Welcome To Cherokee Trail Of Tears Commemorative Park Located In Hopkinsville KY
This historic park is one of the few documented sites of actual trail and campsites used during the forced removal of the Cherokee people to "Indian Territory". It was used as an encampment in 1838 and 1839. This park is the burial site for two Cherokee Chiefs who died during the removal - Fly Smith and Whitepath. This long, cruel relocation has become known as the "Trail Of Tears" and by Native Americans as "The Trail Where They Cried". In December 1987, President Ronald Reagan signs a bill creating the Trail Of Tears as a National Historical Trail and Hopkinsville KY is named in the bill. In April, 1996 the National Park Service designated the park as a certified site on the National Historic Trail Of Tears. Our park is the first non-federal property to receive such designation.
Statues of Chief Whitepath and Fly Smith were crafted by local artist Steve Shields and were unveiled with delegations from Eastern Band Of Cherokees and Cherokee present. One of the focal points of the Trail Of Tears Commemorative Park is the log cabin which serves as the Heritage Center of the Park.This cabin dates to the Trail Of Tears itself. While in need of reconstruction, the cabin was moved to the park with only its roof removed. A complete restoration was done, a new porch built and the interior fitted with display cases for the cabin's new life as a Heritage Center.There are seven Cherokee clans. Bird, Paint, Deer, Blue, Wolf, Long Hair, Wild Potato. Near the burial area in the Park,The Trail Of Tears Commission has planted seven Red Cherokee Chief Dogwoods in honor of each clan. The name of each clan is set forth in a carved redwood sign by its tree.
Every year on the first full weekend after Labor Day, the Trail Of Tears Commission sponsors an intertribal PowWow at the park. The PowWow for 2008 will be held in September on the first full weekend after Labor Day, September 6th and 7th 2008. A PowWow is many things....A gathering of Native American people to celebrate their rich heritage; to socialize with old friends and make new ones and an opportunity to expose non-indians to the centuries old tradition of the various dances and Native American crafts; and to educate the PowWow visitors with story telling and Indian lore demonstrations Children also enjoy visiting our PowWow:
PowWow Dates For 2008 Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7
Admission $6 for 12 years old and over $3 for 6 years old to 11 years old Under 6 years old - Free Raffle: China Indian Dolls In Full Regalia. $1.00 per ticket, 2 to be raffled On Saturday and 2 on Sunday
For more information concerning Powwows and other Native American activities and resources Please visit this site. http://www.powwow-power.com/powwowetiquette.html There is a tremendous amount of good information on the site.
If you are a Native American Dancer or a Native American Drummer and would like to participate in our 2007 PowWow please click on the above links for entry forms or contact: Roger Richey OR Ramsey Morris
Please read the Rules of Competition before signing your entry form.
Here is an updated link to the Federal Arts and Crafts law
Read A Short History Of Our PowWow
Here are aome more contacts concerning Dancers and other information via Email:
Joanne Paris Midge Durbin
Or Call - 270-886-7503. Leave message and we will get back to you.
Cherokee Trail of Tears Memorial Motorcycle Ride Please check out our website at: http://www.cherokeetotride.org/
The Heritage Center Update: Hours Are 10AM - 3PM Wednesday Through Saturday Hopkinsville Local Map
Driving Directions From Yahoo maps
Meet Midge Durbin
Midge has been a volunteer in support of the Trail Of Tears Park and the intertribal Pow Wow and commission for more than 18 years. For the past 8 years she has been a volunteer for the Heritage Center and does tours for school children and others to talk about the Native Americans and the removal of 1838 - 1839 and what has happened at the Trail Of Tears Park. Midge was recently presented with the volunteerism award by Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp for her service to the Trail Of Tears commemorative park and the Commission. Not pictured is Ethel Adkins, a hostess and tour person for 15 years at the Heritage Center.
Here are some more pictures of Dancer and our Vendors. Photography by George McCouch
Cherokee National Historical Society PO Box 515 Tahlequah OK 74465 918-456-6007 Voice 918-456-6165 Fax 828-497-3481 Official Cherokee Website Link
Cherokee Historical Society C/O Museum Of Cherokee Indian PO Box 770-A Cherokee NC 2871 828-497-348 Museum Of Cherokee Indian
Kentucky New Era Newspaper
Hopkinsville Chamber Of Commerce
Hopkinsville Motel Information
Weather Radar For Hopkinsville
Hopkinsville Local Map
Hopkinsville Nostalgia (a look into the past)
Fort Campbell Courier newspaper
Local Lake Barkley Fishing Guide
Or Call - 270-886-7503. Leave message and we will get back to you General Information
Roger Richey - PowWow Chairman Roger Richey Mark Wells - Commission President Mark Wells
Visitors Since 4 / /2002
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