Our Mission

History Cherokee is a nonprofit organization engaged in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Cherokee County history.

Through strong community partnerships, relevant educational programming, intentional collecting practices, and historic preservation advocacy we strive to:

Serve as a trusted community resource for Cherokee County history.
Inspire our audience to become empathetic and engaged citizens in their communities.
Cultivate a love of learning and understanding about our shared past.

History Cherokee owns and operates the Cherokee County History Center and the Historic Rock Barn Venue.

Our Story

The Cherokee County Historical Society was founded in 1975 by a group of local individuals interested in preserving the history of Cherokee County. Now known as History Cherokee, we are the sole organization in Cherokee County engaged in collecting, preserving, and interpreting all aspects of its history.

History Cherokee is a private, non-profit 501c(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors. Until 2004, History Cherokee was a volunteer organization but today employs several museum professionals dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the region. In 2020, CCHS rebranded itself to become History Cherokee. This umbrella designation encompasses all our activities and allows us to share our work in historic preservation, local history education, and the Rock Barn event venue in a uniquely universal way.

Our Collection

History Cherokee has an archival collection consisting of over 100,000 items pertaining to Cherokee County’s rich history. The collection includes documents, books, photographs, oral histories, and objects ranging from Native American artifacts to farming tools.