October 8, 2024 New Echota Cherokees, Booth Western Art

 Tuesday, October 8

A cool 53 degrees this morning!  Blueberry pancakes, bacon and coffee for a relaxing breakfast.  We see a couple of deer on the drive out of the National Forest around 10AM.  

We begin the day with a visit to New Echota which was the Cherokee National Capital from 1825 to 1838 and the beginning of the Trail of Tears.  At the Visitor's Center we watch a film and learn some history. Such an awful, heartbreaking part of US History.

Many of the Cherokee had adopted European ways, some were educated, built log homes and adopted European clothing and customs. New Echota was a planned 100 acre town with a 60-ft wide main street.  By 1830 it had over 70 residents. A Council House here had annual meetings of the Cherokee National Council and National Committee.  There was also the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper print shop which used both English and the written form of the Cherokee language that was developed around 1809.  A Supreme Court building, several private homes, four stores and a mission were also located here.  

This Cherokee homestead had a house, barn, corncrib, and smokehouse.

Below is an 1828 family home which also served as a Presbyterian Mission and Postmaster's Home. The owner was arrested and sentenced to prison.  His case was appealed and won at the US Supreme Court, but Georgia ignored the ruling and he was forced out and the house went to someone else in the Land Lottery.  

This was the newspaper print shop.

The demand for land by white settlers and the discovery of gold in 1828 increased demand for Cherokee removal.  Georgia declared Cherokee laws void, annexed indigenous land and pretty much made life miserable for the Cherokees.  The Indian Removal Act was passed in 1830 by the US Congress .  Indigenous land was basically stolen, surveyed, divided and given away to Georgia residents in the 1832 land lottery.  The removal was contested and fiercely debated but more than 16,000 Cherokees were forcibly moved to Oklahoma on the 800 mile Trail of Tears.

In the 1950's a group of local residents purchased 200 acres that included the town site and deeded it to the state.  After restoration and reconstruction, the State Historic site opened in 1962. Members of Cherokee tribes were involved and continue to be involved in its operation.

Next stop today is the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, which houses the largest permanent space for western art in the world.    It has been our experience that museums associated with the Smithsonian are usually high quality and this was definitely the case here. 

Outside and in an atrium are probably a dozen or more beautiful large scale sculptures.

Inside are a series of galleries which include a "War is Hell" gallery with paintings and sculptures dealing with the Civil War, including this one of Generals Grant and Lee at Appomattox.

 A Native Hands Gallery with Native American and Cowboy culture,

 and others dealing with Modern west, American History, Contemporary and historic photography and more.

The Presidential Gallery features paintings of each President, along with a letter written by each.  In a creative take there are three murals which depict the presidents as though they were contemporaries.  The most recent holds only George W Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden - with lots of space for future presidents.  (Let's hope there will be a woman included there one day soon - ed)

Greg and I were especially taken with these paper sculptures - quite detailed and lovely!  (Sorry I didn't include all the artists, but I've got a list if anyone is interested.)

Additional sculptures, a temporary special exhibit of five generations of potters from the Folwell Family,  and an interactive children's gallery round things out. 

 A pretty amazing place we'd highly recommend if you are ever in the area....

We'd like to try some barbecue, so ask the folks at the main desk for recommendations.  Unfortunately, Scott's - the one within walking distance ends up being closed today.  So we move on. 

 The campground we considered is fully booked because it is closer to the upcoming Apple and October Festivals.  Very crowded, but the manager offers to squeeze us in for a mere $45 a night. To park? We opt to fall back on a Walmart in Jasper, which is probably quieter!  It is also nearer tomorrow's Amicalola Falls destination.  We grab a quick dinner at the local Culver's restaurant.