Field Trip Friday: Did you Guess it?

If you have no clue as to what I’m referring to, I’m talking about my challenge from yesterday when I decided to play a Where Am I? game.  Did anyone guess?

This field trip is a wee bit different because this one was a trip sans children because mommy (that’s me folks) is on a road trip one that is providing plenty of bloggy fodder for future posts. Oh, the things that I’ve seen…

I actually did try to fit in another trip with the kiddo’s before I skipped town, but the attraction we had chosen to visit was actually closed when we stopped by so we’ll try again and share that with you another time.

This week’s highlighted attraction, Sequoyah’s Cabin,  is actually found outside a small Oklahoma town by the name of Sallisaw. The cabin, listed as a National Historic Landmark was built by Sequoyah and served as his home when he moved to what is present day Oklahoma in 1829.

Sequoyah was born in the late 1700’s to an Indian mother and non-Indian father. His name at birth was Nathanial Gist. Known as an artist, silversmith and skilled blacksmith, Sequoyah is perhaps best known for developing a written language to (what I believe was his) native Cherokee tongue.

Sequoyah  was the taunted and made fun of during the 12 years that it took him to develop the language but that changed when he demonstrated that he and his daughter could communicate even when they were apart. Instead of a laughing stock, he became a much respected man.  

Arriving at the home site, you’ll see a cute little Visitor’s Center and nearby restroom facilities. The Visitor’s Center has an impressive display of arrowheads that have been collected over the years plus some educational materials and small assortment of souvenirs that can be purchased.

You’ll also see a huge kettle that used over an wood fired furnace to boil water from a local salt spring. As the water evaporated, the salt would remain. Sequoyah operated a salt spring until his death in the 1840’s. 

There is a path leading to a picnic area and spring that Sequoyah visited to gather water for his household. As you can see, this is a beautiful place to have a picnic.  

Today you’ll find Sequoyah’s cabin housed in a rock building in 1936 after it became the property of the Oklahoma Historical Society.

The stone structure is now a museum with exhibits lining the walls to familiarize you of Sequoyah’s life and accomplishments as well as some history of the Cherokee people.

Inside the cabin you’ll find a spinning wheel that is said to have had parts handcrafted by Sequoyah from his blacksmith days.

Finally, the mystery photo from yesterday is a statue of Sequoyah, meant to depict the moment that Sequoyah ‘conceives the written word in Cherokee.’ 

So, if you’re ever along the I-40 corridor in Oklahoma, I’d recommend stopping by Sequoyah’s Cabin. You’ll find it North of Sallisaw on U.S. 59  (3 miles) then East on State 101 (7 miles). Of course if you find your way to Sallisaw, you can follow the signs. It’s open everyday except Mondays and Holidays. Admission is free, but they do suggest a donation of $3 for adults.  You’ll find more information on the Oklahoma Historical Society’s website.  

Have a field trip that you'd like to share? Link up to Field Trip Friday below. It's not mandatory, but I'd be grateful if you'd include a link back here in your original post and feel free to grab your cute button:Until next week- Happy Field Trippin'!

Things To Do
Sallisaw