The American Civil War’s 150-year Anniversary Will be commemorated
May 18, 2011
Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism will commemorate the American Civil War’s 150th Anniversary via 2 cultural tours that will be held on April 2 and April 16. Private tours will also be available throughout the entire year. All of the tours will highlight the historic sites associated with the Civil War all across the Cherokee Nation.
Guests of the events will visit historic sites in the Cherokee Nation that played a considerable role during the Civil War. The tours include a visit to historic to such locations as the Capitol Square in Tahlequah, Okla., so guests can learn about the destruction by Confederate troops. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit the Murrell Home, which is an antebellum home that survived the fires of the Civil War. Visitors will also explore Fort Gibson Historic Site, which changed hands many times during the Civil War between the Union and Confederate forces.
One stop will be at the Honey Springs Battle site, which was a turning point in the Civil War along with being the site of the largest battle fought between the states in Indian Territory.
Molly Jarvis, Vice President of Cultural Tourism at Cherokee Nation Entertainment stated, “Cherokee Nation has an abundance of physical resources that played a significant role in shaping the Civil War in the region that represents both sides of the conflict,” and went on to say, “The Civil War anniversary is also a unique opportunity to work with the state of Oklahoma to recognize and honor the historic sites and locations from 150 years ago.”
The Oklahoma Historical Society initiated recently The Oklahoma Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission that will start commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War with programs and events planned over the next five years, starting in 2011 through 2015. The Commission will center on discussion, education, and preservation efforts to make sure history is remembered today and preserved for the tomorrow.
The major event in 2011 to observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War will be an extraordinary reenactment of the Battle of Honey Springs. During the weekend of April 29 thru May 1, the original battlefield will be active once again with the roar of cannons, volley fire from muskets and ring heard from the clash of saber-to-saber combat. The Battlefield is just north of Checotah, Oklahoma. It is expected that several thousands of spectators along with re-enactors will attend the event.
Tour Pricing
The pricing for the event is tiered and is subject to a tribal tax for both consumer and groups. The prices are as follows
Adults (ages 12 to 61): $50.00 each
Seniors (ages 62 and up): $45.00 each
Children (ages 4 to 11): $20.00 each
Children (ages 3 and younger): Free.
Children three and younger are free but must sit on the lap of a parent and share a meal. If the child uses a seat or receives a separate meal the children’s admission price will apply. Lunch is included in the price above.
There are special group rates available beyond the prices listed above. In addition to experiencing the Civil War History Tour, there are varieties of activities to add-on to their trip that are sold separately or can be combined with the tour. The additional activities range from storytelling workshops, basket weaving, language and Syllabary workshops, Genealogy workshops, traditional pottery workshops, and traditional Cherokee cuisine, to name a few.
Timeline and Tour
The Cherokee Nation, even though it was not a state, was involved in the Civil War as a foreign ally. A few of the Cherokee troops were allied with the Union while some Cherokee troops were allied with the Confederacy. This brought about a war within a war that shattered much of the Cherokee Nation. Main events in the Cherokee Nation Civil War history timeline include:
- May 17, 1861, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation John Ross issued neutrality proclamation reminding the tribe of obligations to the United States.
- Aug. 21, 1861, Chief Ross and the Executive Council called a general assembly of the tribe in Tahlequah, Okla. The approximate 4,000 men attending the convention voted by acclamation to join the South.
- Oct. 7, 1861, Treaty with the South concluded and signed at Murrell Home in Park Hill, Okla.
- Oct. 28, 1861, Cherokee National Council issued declaration of war with the United States.
- July 15, 1862, Chief Ross taken into custody by Union officers.
- Aug. 3, 1862, Chief Ross escorted out of the Cherokee Nation into Kansas from where he traveled to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
- Aug. 21, 1862, Stand Waite elected Principal Chief by first Confederate Cherokee Convention. The election was not valid because a majority of Cherokees did not vote.
- Feb. 20, 1863, Loyal Ross Cherokees revoked the treaty with the South and pledged loyalty to the Union at an emergency session of the Cherokee National Council. In addition, all Confederate officers were removed from office, slaves were emancipated and John Ross was reaffirmed as Principal Chief.
- July 17, 1863, Battle of Honey Springs in Creek Nation.
- Oct. 28, 1863, Stand Waite and his men burn the Cherokee Capitol buildings in Tahlequah and Principal Chief John Ross’ home in Park Hill, Okla.
- Sept. 1, 1865, Chief John Ross returns to Cherokee Nation.
- July 19, 1866, Terms of reconstruction treaty agreed upon and signed by Cherokee delegation. The treaty was ratified by the United States Congress on July 27 and further proclaimed by August 11, 1866.
To learn more visit http://www.travelok.com/media_room/release/cherokee-nation-cultural-tourism-commemorates-the-american-civil-wars-150-year-anniversary.