Ethlyn Conseen is shown at the first location of the Qualla Co-op. (Photo courtesy of the Qualla Boundary Historical Society)
The Qualla Boundary Historical Society was formed on March 27, 2014 at the Qualla Boundary Public Library with many interested people attending and joining. The membership has grown, and members have all learned so much about the Cherokee culture, history, and genealogy over the past five years. Everyone is invited to attend free of charge and if you want to join, the membership fees are $10 a year. The organization meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Ken Blankenship Research Center at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Society’s President is Robin Swayney.
Information and research on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is available at both the Qualla Boundary Library and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
The Society has had many interesting presentations over the past three years including: A History of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Cherokees; Information on the Tribal GIS activities; the Genesis of the Cherokee Tribe; various presentations by Brett Riggs, WCU Professor; Stickball and Cultural preservation; Not weeds around us – but Healthy Foods; Old Axe, What Happened Here?; Snowbird Day School; the Owl Family; Exploring the Cherokees as American Soldiers in the Creek War; and the Bushyhead family, just to name a few of the interesting presentations.
The Society’s next meeting is Tuesday, March 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ken Blankenship Research Center at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. They will meet at the Museum at 6 p.m. first and then walk over to the Qualla Arts and Crafts shop where Vicky Cruz and her staff will give a “behind the scene tour” of the facility and discuss the various arts and crafts of the Cherokee.
– Qualla Boundary Historical Society
