On Wednesday, after visiting the Cherokee National History Museum in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, we…read morevisited the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum. The building that houses the museum was built in 1844 and is the oldest still-standing government building in Oklahoma. Not only was this the Cherokee Nation's Supreme Court, but it also housed the printing office of the Cherokee Advocate, a weekly bilingual English & Cherokee-language newspaper and the Tahlequah District Courts. Inside the building is a small courtroom on the ground floor and the printing press and newspaper office on the upper level. Prior to the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Cherokee Nation had its own courts. According to two separate signs on exhibits in the museum; "In 1817, a group of Cherokees known as the Old Settlers left the Cherokee Nation in the east and moved west of the Mississippi River to the Arkansas Territory where they set up a new government and court system. In 1828, the Old Settlers relocated to Indian Territory and brought their government with them. After the rest of the Cherokee people were forcibly removed from their southeastern homeland to Indian Territory in 1838 and 1839, they and the Old Settlers set about reuniting and created a new constitution which provided for the re- establishment of a legal system." "For many years Cherokee justice was practiced according to Blood Law, also known as Clan Law, an ancient form of tribal law aimed at restoring balance to individuals or tribal life. If something was taken from one clan, it had to be repaid by the offender's clan in order to restore balance. The creation of the modern court system used by the Cherokee Nation today stemmed from the tribe's need to adapt to a new world order and deal with the new United States government. At the same time, it was important to accommodate traditions and customs, so the Cherokees took examples from European and American courts and fused them with their own traditions and views on justice. In 1820, the Cherokees divided their land into eight districts with a judge and a marshal for each. Courts were held twice a year in each district, and exercised both judicial and legislative functions. A Supreme Court was created to determine cases appealed from the district courts. The Cherokee Nation had established a judicial system preceding that of the State of Georgia by ten years. In 1828, the Cherokee Nation adopted a constitution that gave district courts jurisdiction over cases of misdemeanor, theft to the amount of one hundred dollars, and any criminal cases except murder. The circuit courts, which were to sit twice a year in each district, had original jurisdiction over murder trials and cases of theft exceeding one hundred dollars. They had appellate jurisdiction over suits involving sums over twenty-five dollars. The Supreme Court sat for one month annually at the capital. It had original jurisdiction over murder cases; jurisdiction to hear appeals and review decisions of lower courts; and any cases brought before it from the circuit courts. District judges were elected by the people, while circuit and Supreme Court judges were appointed by tribal legislature. Every offender whose case was brought to a Cherokee court was given the right to trial by a jury of six men for minor offenses and twelve men for murder cases. Because the Cherokees had no jail, offenders were kept under guard until trial." What I found extra interesting was that in the exhibit for the Cherokee printing press, there was a sign about the predecessor of the Cherokee Advocate, the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper. This sign talked about a Cherokee editor of the Cherokee Phoenix, Elias Boudinot, who was upset that he was overruled when wanting to print pro-Indian-relocation articles. He ended up leaving the newspaper and was one of the non-elected representatives for the Cherokee Nation in signing an agreement to forcibly removed the Cherokee from their lands to modern day Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. I definitely felt like this should have been more prominently displayed because seriously WTF?! For the record, he was taken out by vigilantes for selling out his nation and is buried not too far from the museum. Overall, it was a very informative museum despite its small size. According to the visitor book, we were the only people who visited that day. We stayed the last 45 minutes until closing. Visited: May 2024.

A free museum with excellent exhibits detailing the history of the Cherokee Nation and its people…read more We spent an hour here and could have spent more if time allowed. If you love museums, don't pass by this one.

On Wednesday we drove to Tahlequah, the capital city of both the Cherokee Nation and the United…read moreKeetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. Their reservation spans 14 counties in Northeastern Oklahoma. In 1830, gold was discovered on Cherokee lands. The exact same year, not only were Cherokees legally prohibited from mining for gold on their own lands Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830. In exchange for $5 million the Cherokee people would "exchange" their homelands for lands in Oklahoma. Not only were the people who signed the treaty on behalf of the Cherokee not elected officials of the tribe in any capacity, the US government never paid the money out, nor were the Cherokee given a seated representative in the US House of Representatives per the 1835 Treaty of New Echota. More than 100,000 Native Americans, including the Cherokees were forcibly removed from their homes in the Carolinas, Appalachia and Alabama. The Seminoles of Florida even went to war for 7 years against the US government to try to hold onto their land. People were hunted, killed and those who were captured were forced to march a thousand miles on a journey that became known as "The Trail of Tears" due to 4,000 people dying on the forced relocation march. After the Native Americans were forcibly removed, their land and gold mining rights were then given to wealthy white settlers in lotteries. This land became the massive plantations (corporate farms) of the slave-era. I've been to Tahlequah before but they tore down the original museum that I visited in favor of turning this courthouse into a museum. Personally, the trail of tears exhibit was a better exhibit at the former museum. It always stuck with me how they had eyewitness accounts of US soldiers bayonetting pregnant women on the trail. It's just evil.

As a corrections officer this peaked my interest, so I decided to go with the whole family. Loved…read moreeverything about this old prison now museum, it was interesting, informative, kept the kids entertained and best of all it was all free. I definitely recommend checking it out.

I wish I could give this like a 3.5... It's not quite a 4 but not so much a 3 either…read more The entry fee is $5 and you walk in to a small little "gift shop" of shelves filled with books and local, handmade, and Cherokee gifts including marbles, pins that say "Osiyo" and books from Cherokee writers. The main exhibit is really about 2 rooms that are all open to each other. There are life size scale mannequins with "outlaw" and "prisoner" regalia, as it is a prison museum. There are a few interesting stories as well as a few interactive activities such as pulling the weight of a dumbell that would have been attached to a prisoner's leg. Outside there is a replica of the "gallows" and the space that the prisoners might have lived and worked. The museum doesn't take long at all to get through so if you were bringing a large group, consider doing a tour of multiple historic places in the area (and there are a few within walking distance). The museum is interesting but not exactly enough to keep you entertained for long, although, it's very specific. If I were in Tahlequah again, I would recommend touring but I would likely not drive a far distance to visit. Original Tip: $5 entry, takes about 30-40 minutes to go through at most

Wonderful museum and gift shop dedicated to the painful indigenous history of removal as well as…read moremodern indigenous art and joy. It's located in an old historic building, which they share the history of, and keep community going through tart contests. There are a plethora of art pieces, books, and jewelry for sale in the gift shop. A nice little outing and rich history for those interested.

Very small but extremely informative museum. It's a short drive from Tulsa. I'm interested in…read morehistory. This museum presents American Indian history in a very informative way. Two stories filled with many interesting tools and insights to their history. Answered many questions for me. If you are in the area, I would recommend a visit. It's and hour or so if you are though. But I think well worth it,

They always have good visiting exhibits, and they routinely replace the murals on the outside of…read morethe building, so the building is always interresting.

I've only ever gone here for the Renaissance fair but every time I go, I have an amazing time. I…read morealways enjoy the jousting and the sword fighting. There's a lot of other great shows as well that I always enjoy. I'm always so impressed with the people being in character even while drunk. It's just a fun environment. I love that. The weather was perfect this year. the food was amazing all the outfits that everyone chooses to get up in our wonderful as well. The parade is so much fun. This is just a great experience that I really enjoy and would recommend to everyone whether you wanna dress up or not. it's super fun. You are going to spend a little bit of money so it's not a cheap experience but it's a good weekend experience that's worth it.

I guess the $5 at the admission entrance is to keep the hoodlums and heathens out…read more The lady at the scan gate is rude and has absolutely no peopling skills.. But that's Muskogee for you. Evidently, excited autistic children is not her exceptional quality of welcoming. If you buy your attraction tickets online, it' will cover your $5 admission. Mind you, the workers have had enough. They are not here to entertain you. The Psychopath in Sperry is the 100 go to!!

We did not pick our own peaches here because weopted for some from their market. I bought some…read more"over ripe" peaches to make jam. They were fine and most of them could have just been eaten fresh. We also bought quarts of three different varieties. The peaches are picked a bit early and so you might need to wait 2-3 days before you can preserve them or bake with them. The market also had squash, tomatoes and cucumbers. Staff was very friendly. On our way back to our car, the owner stopped us to apologize for the parking (they were busy) and we chatted with him a while. Very nice guy! If you want to pick your own, call ahead. Not sure you can do that everyday. I would return!

Livesay Orchards has some amazing peaches and vegetables. Today was our first time to visit this…read morelocation. I was surprised of all the different items that were available to purchase. They had local raw honey,jarred jam,jarred pickles,and plenty of other fresh jarred items. The staff were very friendly and able to answer all our questions. Thank you so much we really enjoyed our visit and planning our next visit.

Clark was amazing. We had no idea what we were walking into. The store alone is breathtaking, and…read morethen add in some amazing magic tricks. I encourage everyone to visit at least once. We had a blast there.

A Truly Magical Experience!…read more The Magic Showplace Theater and Rabbit-in-Hat Magic Shop is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk through the door, you're surrounded by wonder, warmth, and an atmosphere that instantly brings out your inner kid. The shows are top-notch--funny, clever, and filled with jaw-dropping illusions that leave audiences of all ages amazed. But what truly sets this place apart is the owner, Clark. He's nothing short of incredible. Clark's passion for magic shines in everything he does--from his engaging performances to the welcoming way he treats every guest who steps inside. He has a rare ability to make everyone feel like they're part of the magic, whether you're enjoying a show or browsing the shop. His knowledge, charisma, and genuine kindness create an unforgettable experience. The Rabbit-in-Hat Magic Shop is equally fantastic, offering a great selection of tricks for beginners and seasoned magicians alike. Clark is always happy to give tips, demos, and guidance, making it the perfect place to learn something new. If you're looking for a unique, charming, and truly magical outing, The Magic Showplace Theater and Rabbit-in-Hat Magic Shop is a must-visit. Clark makes it extraordinary.