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Support the preservation and perpetuation of Cherokee history and culture: Museum of the Cherokee People is hiring for full-time and part-time roles.

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Now On View: sov·er·eign·ty

sov·er·eign·ty: Expressions in Sovereignty of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians illuminates the complexities of tribal sovereignty and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ continuing legacy of resilience.

Current Exhibition

Museum of the Cherokee People is Closed

Due to significant rainfall and flooding, the Museum is closed September 26 and 27. Stay tuned for updates, and stay safe out there!

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Support our work to share the history, culture, and stories of the Cherokee people and enjoy exclusive perks.

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Museum of the
Cherokee People

Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Cherokee people.

Established in 1948, the Museum of the Cherokee People is one of the longest-operating tribal museums in the country.

Located in Cherokee, North Carolina on the Qualla Boundary, the sovereign land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and ancestral homelands of all Cherokees, the Museum shares the history, culture, and stories of the Cherokee people through its exhibitions, collections, and programs.

The Museum of the Cherokee People is the recipient of the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums’ 2022 Guardians of Culture and Lifeways International Award and was voted a Top Ten Best Native American Experiences by USA TODAY.

The museum is open daily, from 9am–5pm. Last ticket sold at 4pm. The Museum and Store will be closed December 30-31 and January 1-2, 2024 for the New Year’s holiday. Both will remain closed for inventory January 2-5 and staff training January 6-10, reopening to the public January 11. Please note that the Museum's main exhibit is currently closed until further notice as our organization prepares for a full renovation.

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Cherokee History

OUR MISSION

To preserve and perpetuate the history, culture, and stories of the Cherokee people.

OUR VISION

To be experts in the care and protection of the Cherokee peoples’ history, material culture, and knowledge.

Upcoming Events

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What’s in a name?

Executive Director Shana Bushyhead Condill (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), Designer Tyra Maney (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Diné), and board member and author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) share how a new name and visual rebrand builds on the Museum’s 75-year legacy.

Become a Member

With new levels and expanded benefits, the Museum of the Cherokee People’s refreshed membership program features a digital membership cards via MuseumAnywhere, one-of-a-kind gifts, exclusive offers and events, reciprocal privileges that grant the cardholder free admission to museums around the world, and one-of-a-kind gifts for supporters.

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Museum Store

Even As We Breathe
$24.95
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Eighth Generation x John Henry Gloyne – Earth & Beauty Blanket
$200.00
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Four Winds Pendant
$1,000.00
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Media Inquiries

Museum of the Cherokee People staff are available for interviews. For media inquiries, please use the link below to contact us for more information.

 

Contact Us For Media Inquiries

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Our Community

The Museum of the Cherokee People is proud to offer community learning opportunities for citizens of federally-recognized tribes both on-site at the Museum and virtually.

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Tribal Community Feedback

We invite our tribal community to share your ideas and input on the future of the Museum of the Cherokee People.

Share your thoughts

We’d love to see you at an upcoming community listening session!

Thursday, November 2, 6pm
Painttown Gym

Tuesday, November 7, 6pm
Birdtown Community Building

Thursday, November 8, 6pm
Snowbird, Jacob Cornsilk Complex

Tuesday, November 14, 6pm
Big Cove Rec Center

Tuesday, November 21, 6pm
Cherokee County Community Building

Tuesday, November 28, 6pm
Yellowhill Activity Center

Thursday, November 30, 6pm
Big Y Community Building

Tuesday, December 5, 6pm
Towstring Community Building

Thursday, December 7, 6pm
Wolftown Community Club Building

 

Additional dates and locations to be announced.

Museum of the Cherokee People
Digital Collections Archive

Our collection features cultural artifacts, documents, manuscripts, books, journals, photographs, maps, and audio-visual materials relating to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Browse Our Collection