Emissaries of Peace: 1762-2012

Two hundred and fifty years ago, Ostenaco and Henry Timberlake journeyed to each other’s countries as Emissaries of Peace.  We celebrate their stories and explore their cultures—Cherokee and British—with seven events in four states in 2012.

“We are looking forward to these exciting events, and taking this story of two cultures to a wider audience,” said Ken Blankenship, Executive Director of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and In 2006, the Museum created the exhibit, “Emissaries of Peace: 1762 Cherokee and British Delegations.” It was designated a “We the People” exhibit for its outstanding account of American history.  It has been seen by more than two million people, and its research has become the focus for cultural revitalization among Cherokee people in traditional dance, clothing, pottery, fingerweaving, feather capes, and more. 

            More information will be available on our website shortly.  In the meantime, mark these events on your calendar!

MAY                 OCONALUFTEE INDIAN VILLAGE OPENS. Timberlake and

                           Ostenaco will be in residence June-August.

                           PARTNER: Cherokee Historical Association

JUNE 9             CHEROKEE VOICES FESTIVAL, MUSEUM OF THE

                           CHEROKEE INDIAN  GRAND RE-OPENING OF

                           EMISSARIES EXHIBIT                         

                           PARTNERS:  Museum of the Cherokee Indian, NC Arts Council

JUNE 15          CHEROKEE LONDON TOUR

                          Tour of places visited by the Cherokees in 1762.

                          PARTNERS: Gilcrease Museum (Dr. Duane King);

                          Cultural Tourism Dept. of Cherokee Nation

JUNE 22-23    TIMBERLAKE IN THE OVERHILLS:  FORT LOUDOUN

                          STATE HISTORIC SITE

                         Symposium with scholars;  “Timberlake in the Overhills” tours

                         with Cherokee guides.

                         SEQUOYAH BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM  Emissaries of Peace 

                         traveling exhibit; Living history demonstrations; Warriors of 

                        AniKituhwa

                         PARTNERS:  Museum of the Cherokee Indian; Fort Loudoun State

                        Historic Site; Sequoyah Birthplace Museum; TN Humanities Council

JULY 7-8        FORT NECESSITY NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD (PA)

                        Event with Cherokee dance and living history; Emissaries of Peace

                        small exhibit

                        PARTNERS:  Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Fort Necessity

                        National Battlefield, National Park Service

JULY 18-22    TIMBERLAKE AND OSTENACO IN WILLIAMSBURG

                          Historical drama; dance by Warriors of AniKituhwa; camp of the

                          Cherokees.

                          PARTNERS:  Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Colonial

                         Williamsburg American Indian Initiative

SEPT 14-15    GRAND FINALE with SOUTHEAST TRIBES FESTIVAL
                          Living history, traditional dance, crafts, stickball games, blowgun

                          competitions, from five original Southeastern Tribes.  “Colonial

                          Lifeways Presented by Colonial Williamsburg” including the

                          Colonial Williamsburg and Fife and Drum Corps. 

                          Timberlake family reunion.

                          PARTNERS:  Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee

                          Preservation Foudation, North Carolina Arts Council, Colonial

                          Williamsburg Foundation

NOV 7-8        EMISSARIES OF PEACE ELECTRONIC FIELD TRIP 

                       Colonial Williamsburg PBS Broadcast of documentary film, Live 

                       Studio Call-in

                       PARTNERS:  Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Museum of the

                       Cherokee Indian