MEDIA  ADVISORY

Cherokee Heritage Center begins new season with ‘Brother vs. Brother, Sesquicentennial of the Civil War’ exhibition

Civil War Demonstration Day in March to highlight historic items

WHAT: The Cherokee Heritage Center begins its 2012 season with “Brother vs. Brother, Sesquicentennial of the Civil War” exhibition. The Center is now open following its annual month-long closure in January.

The Civil War Demonstration Day will feature historians demonstrating authentic period items including weapons and soldiers’ wares. A variety of food and music will also be presented. Fort Gibson will display their historic cannon that will be fired to commemorate the event.

The Brother vs. Brother Civil War exhibition examines the Cherokee Nation during the Civil War and the struggles that took place in the region 150 years ago. The Cherokee Nation, while not a state, was involved in the Civil War as a foreign ally. Some Cherokee troops were aligned with the Union and some Cherokee troops were aligned with the Confederacy. The result was a war within a war that pitted brother against brother and destroyed much of the Cherokee Nation.

The exhibit features 40 freestanding presentation panels that include an extensive Civil War timeline. Additional topics include information on mounted rifles, money, Rose Cottage, emancipation, surrender, soldiers’ diet, and war medicine.

DATE/TIME: - Brother vs. Brother, Sesquicentennial of the Civil War - Feb. 1–April 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.

  - Civil War Demonstration Day - March 10, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.

- Fort Gibson Historic Cannon Firing – March 10.

COST: $8.50 per adult, $7.50 per senior (55 and older) and students with proper identification, and $5 per child. Admission price includes all attractions. Entry to the grounds and museum store are free.

WHERE: Cherokee Heritage Center, 21192 S. Keeler Drive, Park Hill, OK 74451.

WHO:  The Cherokee Heritage Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the premier cultural center for Cherokee tribal history, culture, and the arts. For additional Cherokee Heritage Center information, please call (888) 999-6007, e-mail info@cherokeeheritage.org or visit http://www.CherokeeHeritage.org.