Area, TNSequoyah Birthplace Museum, TNThe Tennessee River Museum, TNChattanooga Regional History

Museum, TNCherokee Heritage Center, OK

Pending Certifications

Brainerd Mission Cemetary, TNCoke Ovens Museum Trail Segments, TNCity of Chattanooga trail routes and

historic sites, TNAudubon Acres Spring Frog Cabin, TNJohn Brown Tavern, TNChieftains Museum/Ridge Home, GACherokee County Historical Museum, NCGeorge M. Murrell House, OK

Federal Protection Components

Cherokee Removal Memorial Park -Blythe Ferry, TVA land, TN

Mark Twain National Forest, MOShawnee National Forest, MOPea Ridge National Military Park,Fort Smith National Historic Site, AR

envisioning, organizing, justifying, anddelivering interpretive services that achievethe desired outcome of interpretation. Inthe NPS, the desired outcome is to increasevisitor understanding and appreciation ofthe significances inherent in the site’sresources.

Freeman Tilden, considered to be the“father of modern interpretation,” statedthat, “Through interpretation comesunderstanding. Through understanding

ArkansasDan Littlefield1206 Eureka GardenNorth Little Rock, AR 72117e-mail: [email protected]: 501-569-3161 (day)

501-945-3201 (evening)

GeorgiaPatsy Edgar546 East Wesley Road, NEAtlanta, GA 30305e-mail: [email protected]: 404-331-2265 (day)

404-261-3368 (evening)

North CarolinaMary Ann ThompsonPO Box 181Murphy, NC 28906e-mail: [email protected]: 828-837-6152

TennesseeLee Trevino460 Tate RoadSewanee, TN 37375email: [email protected]: 931-598-5953

MissouriHershel Price1958 Hill RoadJackson, MO 63755email: [email protected]: 573-334-1711 (day)

573-651-5209 (evening)

OklahomaCurtis Rohr24880 South 4106 RoadClaremore, OK 74017Phone: 918-341-4689

comes appreciation, and through apprecia-tion comes preservation.” Is this the goal weare all ultimately working towards?

One of the action items from the strategicplanning meeting in Memphis this pastJune, was to develop a CIP for the Trail ofTears National Historic Trail. To learnmore about the CIP process and to see anexample of a completed plan, visit the Trailwebsite at: www.nps.gov/trte.

Trail of Tears AssociationState Chapter Contacts

Vision Becoming Reality - Developing the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Through Partnerships


Despite this tragic event in our Nation’shistory, the Cherokee and other South-eastern tribes built successful communitiesthat exist today. Old traces, historic build-ings, and other sites are being preserved tocommemorate the sorrowful journey.

A variety of local, state, and nationalefforts have commenced to preserve andinterpret Trail resources. A growing aware-ness of this important story—and those ofother removed tribes— has stimulatedinterest to nationally recognize this chapterin our Nation’s past. The Trail of TearsNational Historic Trail tells of theCherokee’s ordeal—but many tribes cantell similar stories.

In 1987, Congress acknowledged the sig-nificance of the Trail by establishing theTrail of Tears National Historic Trail. TheNational Park Service administers the Trailin cooperation with federal, state, andlocal agencies; the Cherokee Nation andthe Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians;interested groups; and private landowners.

The Trail of Tears National Historic TrailAdvisory Council, the Trail of TearsAssociation, and the National Park ServiceNational Trails System Office -Santa Fehave all been working with Trail partnersto increase visibility for the Trail and todevelop it for visitor use. Additional siteshave been certified and numerous on-the-ground projects, such as signs marking theroute, interpretive waysides exhibits, andinterior museum exhibits at existing facili-ties, have been completed. Many more arebeing planned.

What Is a CIP?

As you read through the manyprojects mentioned in thisnewsletter, you might noticethat quite a few are receivingfunding from the NationalPark Service Challenge Cost-Share Program. Your projectmight qualify, too. Give us acall and we can send you aproject proposal form andinstructions.

If you have a possible project,contact John Conoboy by mailor phone (505-988-6888) rightaway.

resource protection, manage-ment, visitor use facilities,interpretation, education, orresearch. Projects require a50/50 match of Federal andnon-Federal funding. How-ever, the non-Federal matchcan include the value ofvolunteer time and other in-kind services, donated equip-ment and supplies, and soforth. If you're not surewhether or not your projectwill qualify, call us anyway,and let's talk.

$$$$ $$$$ Challenge Cost-SharChallenge Cost-Share Pre Program - 2003ogram - 2003 $$$$$$$$

Project proposals should be received atthe National Trails System Office - Santa Fe by

January 31, 2003.

News from the Association Office

Projects should support theprograms and goals of theTrail of Tears National HistoricTrail as set forth in the Com-prehensive Management andUse Plan.

Remember, Challenge Cost-Share funds are not a grant,but rather are funds for mutu-ally-agreed-upon national his-toric trail projects.

Site-specific projects can gener-ally only be funded for certifiedsites. Projects can be related to


What an exciting time for the Trail of TearsAssociation! Our first newsletter! Newchapters forming! A new Superintendentfor the Trail of Tears National HistoricTrail! Our first full time employee! Chapteractivities are at their highest! A visionaryplanning session with the National ParkService! Another exciting conference andsymposium coming in October! The visionwe all have for the Trail of Tears NationalHistoric Trail is beginning to take shape—and it looks great!

So, what will the Trail of Tears look like in10 years? I think everyone will agree thatvisitors to the Trail of Tears NationalHistoric Trail should have the opportunityfor an experience with the trail in each ofthe nine states. There should be at leasttwo places in each state for the public tolearn about the Trail of Tears, not just thestory of the Trail, but something specific tothe site. What happened there and why?What was the impact of the occurrence tothe overall story of the Trail, to the story ofremoval, and to the story of the UnitedStates? Then one could truly travel the

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail andcome away with a better understandingof what really happened and its role inAmerican history.

Jack, Jerra, and I recently returned fromAlabama, where we met with TOTAmembers interested in forming anAlabama Chapter. Our meeting wasattended by over 20 members and result-ed in the formation of an organizingcommittee. The committee has alreadymet once and is working with Jerra todevelop their by-laws, schedule a chaptermeeting, and elect their board and offi-cers. Our next project is to meet inIllinois to get their chapter going andthen to wind up in Kentucky which willgive us chapters in all the states that theTrail of Tears passes through.

This newsletter is a part of a ChallengeCost-Share project funded by theNational Park Service. The project willresult in the newsletter, a journal ofIndian removal studies, and a plan for thedevelopment of an association website.

We hope to start with two issues of thenewsletter this year, possibly more in 2003.We will have chapter reports in every issueas well as current Trail of Tears news,including research activities, National ParkService updates, and partnership news.

Please pay particular attention to the infor-mation about the 2002 TOTA Conferenceand Symposium being held in Fort Smith,Arkansas. You do not want to miss whatpromises to be an excellent event. So, sendyour registrations in on time and be sure tosign up for the tour.

See you in Fort Smith!

Paul Austin

The vision we all have for theTrail of Tears National HistoricTrail is beginning to takeshape—and it looks great!

Trail News - National Park Service · • Mail form and check to: Trail of Tears Association 1100...

Documents

Transcript of Trail News - National Park Service · • Mail form and check to: Trail of Tears Association 1100...