The goal to build a Cherokee Removal Memorial began in the mid 1970’s before it was cool to have Cherokee ancestors and there was little local knowledge of what came to be known as the Trail of Tears. It’s purpose was to educate the public and future generations about what happened here and who were these people that were the victims of one of the most regrettable episodes(ethnic cleansing) in U. S. History. Over 2,000 Cherokees died in stockades awaiting removal and are buried in unmarked graves somewhere in this area, another 2,200 died along the way to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. It has been estimate that about 8,000 perished altogether including those that died in Oklahoma as a result of their removal. In the mid 1980’s the Meigs County Tourism Board adopted the Memorial concept since it had a connection with the County’s history. They received strong support from Senator Sasser’s office and Hamilton County Executive Dalton Roberts. The project got a boost in 1987 when Congress authorized the National Park Service to make the Trail of Tears part of their Long Range National Trails System. NPS also provided us with a good park development plan. Due to the tireless efforts of three ladies the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park is now open to the public. While it is a very impressive facility, their Memorial goal has not been realized which hopefully will be during their lifetime.

The central feature and purpose of the park has always been the Memorial which identifies, by name the civilized people that were forced to leave their ancestral homes as a result of the fraudulent 1835 New Echota Treaty. In preparation for their removal the Government took a detailed census of the Cherokee Nation. This has became known as the Henderson Roll which gives the name of the 2,535 heads of each household, the number of Indians, whites and slaves and an inventory of their skills and property. These names will be arranged on the Memorial in alphedical order, by state, and indicating the number people in each household This represents 16,542 Indians, 201 whites married to Cherokees and 1,592 negro slaves.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to help develop a consensus on plans for park development and the type of 501(c) charitable Friends organization, if any, needed to support the plan. I believe the park has the potential to become a Trail of Tears site that is unlikely to be equaled anywhere. To accomplish this we would need an aggressive and diversified 501(c) support organization. On the other hand we could simply wait to take advantage of whatt might come our way and may not need a Friends organization beyond the current Advisory Board. I have attempted to describe a plan for each area of the park to realize the park’s potential and a modest alternative development plan for discussion and modification. These are just ideas intended for discussion and to solicit input from others to develop a consensus on what we want to do with the park. Similarly I have outlined my thoughts on the type of 501(c) organization needed to realize the park’s potential and have included a draft mission statement and bylaws for such an organization. Feel free to agree or disagree with any part of these suggestions. We can choose a maximum or minimum plan or some place in-between.

The preferred Memorial and Overlook design is similar to National Park Service(NPS) concept consisting of seven white Cherokee Marble panels approximately 5 ft wide and 7 feet high on a 20 foot diameter reinforced concrete base covered with a facsimile of the center of the Cherokee Nation seal.. The head of each households name and the number of Indians, whites and slaves would be engraved with three-quarter inch letters on the Memorial. The dedication would be in Cherokee and English. Based on the information I have, I estimated cost of the Memorial and it’s base to be about $260,000* not including the Overlook.

An economy Memorial design would use similar concrete panels with a white stucco like finish. Fourteen 40 inches high by 26 inches wide by one-quarter inch thick cast bronze panels containing the same information would be mounted on the walls. The base would be finished in shades of pea gravel to outline the seven point star similar to the design in the Visitor Center plaza. Based on the information I, I have estimated cost to be about $55,000* not including the Overlook.

If we should choose to concentrate park activities around the Visitor Center either of these could be installed just North of the removal map for a modest increase in cost to extend the plaza. An even a more economical approach would be to place the bronze panels on the back of the History Wall. This would require moving the landscaping, building a walkway along the wall and improving the wall finish. I estimate this type Memorial could cost as little as $35,000*.

* These are direct cost of labor and materials and does not include contingences, fees and other indirect cost which could increase cost as much as 50 percent using using traditional government contracting methods. It is thought much of these indirect cost can be reduced or eliminating by managing the work ourselves in small components using County and local contractors to the extent possible.

The Memorial Walk is intended to prepare the visitors for an emotional experience when they visit the Overlook. As they climb the knoll interruptive material along the way will convey a feeling that they are visiting a sacred place that memorializes those who died and those who cried in what has become known as the Trail of Tears. As they view the place where over 9,000 Cherokees were evicted from their land on a difficult 1,000 mile joinery visitors can contemplate the hardships and uncertain future they faced. While they look for familiar names on the Memorial they can hear the haunting sound of a Cherokee flute playing Amazing Grace, or other Cherokee hymns while thinking about those that perished. On their trip back to the Visitor Center they can take the Walking Trail where they would learn of the hardships faced on the Trail of Tears as told by a child.

The Marble Memorial on top of the knoll is an impressive and eloquent design worthy of its purpose. The Concrete Memorial is less so, but is capable of being upgraded with a marble facade at a later date. Vandalism is a greater concern with the marble since it would difficult and expensive to repair. The concrete and bronze version would be relatively easy to repair. Currently the park is vunerable to vandalism especially on the bluff due to its isolated location and easy acces from the boat launching area. A good case might be made to block park access from that area or even controll access to the launching area, recognizing that there would be objections. Placing the Memorial near the Visitor Center would not be as impressive from a visual or spiritual standpoint. However, there would be huge savings to only doing minimal improvement between the Visitor Center and bluff as well as the Overlook. Placing the bronze panels on the back of the History Wall has little to recommend it, but is better than having no Memorial.

Several Overlook sites have been proposed for the Memorial over the years:

TOP OF THE KNOLL - This is the preferred site from an acetic, impressive and spiritual standpoints. It has easy handicap access through the Wildlife Viewing Shelter, stairs and switchbacks would be used for normal access. Construction access would be difficult. TVA is concerned about the stability of this site due some limestone caves. TVA might allow it’s use if it is capped with a reinforced concrete slab, installed without any blasting or excavation of the rock formation. This can be done using a retaining wall filled with crushed stone to create a level base. The Wildlife Viewing Shelter is a distraction, but could be screened with landscaping or an interruptive wall.

NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE KNOLL - This is the most recent site proposed which is less impressive. However, it offers easy access for normal, handicapped and construction. Access to the top of the knoll would be through the Wildlife Viewing Shelter.

MIDWAY TO THE TOP - This site does not appear to have any significant advantage over the lower site.

With a Memorial the Overlook would be similar to the NPS conceptual drawing on the cover and would include visual and audio interpretive material for Blythe Ferry and the Memorial. Without a Memorial the Overlook could be very simple. The effectiveness of the Overlook from a viewing standpoint will depend on TVA’s willingness to allow some trimming of the vegetation. The immediate need is to install a fence along the top of the bluff. Further plans in this area depends on what we decide about the Memorial.

The quarter mile, uphill walk, from the Visitor Center to the handicap parking lot may be a tough trip for many park visitors.

As a minimum we need to:

1. Identify about six to eight rest or potential interruptive sites and outline with stones and leveled with crushed stone to start landscaping.

2. Initially develop these sites as rest areas with benches and/or picnic tables.

3. Pave the road with asphalt with several sections made of paving bricks to recognize contributors, personal memorials, genealogies and other purposes.

As funds permit:

4. Expand parking at the top to the extent possible,

5.Provide some toilet facilities at the top.

6. Extend water and electric service to the top.

7.To make the walk interesting and educational we should develop the potential interruptive sites. Cherokee culture and history might be a good theme for these sites, starting before white influence and ending with life in the stockades during the removal. Sponsors could be sough for each site where they would have design input and receive appropriate recognition.

We could install some simple audio stations using amplified MP3 players powered by batteries and a small solar panel. Similarly we could MP3 players as single frequency FM radios with a computer controlled multi-channel FM broadcasting station at the Visitor Center which could also serve as a public address system. Cherokee story telling and music could be used in return for selling their Cds.

Initially the trail would be crushed stone and would later be paved. The trail from the Visitor Center to knoll could be laid out in proportion to the days a detachment traveled from Blythes Ferry to Oklahoma. Interpretive panels along the way would tell their story with illustrative sketches as described by a twelve year old that walked all the way.

Build a covered shelter to the north-east of the removal trail map amphitheater. It should have space for ten to twelve picnic tables to accommodate special events such as organization picnics, weddings and perhaps a locally produced play about the Blythe Ferry encampment and/or the Trail of Tears. This facility could be reserved and rented for special functions

The area behind the Visitor Center should be improved to accommodate special events and overflow parking. The improvements would consist of a crushed gravel road and display area with water and electricity service.

We have very limited space in the front room to accommodate the gift shop and interpretive displays. The gift shop should be restricted to the left side of the room to:

1. Serve as the park office,

2. Distribute educational and tourism information relevant to our mission,

3. Sell park and Trail of Tears memorabilia,

4. Sell books and other educational material relevant to our mission,

5. Sell authentic Indian crafts taken on consignment, and

6. Sell a few snacks and soft drinks, perhaps from vending machines.

The best use of the right side of the room is probably a video theater seating about twenty to thirty people and regularly showing:

1. A short production explaining our mission, a tour of the park, present our plans and opportunities for sponsors and a make a pitch for members and contributions.

2. A cooperative production of an automobile tour of significant Trail of Tears and Cherokee Historic sites in East Tennessee and North Georgia.

Longer productions could be shown occasionally, but would be shown largely in the

Meeting Room, such as: Public Broadcasting productions related to the Trail of Tears and Cherokee culture. The History and Discovery Channels might have some useful material and, Material produced by the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band.

Interruptive material would be placed on the walls and in glass cases along the wall.

The Meeting room should be used primarily by responsible civic, tourism, community, historic, Trail of Tears organizations as well as others that support and/or contribute to the park. We should not rent the facility for private use unless specifically authorized by and under conditions established by Meigs County. Interpretive material and relevant art could be placed on the walls. Perhaps we could have Bill McDonald paint a mural depicting the Cherokee encampment and Blythe Ferry.

LIBRARY - When the Genealogy Library was first proposed there was limited access to relevant research materials. A lot of material is now available on the internet and public libraries in Chattanooga and Knoxville. Perhaps the best use is to provide some basic materials and assist visitors in getting started on their research and directing them to available materials. Developing a pamphlet designed to provide such guidance would be very useful. Shirley Hoskins has an extensive collections of microfilm,(about 240 rolls) books and documents relating to Cherokee Genealogy and History that she would like to donate. She would also include several microfilm readers. It would be desirable to have a microfilm printer. Before making this contribution she would like to have a secure facility and have a responsible person in charge of organizing and managing the Library. Perhaps the Meigs County Historical Society can take on this responsibility.

Continue to seek sponsors for trails and a typical Cherokee home site across the road. Perhaps plans for a boat dock should be reconsidered.

Before we get into the details of a Friends organization we need to clarify the role of the County and the role of the Friends. The currently Advisory Board exist to provide advice to the County and it’s members serve at the pleasure of the County. The Friends is a completely separate from the County’s Advisory Board and provides supports to the County in planning, operation and maintenance of the Park by raising funds and providing volunteer workers to perform various functions. They are not in competition to control the Park, but are complimentary to each other. Some of the same people may serve in both organizations. It should be understood that the County has complete control of all activities at the Park. The Friend’s activates at the park are performed only with County consent and should be defined in Memorandum of Understanding. It is advantageous to the County to have an active and resourceful Friends origination.

There as been three predecessor Friends organizations chartered to support the Park. I do not think any of them ever applied for a 501(c). They never made an effort to build a broadly based organization and lost their charters due to failure to comply with reporting requirements, although they continued to operate informally. If it is decided to pursue very limited goals we may not need a Friends organization beyond the existing Advisory Board. If we seriously undertake to realize the parks potential we need a very capable and broadly based Friends organization or something in-between depending on our goals. In the following I have outlined my thoughts on kind of Friends organization needed to realize the parks potential and have included a draft by-laws, for consideration.

We will need to recruit some capable ang connected leadership that shares our mission and allow them to build the Friends organization. The organization should be broad based, drawing support from and cooperating with:

1. Adjoining county governments since the will be the primary beneficiaries of park,

2. A network of historic and Trail of Tears organizations related to the 1835 Cherokee Nation,

3. National Park Service and National and State Trail of Tears organizations,

4. The Cherokee Nation and Eastern Band of Cherokees

5. Local, State and Federal political leaders,

6. The local Birchwood community in areas of mutual interest, and

7. Like minded citizens and organizations that support our mission.

To be successful the Friends will need capable leadership and resourceful Project Directors willing to accept responsibilities and supported Member volunteers . I think the good source of these recruits may be retires that have the needed time and talent. These people can be found in senior and volunteer organizations as well as independent living communities. Responsibility for a specific job and recognition of the importance of their effort will go along way in motivating their efforts. A few areas that might appropriately delegated to Program Directors includes:

LIBRARY - Organize and manage the library as well as prepare material to assist visitors in researching their Cherokee Ancestry.

EDUCATION - Organize and manage programs and material to carry out educational mission for the general public and school children.

SPEAKERS - Organize a group of speakers to make presentations on: Cherokee History and The Trail of Tears and Researching Cherokee Ancestry to a wide range of organizations while encouraging membership, contributions and sponsors.

WEB SITE - Develop and maintain a website to carryout our public educational mission, provide information about the park, develop membership, solicit contributions, and serve as the primary means of communication with our members.

MEDIA - Provide presenters for radio and TV programs, Develop opportunities to get newspapers and magazines to write articles about the Park and our programs.

PROMOTION - Respond to and develop opportunity to promote the park and our programs

EVENT COORDINATOR - Responsible for planning and coordinating a program of cultural, educational, entertainment, wildlife, exhibits or other public events at the Park.

TOURISM - Work with regional tourism organizations to promote the Park and work with related Trail of Tears and Historic sites to create a network to support each other in providing literature and sponsoring tours locally as well as tours originating from Oklahoma, Cherokee or other locations.

TRAIL OF TEARS - Work with the National Park Service and National as well as State Trail of Tears organizations to support our common interest, and work with The Cherokee Nation and Easter Band to develop and maintain their continuing support.

PROJECTS MANAGER - Appoint a individual to be responsible for planning, overseeing and coordinating specific projects or programs as the needed.

GIFT SHOP MANAGER - Responsible for managing and operating the Gift Shop. The net proceed from the Gift Shop as well as donations received there will go directly to the County.

POLITICAL - Maintain contact with local, state and federal leaders to encourage and maintain their support.

GRANTS - Research and apply for grants from government agencies and private institutions that may be applicable to park development or supporting our mission.

MEMBERSHIP - Manage membership recruiting programs such as donor bricks etc, Maintain membership records and be responsible for communication with our members

PLANNING - Coordinate and maintain current park development plans to assist in obtaining sponsors for particular items needed or a major project.

LANDSCAPING - Development of plans and overseeing instillation and maintenance.

Several of these could be delegated to a single Project Director.

Obtaining a Tennessee nonprofit public benefit corporation is fairly simple. The purpose(Mission Statement) needs to be defined, a copy of the bylaws, and deciding if it will have members. The rest is about the organizers and standard provisions. The initial filing fee is $100.00. A well crafted mission statement is important to attract major contributors. Something like the following might be appropriate:

Our purpose is to memorialize and educate the public and future

generations about the Cherokee people that were removed from

their ancestral land as the result of the fraudulent 1835 New Echota

Treaty. This regrettable episodes U. S. History should not be

forgotten and has become known as the “Trail of Tears” .

The State recommends that the organization not have members since this can cause complications in dissolving and managing the organization. However, if decide not to have members we can still have dues paying members as long as they can not control the Board of Directors.

In order to accept tax deductible contributions we must submit the 26 page IRS Form 1023 as well as other documents to the IRS. This form is rather complicated and asks for information about predecessor organizations and their financial records. If there are no complications we may be able to start accepting contributions on the date of submission. However, I understand that tax deductible contribution can be made to the County. Since I anticipate that our average contributions over a four year period would exceed $30,000.00 our filing fee would be $500