Cherokee Heritage Center Renovations Progress

By Margaret Stokes, Newson6.com

TAHLEQUAH, OK -- The second phase of renovations is complete at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah.  The $280,000 renovation project is an effort to better serve the Cherokee Nation as well as to promote tourism.

The Cherokee Heritage Center was built in the1960's to house hundreds of tribal documents, photographs and exhibits.   The first phase of renovations started with the museum store improvements.  Now the second phase is complete and it's all about first impressions.

Guests now enter through a revitalized atrium and as they walk through the museum they are met with interactive features that help tell the history of the tribe.

A story the heritage center wants to be told well.

"A lot of people aren't aware of the unique circumstances of their story.  How the Cherokee people survived adversity and who they are today and this is an opportunity to tell it," said Executive Director Carey Tilley.

The tribe hopes to partner with property owners and the City of Tahlequah to renovate other buildings in town.  The next area to be improved is likely to be the living village, located outside of the Heritage Center.