New Echota is a State Historical Site dedicated to the Cherokee Indians lifestyle prior to The Trail of Tears in 1835. It was the Cherokee Nation Capitol beginning in 1819 when the Cherokee Council changed from their clan system to a town council government. For years they built a communal town encompassing several hundred acres with a variety of structures of the period.
Today, there are a number of structures at the site which provide an insight into this time in history. The park tells of the creation of a written language along with people that were dramatically changing the way they lived because of treaties with the United States. The park covers 200 acres and there are opportunities to take a leisurely walks to see examples of life in the early 1800s.
There are information pedestals located throughout the park to provide details of the structures. You also learn of the people that existed here and the difficulties they encounter. It is easy to put yourself in the shoes of the Cherokee Indians when you see a location you could imagine living during the 1800s. The park also has rangers that provide interesting historical facts using stories that tied this community together. There are opportunities to test your own knowledge and even use some of the tools of the period. There are some exhibits featuring antique firearms, textiles and basic everyday living in a farmhouse that should entertain the entire family.
In 1835, most Cherokee Indians lived in small cabins on farms. Some owned stores, ferries and large plantations. See examples of corn cribs, kitchen tools, smokehouses and similar farm buildings within the park.
The print shop shows the Cherokee alphabet and examples of the equipment used to create the Cherokee newspaper.
Some of the homes on the site look familiar to those we live in today. Many rooms had fireplaces to keep the homes warm as well as to function at the kitchen areas.
Many visitors watch the textiles exhibit. You can see a working loom and hear stories about life in the 1800s.
Black powder demonstrations provide sounds you may have heard during the day. The report of the powder can be heard throughout the park and draws visitors to the exhibit area.
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