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Oconaluftee
Indian Village
Model of a Cherokee village from over 225 years ago
Presented by the non-profit Cherokee Historical Association, the Oconaluftee Indian Village is a glimpse of the past. Here you will see the model of a Cherokee village from over 225 years ago!
Cherokee guides in native costume will explain their history, the culture and life-style of their ancestors, and answer your questions. All this while pausing to watch Cherokee demonstrate their arts and crafts.
This 18th century replica of a Cherokee community contains a replica of a 7-sided Council House and typical homes as they were 250 years ago.
The Oconaluftee Indian Village is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 9-Oct. 18. Admission costs $15 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Children ages 5 and younger are admitted free and group discounts are available. The Village is on Drama Road, near the Mountainside Theatre, off U.S. 441 in Cherokee.
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Mountain Farm Museum
The Mountain Farm Museum, situated on the banks of the Oconaluftee River just inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a collection of southern Appalachian farm buildings assembled from different locations throughout the Park.
[Photo Tour]
Cherokee Bear Zoo & Exotic Animals
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Mingus Mill, an 1886 turbine mill, ground corn into meal and wheat into flour for over fifty years for the mountain community near Mingus Creek. In place of a wooden water wheel, a small steel turbine provided power to turn the mill's stones and machinery. The National Park Service rehabilitated the mill in 1968, and Mingus Mill operates during the summer as an historical exhibit.
In 1937, Mingus Mill was one of the first buildings restored as an historic structure in the newly created Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The labor for the restoration work was provided by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a depression-era public works program. Mingus Mill is one of more than 80 buildings that are maintained as historic structures by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mingus Mill is located about two miles from Cherokee Indian Reservation, Cherokee, NC. [Photo Tour]
Reshaping Cherokee History
"When potter Joel Queen grinds mussel shells and massages the white flecks into lumps of moist, brown clay, he’s molding the past.
The shell-tempered clay technique, recreated recently by the Cherokee Potters Guild of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, requires burning and crushing the mussels until they’re ashlike." [More]
 Maggie Valley is Only A Few Miles from Cherokee
Deep within the Smoky Mountains is a valley unlike you've ever seen. Far from big cities and beyond the expectations of its visitors, Maggie Valley is a place where nature offers its best and fun vacations begin.
The Smoky Mountains are the oldest on earth and provide wonderful experiences at every turn. Dominated by mile high peaks, lush valleys, rushing rivers, and more species of birds, plants, animals, and tree than anywhere else in the world, these mountains are nothing less than exhilirating. Quaint shops, respected artisans, parks, fishing lakes, historical sites, great entertainment are all part of Maggie Valley.
Featured Books about the Cherokee Indians
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How far are you from Cherokee?
Comfort Inn Cherokee
Calendar of Events in Cherokee:
May 5-10
Week of the Young Child
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
May 16-18
Cruise the Smokies - Spring Cherokee Rod Run
The Rod Run features more than 500 classic and customized automobiles built before 1972. The mountains and miles of surrounding roads, including the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, make for good driving and amazing views. Plus, the many attrations at Cherokee make the Rod Run fun for the entire family.
Friday’s concert is Jeff "Hoss" Howard and Saturday's is Magic.
Concert times are 6:00 PM. Location is the Fair Grounds Amphitheater.
Registered vehicles are eligible for cash-prize drawings totaling $15,000. Vehicle registration is $30 before the event and $35 at the door.
Event hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
May 23-25
Memorial Day Powwow
This annual event draws more than 200 dancers and more than 2,000 spectators. Men and women compete for thousands of dollars in different age groups – there are participants younger than 5! – performing dances including traditional, grass, jingle, fancy and more. These events offer great opportunity for non-Natives to appreciate a diversity of Native cultures. Beyond this, the powwows are safe, family entertainment that includes everyone from young children to tribal elders. Many powwows promote themselves as a safe, drug-free environment. Gates open at 10:00AM.
May 31
Cherokee Day of Caring
Venue: Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
May 31 - June 1
Tom Johnson RV Show
Venue: Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Hours: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
June 6-8
Gourd Festival
Venue: Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
June 17-21
Summerfest Carnival
Venue: Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Gates open at 5:00PM.
June 19-21
34th Annual North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival
Venue: Happy Holiday Campground
Contact: (828) 497-7250
Cherokee Indians in the Great Smoky Mountains
This is a great resource for students. This site has information on Cherokee culture, government, and lots more.
Click here
1984 Cherokee "Original Keetoowah Society"
Video available online:
1984 55 min. Documentary Video "Spirit of the Fire" - revealing the "Original Keetoowah Society" spiritual core of the Cherokee Nation. The Smithsonian institution was turned down by the Nighthawk Keetoowah elders in favor a Tulsa news man, Sam Jones because he had "blue veins" and came in a good way.
KJRH TV Tulsa's Sam Jones was privileged to produce this documentary - filming the sacred Stomp Dance, Pipe Ceremony and display of Keetoowah Wampum Belts for the very first time.
www.keetoowah-society.org
Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee - A state recognized Tribe of fully documented Cherokee descendants.
Online Bookstore:
• Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
• Trail of Tears
• And Still the Waters Run
• The Earth Shall Weep: A History of Native America
• Another Country: Journeying Toward the Cherokee Mountains
• Cherokee Dragon: A Novel of the Real People
• Walking on the Wind : Cherokee Teachings for Healing Through Harmony and Balance
• The Cherokee People : The Story of the Cherokees from Earliest Origins to Contemporary Times
Qualla Boundary/Cherokee Trout Fishing Season -- All rivers and ponds are open every day from the last Saturday in March through the end of the following February.
Cherokee Nation
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