Murrell Home
Encyclopedia
The Murrell Home, also known as the George M. Murrell Home, is a historic home and museum in Park Hill
, near Tahlequah
, Oklahoma
. It was built in 1845, the building starting in 1844, and was most likely constructed least in part by slaves. It is one of only a few antebellum
houses that have survived in the Cherokee Nation
. The mansion itself was known as Hunter's Home by its first owner George Michael Murrell. George Murrell was married to Minerva Ross Murrell, the niece of Cherokee leader John Ross
. The Murrells came to Indian Territory
about the time of the Trail of Tears
(1839). During the American Civil War
, the area surrounding the Murrell Home was frequently raided by forces loyal to both the Union
and Confederacy
, but the Murrell Home itself was spared destruction during this turbulent time; the only local building to do so.
The Murrell Home was home to Jennie Ross Cobb (1881–1959), one of the earliest Native American photographers, who helped direct restoration of the house.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1974.
The home is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society
as a historic house museum with furnishings reflecting the period 1830s-1860s. The Daniel Cabin is a log cabin on the property that is used for living history demonstrations of Cherokee life in the 1850s.
The property features a 45 acres (182,108.7 m²) park with trails.
Park Hill, Oklahoma
Park Hill is a census-designated place in southwestern Cherokee County, Oklahoma in the United States. The population was 3,936 at the 2000 census. It lies near Tahlequah, east of the junction of U.S. Route 62 and State Highway 82.-History:...
, near Tahlequah
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Tahlequah is a city in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States located at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. It was founded as a capital of the original Cherokee Nation in 1838 to welcome those Cherokee forced west on the Trail of Tears. The city's population was 15,753 at the 2010 census. It...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. It was built in 1845, the building starting in 1844, and was most likely constructed least in part by slaves. It is one of only a few antebellum
Antebellum architecture
Antebellum architecture is a term used to describe the characteristic neoclassical architectural style of the Southern United States, especially the Old South, from after the birth of the United States in the American Revolution, to the start of the American Civil War...
houses that have survived in the Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation is the largest of three Cherokee federally recognized tribes in the United States. It was established in the 20th century, and includes people descended from members of the old Cherokee Nation who relocated voluntarily from the Southeast to Indian Territory and Cherokees who...
. The mansion itself was known as Hunter's Home by its first owner George Michael Murrell. George Murrell was married to Minerva Ross Murrell, the niece of Cherokee leader John Ross
John Ross (Cherokee chief)
John Ross , also known as Guwisguwi , was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Native American Nation from 1828–1866...
. The Murrells came to Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
about the time of the Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830...
(1839). During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the area surrounding the Murrell Home was frequently raided by forces loyal to both the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
and Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
, but the Murrell Home itself was spared destruction during this turbulent time; the only local building to do so.
The Murrell Home was home to Jennie Ross Cobb (1881–1959), one of the earliest Native American photographers, who helped direct restoration of the house.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1974.
The home is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma Historical Society
The Oklahoma Historical Society is an agency of the government of Oklahoma dedicated to promotion and preservation of Oklahoma's history and its people by collecting, interpreting, and disseminating knowledge and artifacts of Oklahoma....
as a historic house museum with furnishings reflecting the period 1830s-1860s. The Daniel Cabin is a log cabin on the property that is used for living history demonstrations of Cherokee life in the 1850s.
The property features a 45 acres (182,108.7 m²) park with trails.
External links
- George M. Murrell Home - official site
- George M. Murrell Home - Oklahoma Historical Society
- George M. Murrell Home info, photos and video on TravelOK.com Official travel and tourism website for the State of Oklahoma