Cherokee Heritage Center receives grant to help preserve historic documents
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Oklahoma Department of Libraries, in partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Records Advisory Board and the Oklahoma Cultural Heritage Trust, has awarded the Cherokee Heritage Center a Preservation Assistance Grant of $2,296 to purchase essential supplies for the Cherokee National Archives.
“These funds help our staff preserve a unique set of Oklahoma and Cherokee documents, which are housed in the basement of our museum, by purchasing acid-free boxes and emergency supplies kits,” said Candessa Tehee, executive director of the Cherokee Heritage Center. “Through this grant, we’re able to continue fulfilling the Heritage Center’s mission to preserve, promote and teach Cherokee history and culture.”
The archives include an ever-increasing collection of important Cherokee historical records, encompassing a collection of 167 manuscripts, 579 historic photographs, 562 original newspapers dating back to the early 1700s and 832 audio holdings. Attached to the archival vault is a non-circulating library with a specialized collection of 2,035 books for patron and staff use.
“In presenting this grant to the Cherokee Heritage Center, it is our intention to help further its commitment to providing the best possible care of the historic materials in its collections,” said Susan McVey, director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. “We hope that these grants will facilitate increased local support for the care of historic collections held by organizations such as the Cherokee Heritage Center.”
According to McVey, the grant opportunity was an outcome of a statewide survey that assessed the condition of collections held by Oklahoma’s 800 museums and libraries. The study found that almost all organizations have lost historic materials through theft, environmental damage and other causes.
“It is our goal to stem the loss of Oklahoma’s heritage by providing funding for secure storage, environmental controls, archival storage supplies, fire detection and other projects that address threats to collections,” McVey said.
Support for the grant program was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the funding arm for the National Archives and Records Administration. Grants totaling $50,000 were awarded to 12 Oklahoma institutions.
With support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an additional 12 organizations will receive the assistance of a professional conservator to assist with the development of Collections Assessment Plans.
The Cherokee Heritage Center is the premier cultural center for Cherokee tribal history, culture and the arts. For information on the 2014 season events, operating hours and programs, please contact the Cherokee Heritage Center at (888) 999-6007 or Click here to view info.
About Cherokee Heritage Center
The Cherokee Heritage Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the premier cultural center for Cherokee tribal history, culture and the arts. Located in the heart of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Okla., it was established in 1963 by the Cherokee National Historical Society to preserve and promote the Cherokee culture. The Cherokee Heritage Center is also home to the Cherokee National Archives, which is the Nation’s foremost collection of historic tribal related documents and artifacts from the 1700s through present day. The Cherokee Heritage Center is situated on the grounds of the original Cherokee Female Seminary, which is one of the first institutions of higher learning for women west of the Mississippi and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service has designated the Center as the interpretive site for the western terminus of the Trail of Tears for Cherokees and other tribes forcibly removed to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, during the 1800s. In 2013, Diligwa became the grounds’ new ancient village that authentically portrays Cherokee life in 1712. For more information, please visit http://www.CherokeeHeritage.org.
