Cherokee Removal Memorial Park facts for kids
The Cherokee Removal Memorial Park is a special place in Meigs County, Tennessee. It remembers the Cherokee people. They were forced to leave their homes long ago. This sad journey is known as the Trail of Tears. The park started in 2005 and has grown since then.
Contents
Why This Park is Important
This park helps us learn about a difficult time in history. It honors the Cherokee people. They had to move far away from their homes. This happened during the "Cherokee Removal."
The park is located next to the Tennessee River. It is near a place called Blythe Ferry. This ferry was used to carry many Cherokee people across the river. They were on their way to a new land. This new land was called Indian Territory. Today, that area is in Oklahoma.
The main office for the removal was at Fort Cass. This fort was in nearby Charleston.
What You Can See at the Park
The Cherokee Removal Memorial Park is a team effort. Many groups work together to keep it going. These groups include Meigs County, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the National Park Service (NPS).
The park covers 29 acres. It has a visitor center. Inside, you can find an interpretive center. This center helps you understand the history. There is also a library and a room for presentations.
You can also see a history wall. It tells the story of the Cherokee people. There is a memorial wall too. This wall lists the names of Cherokee people who were removed. On the ground, a stone map shows the route of the Trail of Tears.
The park is an official stop on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. It helps visitors learn about this important journey.
Park History
The park first opened in 2005. The visitor center welcomed its first guests in May 2009. The memorial wall, which honors the Cherokee, was officially opened on October 27, 2013.
Other Places to Learn From
