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MEIGS COUNTY is responsible for development and operation of the Park under a 25 year Easement on the property owned by the TVA. The primary mission of the Park is to educate the public about the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral land and the unusual wildlife in the area. Blythe Ferry was selected as the site for the Cherokee Removal Memorial due to its historic role in the removal. The Cherokee Removal Memorial containing the Head of Household names of the Cherokees to be removed was the primary motive behind the Park as a passive tourist attraction similar to the Vietnam War Memorial. Site development began in 1990 and little happened until Congress Wamp secured a Federal Grant to build the Park including the Memorial. Together with State and local funds the project budget was $1,650,000. Priority was given to building a Visitor Center, Interpretive displays and parking facilities. When the Visitor Center opened in 2009 only about $180,000 remained for the Memorial which also required the County to provide an additional $45,000 in matching funds to use these grants. The Blythe Ferry site is located in a remote corner of the County far off the usual tourism path which is of little financial benefit to the County. Educating the public about the Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears is an important part of our history that should not be forgotten and would become a Nationally and Internationally recognized attraction benefiting southeastern Tennessee. This is not a something that Meigs County can do alone. We need your help, please MAKE A CONTRIBUTION.

FRIENDS OF THE CHEROKEE is a Tennessee non-profit corporation provided for in the TVA Easement to support Meigs County in the continuing: planning, development and operation of Cherokee Removal Memorial Park. It’s mission includes: building the Memorial, developing an effective governance organization capable of sustaining the Park into the future, and coordinating activates with other likeminded organizations. The FRIENDS is chartered as a non-membership organization. and consist primarily of the people that have been the principal proponents of the Cherokee Removal Memorial for over 20 years. Become a Friend and MAKE A CONTRIBUTION to build the Memorial.

CHEROKEE REMOVAL PARK - BLYTHE FERRY is a Tennessee non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. Their primary interest is maintaining the existing facilities and making improvements such as trails and a fishing pier - boat dock. It is a membership organization with $25.00 dues per year. MAKE A CONTRIBUTION to help maintain and operate the Park.

HOME DIRECTIONS PREFACE MEMORIAL PARK HISTORY ROUTES SYLLABARY CENSUS

NEWS WILDLIFE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS CONTRIBUTORS LINKS