Stephens Co. Historical Museum Introduces Native American Exhibit

The Stephens County Historical Museum announces a new exhibit that features some of the oldest history in the county, replicating a Cherokee Village known as Estatoe Village.

Executive Director of the Historical Museum and Historical Society Brenda Carlan said that this exhibit brings more information about a topic that the museum didn’t have before.

“Our local history, information and exhibits are located in the old historic train depot,” said Carlan. “And most of the things in there relate back to what life would have been like in the early 1900s and late 1800s. There’s a history that we have that we really didn’t have a whole lot of information about and that is the history of the Native Americans- the Cherokee tribe that were actually located over on Tugalo River.”

Rosemary Miller, a retired teacher, spearheaded the project and was inspired by similar dioramas in Cherokee, North Carolina.

The diorama was built by Jay Cooke of Production Construction and depicts an everyday scene from the time when the Cherokee lived in Estatoe Village.

It sits next to a mural showing a scene from Old Tugaloo Town. And, a two-minute audio gives additional information about the Cherokee Nation.

Carlan said that the exhibit is displayed beautifully.

“It’s beautifully displayed,” said Carlan. “It’s about 4×4. A lot of people in Toccoa are familiar with the Tugalo Mound out there on the river, but it kind of sets off to the right back behind Traveler’s Rest area. When they come in they’ll get a good view because the mural on the left just kind of ties it all together. They’ll see how simple life was at that time.”

Carlan encourages the community to visit the museum to see the new exhibit.

“I think the people will enjoy it,” said Carlan. “It just reminds people, especially the younger generations that maybe haven’t had a chance to study much about the Native Americans will realize that they were in this area and they added a lot of rich history to this area.”

The exhibit is on display now and will be in the museum permanently.