Family history returns home, by piece

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This is one of pieces of art created by Dr. Joseph Thompson, donated by Thompson’s grandson, George Purdy. Photo by Travina Coleman
The pencil drawing, “His Consolation,” by Dr. Joseph Thompson, is new to the historical home museum. Photo by Travina Coleman
Beth Herrington, left, Peggy Cotten, center, and Dudley Brown, right, spent time checking out the new acquisitions in the Thompson House Thursday afternoon. Photo by Travina Coleman

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March 5, 2010

By TRAVINA COLEMAN Press Staff Writer The Tahlequah Daily Press Fri Mar 05, 2010, 09:55 AM CST

TAHLEQUAH —

A few more pieces of Thompson family history made their way home, and local history buffs celebrated the arrival Thursday afternoon at the historic house on the corner of College and Choctaw.

Beth Herrington, a member of the Thompson House organization, said they were thrilled to get the items.

“It’s just amazing,” she said.

Original artwork by Dr. Joseph Thompson, an accomplished artist and Cherokee doctor, has been donated to the group by Thompson’s grandson, George Purdy of California. (Purdy, who visited his birthplace – the actual Thompson House – last fall, is of no relation to Tahlequah Mayor Ken Purdy.)

Herrington said it was Purdy’s first visit to the area since he was an infant. She said when he decided to make the trip, he was initially hesitant to bring the family heirlooms.

“He thought they were in terrible condition,” she said. “A friend who was with him convinced him to bring them in.”

Among the items Purdy brought are three Cherokee long bows, crafted before 1900. There are also four pencil sketches, which are now displayed on the Thompson House walls. Each one was restored and framed properly by NDN Art Gallery. Thompson’s marriage license to Lulu Elliot was also among the treasures, as was a photograph of Lulu.

One drawing, “His Consolation,” was admired by several of the more than 40 people who showed up at Thursday’s reveal. It depicted a table with cigars, cigarettes, playing cards, whiskey, and a pipe billowing smoke in the shape of a woman.

“I think it’s just great,” Herrington said.

In addition to the artwork and photographs, Purdy also donated four handmade Cherokee bows, also made before statehood, and two silver letter openers from the early 1900s.

Dudley Brown of Tahlequah visits the Thompson House just about every year.

“I helped restore the home,” he said. “It was a lot of work.”

Mildred Carroll and Sue Chapman enjoyed looking at the old things in each room.

Chapman said the most fun the organization has is when members bring in fourth- and fifth-graders to the home for educational field trips.

“They are always so amazed,” Chapman said.

Dr. Joseph Thompson was the son of Johnson Thompson, who came to Tahlequah over the Trail of Tears as a boy. Johnson Thompson went on to become a successful merchant in Tahlequah, and built homes for his son, Joseph, and his daughter, Jane Anna. Now known as the Thompson House and the French House, respectively, both of these structures are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thompson was a physician in early-day Tahlequah, and also served as medical officer of the Cherokee Orphanage. He was never a wealthy man because he donated much of his time and services to those displaced, disabled or left indigent after the Civil War.

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Family history returns home, by piece

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