New Echota to host spring program this Saturday
New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun will be hosting a Guided Hike and Cherokee Three Sisters Garden Program, Saturday, April 22, 2017 starting at 10 a.m.
Park Rangers and AmeriCorps Rangers will lead a guided hike along New Town Creek Nature Trail starting at 10 a.m. The hike will include discussions about the history of New Echota, animal and plant life of the Ridge and Valley province of Georgia around New Echota and a water quality program. Families are encouraged to join the one-mile hike to learn about water quality issues of surrounding streams and rivers. Trees, wildflowers and birds and more will be discussed and participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, drinking water and wear hiking clothing and shoes.
Friends of New Echota members will be working on planting the Cherokee farmstead Three Sisters Garden and also constructing a herbal garden box. Corn, beans and squash were a staple of Cherokee Indians traditional diet and the spring planting of these crops was a family and community event. For visitors interested in getting involved in volunteering at the historic site, the Friends of New Echota Members will also be available to help visitors get registered and provide information about the Friends organization. Bring your gardening gloves and help the Friends members plant the garden throughout the day from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Park Rangers will also be on hand giving tours of the historic New Echota grounds and demonstrating the 19th century Printing Press operation in the Phoenix Printing Office. Come see how paper was made, type was set and America’s first Native Indian language newspaper was printed.
New Echota is open WednesdaySaturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and is located on State Highway 225, off Exit 317, Interstate I-75. Admission fee of $5.50 - $7 required, and annual family passes are available also.
For more information on New Echota-Cherokee Capital State Historic Site and other Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, visit www. gastateparks.org, or call 706-624-1321.