Taking pride
National Trust honors tribe for care of historic properties
The Cherokee Nation was honored this week by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its care of historic properties including Sequoyah’s Cabin.
The Cherokee Nation was honored this week by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its care of historic properties including Sequoyah’s Cabin, which the Cherokees acquired last year from the budget-strapped state of Oklahoma.
The trust presented the tribe with the Trustees Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites this week at the 2017 PastForward National Preservation Conference Chicago. It was one of eight national preservation awards presented.
The properties are in northeastern Oklahoma in and the Cherokee Nation headquarters in Tahlequah.
“We are pleased to receive this award from the National Trust in recognition of our passion and efforts in historic preservation,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “Historic preservation for the Cherokee Nation means safeguarding our heritage and culture. It is a responsibility that we all collectively share and a priceless investment we are making for future generations. We’re committed to preserving these sites and are thankful for the opportunity to proactively share our story with the world.”
The nonprofit National Trust, in announcing the award, reviewed the circumstances leading to the tribe’s acquisition and expansion of programming at Sequoyah’s Cabin, near Akins about 10 miles northeast of Sallisaw.
“When state budget cuts in 2010 threatened the Oklahoma Historical Society’s ability to care for state-owned historic resources, Cherokee Nation stepped forward with a $50,000 annual contribution to maintain operations at three OHS historic sites within the boundaries of the nation and arranged to bring tour groups there for special programming opportunities.
“When the perilous budget situation per- sisted, Cherokee Nation worked with leadership at OHS to secure legislation making it possible for the state to transfer titles to historical properties to entities willing and able to ensure their long-term preservation and public availability.
“This enabled the Nation to acquire Sequoyah’s Cabin, the home of the individual who created the Cherokee syllabary, thus making it possible for Cherokee citizens to read and write in their own language.”
The award also recognizes the Cherokee Nation’s repair and restoration of the 1844 building that housed its National Supreme Court; the 1875 National Prison; and the 1869 National Capitol. The properties are being restored to their historical appearance and opened to the public.
“Through their careful preservation of iconic historic properties, their financial support to the state’s historical society during tough economic times, and their programming and promotion of those sites, Cherokee Nation’s passion for cultural heritage is obvious,” said Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We commend them for their visionary stewardship and skilled leadership in ensuring that places that tell the story of Cherokee Nation and the history of our country may be experienced for generations to come.”