‘History After Dark’ to take visitors on Ross Cemetery candlelight tour

Area residents are invited to come say “Osiyo” as Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism presents a unique opportunity to walk the grounds of ancestors and hear stories of generations past, with historical re-enactments of famous figures from Cherokee history.

Tours of Ross Cemetery are slated for Oct. 16-17 and 23-24, 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, per cemetery tour, while students receive a $3 discount with valid student identification, and kids 12 and younger are free.

The guided candlelight cemetery tours start at the Cherokee Heritage Center, 21192 S. Keeler Drive in Park Hill, and will begin every 30 minutes each day, rain or shine. Guests are urged to dress appropriately and wear comfortable walking shoes. Still photography and video recordings will be allowed.

Family fun will also be available before and after the tours at the Cherokee Heritage Center featuring fall festival activities, including storytelling, face-painting and pumpkin decorating. The entire family will enjoy arts and crafts from area vendors and specialty foods.

“Storytelling is a valued tradition in Cherokee heritage, and coupled with an opportunity to relive Cherokee history on these hallow grounds, it will be an experience of a lifetime,” said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which manages the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Department. “The recently restored Ross Cemetery will provide for a unique setting where guests will be immersed in traditional stories and historical accounts regarding the Cherokee Nation and its people.”

Tours begin with a short motorcoach ride to the newly restored Ross Cemetery, which includes an interpretive guide’s historical account of the area. As guests amble on the candlelight tour of the cemetery, they will pass the tombstones and final resting place of many high-ranking leaders of the Cherokee Nation, including Principal Chief John Ross, members of the Murrell family, the Ross family, and several survivors from the Trail of Tears.

Interpretative actors will portray several historical figures, recounting personal tales for the following:

• John Ross, who served as chief of the Cherokee Nation for at least 38 years and led the tribe through forced removal to the west on the Trail of Tears.

• John McDonald Ross, the nephew of Chief John Ross and the son of Lewis Ross, who was given land on which to build a home. After his untimely death age 21, he was buried on land now known as Ross Cemetery.

• Lewis Ross, the brother, business partner, confidant, and closest friend of Chief John Ross. He served the Cherokee government in various capacities, including Supreme Court justice and national treasurer.

• Minerva Ross Murrell, the oldest daughter of Lewis and Fannie Ross. Minerva died of malaria in 1855 at age 36. Her beautiful plantation home, the Murrell Home, still stands today.

• Return Robert Meigs, one of Chief Ross’ grandsons, who barely escaped from his home after the Confederate soldiers set it ablaze. That same night, his stepfather was shot and killed by Stand Watie’s men.

The History After Dark guided candlelight cemetery tours of Ross Cemetery is presented by the Cherokee Heritage Center and the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism department. CNCT also hosts four historically authentic tours including the Cherokee History Tour, Old Settler Tour, Civil War History Tour and Will Rogers History Tour. Tickets are available online at http://www. CherokeeTourismOK.com. Each tour is $35 per person and includes lunch.