TAHLEQUAH — By Dylan Goforth

Phoenix Staff Writer



PARK HILL — A former school building turned museum will immortalize John Ross, the Cherokee principal chief who led the tribe during its removal to Oklahoma.

Bill John Baker, the newly-elected principal chief, welcomed the crowd to the unveiling, calling the Park Hill area the “breadbasket” of the Cherokee Nation.

“Welcome to Tahlequah, but we really know it’s Park Hill,” Baker said. “It’s probably really the capital of the Cherokee Nation.”

The museum is housed in former Rural School #51 and highlights the life of Ross, who served as chief from 1828 until his death in 1866.   

“Chief John Ross is one of our most revered historical figures,” said Molly Jarvis, vice president of Cultural Tourism for Cherokee Nation Enterprises.

The school opened in 1913, served students through the 1950s, but fell into disrepair. The building was stabilized in 2008, renovation began in late 2010 and finished in September.

“With the John Ross Museum and through our restoration projects and cultural tourism program, we are able to honor our heritage and provide opportunities for the Cherokee people,” Jarvis said.  

The museum holds various pieces of memorabilia, replicated material and billboards with facts about the school and Ross’ life.

A scan of a petition signed Sept. 28, 1836 by more than 2,000 Cherokees disputing the treaty of New Echota rests near a French desk like one Ross might have owned. The school’s original bell is encased in glass near school desks designed to look like the ones students sat in during the early 1900s.

“We are a stronger nation when we can preserve our culture and teach future generations on how to become better more informed Cherokee citizens,” Baker told the crowd. “It’s through our restoration projects and cultural tourism program that we are able to honor our heritage and provide opportunities for the Cherokee people.”

Bill Hinton, Ross’ great-great-grandson attended the museum’s opening and said the building reminds him of classes he attended.

“I went to school here in 1941. It was first grade for me,” Hinton said. “It’s very nice. You probably won’t see too many projects like this around the country.”

John Meigs, another great-great-grandson of Ross, attended school at the building from 1933 to 1941 and said he appreciated the remodeling.  

“I lived just up the road from here, so I remember this place very well. A lot of the layout is basically the same as it was when I was here,” he said. “There are things they changed here and there, but it’s nice that it can talk about Ross’ life and also about our school. It’s kind of a museum of both.”

Reach Dylan Goforth at (918) 684-2925 or dgoforth@muskogeephoenix.com.

If you go



WHAT: John Ross Museum.

WHERE: 22366 S. 530 Road, Park Hill.

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays.

ADMISSION: $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and students, free for children under 5 years old.

INFORMATION: (877) 779-6977, www.cherokeetourismok.com.