RENOVATIONS: The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, located in Vonore, Tenn., is set to begin renovations to their facility. (Photo courtesy of Sequoyah Birthplace Museum)
VONORE, Tenn. – The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum is set to begin phase one of a renovation to their facility. Starting Wednesday, July 26, the main museum building will be closed for extended internal and external renovation, with a December finish date scheduled. During this time, many of the museum activities and features will still be available for visitors to experience.
Museum officials will be removing their current exhibit and begin replacing it with an exciting new exhibit and delivery system. This will highlight the story of the famous Overhill Cherokee, Sequoyah, the Museum’s namesake, and will feature his greatest accomplishment in a new unique way. Sequoyah was born very near the museum site in circa 1776.
Following phase one in early 2018, the Museum will begin installing the new exhibit and its updated building space. The general services and sales however will continue throughout these changes.
For phase one, the offices and gift shop will relocate to a temporary trailer where it will continue to maintain services to visitors on the current schedule of Monday – Saturday, 9-5 and 12-5 on Sunday. The Museum will still continue to hold outdoor classes and events on-site, moving the Timberlake Exhibit to the log cabin, as well as keeping the blacksmith shop open. Other on-site or nearby attractions, including the picnic pavilion, Maxwell D. Ramsey Shoreline Hiking Trail, the Chota Town House, and the Tanasi Memorial will continue to be open to the public.
“Thank you all for your patience during this time of growth for the museum,” Museum officials said in a statement. “We are extremely excited to officially begin renovations and re-open the main museum building as soon as we are able to. We are pleased you will be able to enjoy our site during this down time, and ask that you speak directly with our staff if you have any concerns or questions regarding the property. We are planning to have the grand opening of our new exhibit and services in mid-2018.”
– Sequoyah Birthplace Museum
