National Register Record for FIRST CHEROKEE FEMALE SEMINARY SITE

Historic Name: FIRST CHEROKEE FEMALE SEMINARY SITE
Current Name: CHEROKEE CULTURAL CENTER
Address: MURRELL HOME ROAD, 3 MILES SE OF TAHLEQUAH
City: TAHLEQUAH VICINITY            County: CHEROKEE
Section: 15           Township: T16N           Range: R22E          
Description of significance: ALL THAT REMAINS OF THIS ONCE IMPRESSIVE BUILDING ARE THREE BRICK COLUMNS. DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1887, THE FEMALE SEMINARY WAS THE CENTER OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OF THE CHEROKEE NATION AFTER REMOVAL. THE SEMINARY WAS PROPOSED BY CHIEF JOHN ROSS IN 1846 AND CONSTRUCTION BEGAN SOON AFTER. IT OPENED IN THE SPRING OF 1851. AFTER THE FIRE, THE FEMALE SEMINARY WAS REBUILT IN TAHLEQUAH, CLOSER TO THE POPULATION CENTER OF THE CHEROKEE NATION. TODAY, THE THREE COLUMNS SERVE AS FOCAL POINTS OF THE CHEROKEE CULTURAL CENTER. LISTED IN NATIONAL REGISTER 4/30/74

Type: SITE
Historic Function: EDUCATION
Current Function: MUSEUM
Area of Significance 1: ETHNIC HISTORY: NATIVE AMERICAN
Area of Significance 2: None
Architectural Style: None
Architect: UNKNOWN
Year Built: 1847-1851            Original Site: YES
Condition: RUINS
Restricted: N
Documentation Source: None
Date Prepared: NOVEMBER, 1973