They called him Sequoyah, and he gave his people a gift that will endure forever. He gave them a writing system, so that the greatness of the Cherokee could live as a part of history. Never before, or since, in the history of the world has one man, not literate in any language, perfected a system for reading and writing a language until Sequoyah.
The museum is located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee on the shores of beautiful Tellico Lake, equipped with a boat dock for those arriving by water. The new Max D. Ramsey Shoreline Trail features 1.5 miles of walking trail, along the shoreline, bridges and boardwalks through the marshy areas.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum is owned and operated by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. It is Tennessee’s only tribally operated historical attraction.
The Cherokee Memorial, on the museum grounds, is the common burial site of Cherokee remains that were recovered archaeologically at the sites of former 18th century Cherokee towns along the Little Tennessee River before the Tellico Reservoir was filled. The Tanasi Memorial, located 12 miles southeast of the museum, marks the former site of the Cherokee Village that was the namesake for the state of Tennessee. Just down the road from the Tanasi Memorial is the Chota Memorial, marking the site of the original council house at the Chota Town site.
9-5 Monday-Saturday
12-5 Sunday
For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact Sequoyah Birthplace Museum directly.
