Tennessee River Museum - Savannah, TN - Trail of Tears on Waymarking.com

County of museum: Hardin County
Location of museum: 495 Main St., Savannah
Phone: 731-925-8181
Fee: Adults $ 3.00; Students & Children - FREE

"Savannah’s connection to the Trail of Tears is that John Bell and his group of Cherokee passed through the area and purchased supplies. Facsimiles of the purchase receipts are on display along with information panels containing standard Trail of Tears history information.

"Contrary to popular belief, the Indians were not marched at gun point by US soldiers to Oklahoma. They were allowed to move themselves, and other than a few soldiers for protection, an Indian agent who was authorized to make purchases, and perhaps a doctor or some missionaries, all those who went west were Indians. Groups departed from various internment camps where they had been held after being rounded up by the US Army. The group names come from the Cherokee leader in charge of the move, in this case John Bell. Bell led a group of Treaty Party sympathizers and he took a different route than many other groups, most likely to keep them separated from those loyal to John Ross. If this make no sense to you, please read the History of the Trail of Tears here on National Park Planner." ~ National Park Planner

"The most famous Cherokee son, Sequoyah, is celebrated at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum southeast of Knoxville. Although the museum focuses on Sequoyah and his accomplishments, it also provides information on Tennessee’s Cherokee heritage. In addition to the land route, one group traveled by water along the Tennessee River near Savannah, and another crossed the river after marching down Savannah's main thoroughfare. That slice of history is preserved at the Tennessee River Museum, in addition to archaeological, pioneer and Civil War exhibits concerning the river. More local stories are preserved at the new Chattanooga History Center, which also offers talks on the Trail of Tears for school groups and organizations." ~ USA Today