Members of the county’s Trail of Tears Commission formally set apart one section of the Glenn E. Martin Genealogy Library for materials dedicated to genealogy related to the Native American tribes who traveled through Caldwell County on a forced westward march in the late 1830s.
The genealogy library’s Trail of Tears room was marked with a plaque Tuesday morning, in a ceremony attended by members of the county Trail of Tears Commission, a group formed in September 2004 to preserve the history of the march’s route through Caldwell County.
The Trail of Tears room features a variety of books and other information relative to the march and its aftermath, including a portion of the Dawes Rolls, which list the names of members of the five civilized tribes (including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole tribes) who were removed to Indian territory (Oklahoma) during the 1800s.
The Baker Roll, a 1924 tally used as a base roll for Eastern Cherokees, is also included at the genealogy library, located at 201 West Main St. and open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
In addition to the rolls and trove of other books and documents pertinent to Native American genealogy, the Trail of Tears room also features a variety of Native American-themed artwork.
Two prints from full blood Cherokee artist Donald Vann are prominently displayed, including “Trail When They Cried,” a print whose design was commissioned by the national Trail of Tears Association.
A painted screen by Cumming, Ga., artist Margaret Cameron, formerly of Princeton, is also displayed.
A map of the Trail of Tears auto tour route, provided by the Pennyrile Area Development District (PADD) hangs above a display case containing various Native American artifacts.
The Trail of Tears room has more than 100 Native American genealogy books, and Library Director Judy Boaz said the room would continue to gain more information and materials over time.
Anyone wishing to share information or documents regarding the Trail of Tears and the county’s role may contact the library at 365-2884.
The library’s idea of dedicating a room solely for Native American genealogical information is only one avenue of local support for Trail of Tears preservation.
The local Trail of Tears Commission also continues to work on the Princeton Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, located at East Washington and Edwards streets, across from Big Springs Park.
A wooden park sign, built by students at the Caldwell County Area Technology Center, was recently installed, and students were recognized for their efforts in a ceremony at the park Friday afternoon.
Land for the park was donated by Drs. David Hall and Jenny Franke, and the site was cleared by city crews and local developer Bruce Hanks.
Commission members plan to develop the park site over time with assistance from both public and private funds.
The park will serve as a reminder of Caldwell County’s role in the Trail of Tears and, in time, may host events relating to the Trail.
The City-County Park is planned to host another Native American event this summer.
A second annual Intertribal Pow-Wow is set for July 29-30 at the park, on Baker Hill Road off Dawson Road east of Princeton.
