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New Cherokee Museum

By Associated Press

Tahlequah, OK – Cherokees dedicate National Supreme Court museum

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) One of the state's oldest buildings now will be used as a museum operated by the Cherokee Nation.

Tribal officials including Cherokee Chief Chad Smith gathered Wednesday to dedicate the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum. The building was built in 1844 and the tribe says it is Oklahoma's oldest public building.

Smith says the building was the site of the first sessions of the Cherokee National Supreme Court more than 165 years ago.

The museum will feature exhibits focusing on the Cherokee judicial system, the Cherokee Advocate and Cherokee Phoenix newspapers and the Cherokee language.

The tribe's preservation projects in recent years have included the building, Ross Cemetery, the Cherokee National Capitol Building and Cherokee National Prison. All are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.