SOME ORGANIZATION CONSIDERATIONS

Ray Hoskins

The plans to build a Memorial to the Cherokee families began about 30 years ago so they and what happened here in a dark chapter of our history will not be forgotten. The idea took root in Meigs County to promote tourism since the County was named for the Cherokee Agent that built his Agency on the Hiwassee River. The plan was to build the Memorial and a small log replica of the agency in the existing TVA Agency Creek day-use park next to the Highway 58 bridge. The concept was well received and the principal proponents, Gloria Schoggins, Shirley Lawrence* and Shirley Hoskins* established a non-profit organization to build the Memorial and operate the agency replica where they would help visitors trace their Cherokee ancestry. Their task was well defined and appeared to be achievable for under $100,000.00. The County sponsored a feasibility study by The Center for Historic Preservation which supported the idea. However, they recommended that the Memorial should be located on the town square in Decatur to attract tourist into the county and the Genealogy Library could be operated from the “Old Law Office. Southeaster Tennessee Development District sponsored a broadly based feasibility study based on the Agency Creek Site that also supported the project. However, at the end of the study emphasis shifted to TVA’s undeveloped Blythe Ferry site which had a historic role in the Trail of Tears. It does not appear that much thought was given to the difficulty or benefits of building a new park in a remote corner of the County. In July 1998 TVA granted Meigs County a 25 year easement for a public recreational park which incorporated an agreement between Meigs County and TWRA which defines its purpose as “to commemorate, interpret and educate about the forcible removal of the Cherokee Nation…… as well as help promote and educate about the unusual wildlife in the project area. The agreement placed the primary responsibility of management of the park on a no-profit Friends of the Cherokee with Meigs County in a supporting role. These roles appears to be a carry-over of what the Friends role would have been at the Agency Creek site. The Friends had never envisioned taking on the primary responsibility for developing a completely new park on an environmental, cultural and archeological sensitive Federally owned site.

Phase I, site clearing and rough grading of roads and parking areas began in 1998 which promptly begin to deteriorate. The limited resources of Friends were used trying to stabilize the site. There was no approved plans for park development as a basis for promoting fund raising and organizational development. The County had little interest in developing the park beyond providing moral support to the Friends. The Friends made an effort to develop a plan and get TVA’s approval and to broaden the base of support for the Friends. It became clear that the Friends did not have the funds or organizational capability available to work with TVA and the National Park Service(NPS) on their terms. Since there was little hope of getting anything done in the forcible future the Friends charter was allowed to expire.

In 2002 NPS conducted a broad based Conceptual Design Workshop from which they developed a draft report documenting a conceptual design for the complete park worthy of becoming a National Memorial to the Trail of Tears. In 2005 Congressman Wamp* obtained an appropriation which with other state and local funds provided for completion of the Park including the Memorial in two phases. Phase II would build the Visitor Center, History Wall Plaza and parking area and Phase III would include the Memorial. It was later learned that the available funds could not be used to build the Memorial and there were other misunderstandings created financial problems and delays in competing Phase II. The Visitor Center opened to the public with very limited operation hours in 2009. The financial issues were resolved and all debts were paid with about $120,000.00 remaining for Phase III development. There has been no indication of how these funds are to be used.

My wife and I had moved to Atlanta to help with our grandchildren, but continued to support the project. Last year we became members of Mayor Jones’ Park Advisory Board. The County has a beautiful facility that far exceeded the fondest dreams of the original proponents of the project. The following is my personal situation assessment :

1. There seemed to be a conflict about of use of the Visitor Center between two competing interest. One saw it as part of the National Historic Trail of Tears.. The other saw it as a community center for meetings and other functions. The problems were magnified by lack communication and cooperation leading to concerns about accountability. This is an over simplification, but is useful in examining the need for and role of the Friends. If the County elects to pursue developing the park to it’s potential there would be a need for a very capable and influential Friends organization to raise funds and provide workers to support park operation and development. If the County is satisfied with what they have and would only take advantage of opportunities that come their way, then there would be little need for a Friends organization. I think the Visitor Center can fulfill both functions with a little cooperation and coordinating of activities under a consistent use policy.

2. Currently park management is performed by Mayor Jones. While it is desirable to have his support it is not a sustainable way of managing the park in the long term. It has been difficult to get timely decisions made since he has many other obligations. The attitude of future County administration towards the Park may be uncertain as it has been in the past. . If a capable Friends organization had existed much of the routine management could have been delegated. It should be understood that the County must have complete control of the park The supporting role of the Friends should be clearly defined in a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for oversight by the County

3. The existence of a major Visitor Center placed a significant burdens on the County in operating the park. Initially the Memorial was intended to be a passive tourist attraction much like the Vietnam Memorial. The need to staff, operate and maintain the Visitor Center will be expensive. It could become difficult for the County to justify extending operating hours or even keeping the doors open based on intangible tourism benefits. A Friends organization could be a big help in by providing volunteer staffing and funding to keep the doors open.

4. There was much discussion about re-establishing a Friends organization but nothing was getting done. There seem to be general agreement that a Friends organization is desirable and should be independent of the County. The three previous attempts were sponsored within the Meigs County Tourism Board. Their failure could be attributed to the long delays between activities and the difficulty in expand the Friends beyond the original proponents. This time a very attractive facility is open to the public which should help attract support.

I decided to go ahead and obtain a Friends charter to see if we can identify a role for the Friends and develop an organization capable of fulfilling that role. One might ask why am I doing this? My primary interest is building the Memorial and would like to see the park developed to fulfill it’s potential and become a valuable asset to Meigs County. My wife and I are willing to contribute to the Memorial and my wife would like to donate her extensive Cherokee History and Genealogy collection to the library, However, we are reluctant to do so unless a capable and accountable Friends organization can be developed to provide for continuing support for development and operation of the park. County support for the Park is subject to change as it has in the past. A capable Friends organization is needed to assure that the Memorial and the Park will be there for future generations.

* Has Cherokee ancestry.