Sequoyah's Cabin facts for kids
|
Sequoyah's Cabin
|
|
A reproduction of the cabin standing outside the protective shelter
|
|
 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 470288 Highway 101 |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Akins, Oklahoma |
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1829 |
| Architect | Sequoyah |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000634 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
Sequoyah's Cabin is a special log cabin and historic place in Oklahoma. It was the home of a very important Cherokee man named Sequoyah. He lived here between 1829 and 1844. Sequoyah, also known as George Gist, was born around 1765 and passed away in 1844.
In 1821, Sequoyah created a written language for the Cherokee people. This amazing invention helped his people read and write. Because of its importance, the cabin and the land around it were named a National Historic Landmark in 1965. Today, the Cherokee Nation owns and takes care of this historic site.
Contents
What Does Sequoyah's Cabin Look Like?
Sequoyah's Cabin is found east of Akins, Oklahoma, right next to State Highway 101. The cabin is a simple, one-story building made of logs. It has a pointed roof, called a gabled roof.
The cabin sits on about 10 acres of land, which looks like a peaceful park. To protect the old log cabin from weather, a brick building was built around it in the 1930s. Outside, you can see a bronze statue of Sequoyah himself.
Inside the Historic Cabin
Today, Sequoyah's Cabin is a historic house museum. This means it's set up to look just like it did when Sequoyah lived there. You can see furniture and other items from his time. There are also old objects and papers that tell the story of his life and work.
The Story of Sequoyah and His Cabin
Sequoyah was born around 1770. His mother was Cherokee, and his father was of European descent. He grew up in the traditional lands of the Cherokee people in the southeastern United States. Sequoyah did not go to school in the way we do today. He learned the ways and customs of his tribe.
Why Sequoyah Created a Written Language
Sequoyah understood how important writing was. He saw how British settlers used written words to communicate and keep records. Around 1809, he started working on a writing system for the Cherokee language. After many years, he finished his work.
The result was the Cherokee syllabary. This system allowed people to write down every word in the Cherokee language. It was so successful that many Cherokee people quickly learned to read and write. Even today, the Cherokee syllabary is still used!
Building the Cabin in Oklahoma
In the 1820s, Sequoyah moved west to what is now Oklahoma. He went there to teach the western Cherokee people his new writing system. It was during this time, in 1829, that his cabin was built. This is the very cabin you can visit today.
Protecting Sequoyah's Cabin
Over the years, many groups have worked to protect Sequoyah's Cabin.
How the Cabin Became a Landmark
The Oklahoma Historical Society bought the cabin in 1936. That same year, the brick shelter over the building was built. This was done by the Works Progress Administration, a government program that created jobs during the Great Depression. The cabin is surrounded by a 10-acre park.
In 1965, the cabin and its park were officially named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a place of great importance to the history of the United States. A year later, in 1966, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2016, the Cherokee Nation bought the cabin and its land. They now own and manage this special place, making sure it is preserved for future generations.
See Also
