The Hall of Ancients - Southeastern Indians     

The next stop is the Hall of the Ancients which offers more detailed historical information about the Indians and settlers. This venue offers beautifully designed dioramas depicting more than 12,000 years of regional history, as well as interactive computers with touch screens that are easily used by adults and children alike. 

The centerpiece of this room is a massive petroglyph donated to Reinhardt College. This ancient and mysterious carved rock was found years ago on the Cline property in the Hickory Log area of Cherokee County.

The many other artifacts displayed in this room are examples from four large collections totaling more than 6,000 items from northwest Georgia. These artifacts were donated to the Funk Heritage Center from the collections of Margie and Tommy Dunn, Buck Cheeves, Hank Hitt and Jack Richardson. The more significant pieces are exhibited chronologically and described in detail. Starting with the Paleoindian era and moving through the Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian and Historic periods, the Hall of the Ancients depicts the lifestyles and tools of our indigenous peoples.

Cherokee Removal - The Trail of Tears

See For Yourself
Segments from a film, The Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy, which plays continually in this area, gives visitors insight into the Cherokee peoples' difficulties. Produced by Rich-Heape Films, Inc., the film is narrated by James Earl Jones. In addition, you may recognized other celebrity voices: actors James Garner and John Buttram, singer Crystal Gayle, former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder and well-known Cherokee actor Wes Studi. A host of historical experts from major universities also assisted in recounting the story.

Copies of this two-hour DVD are available for purchase in the museum gift shop.

Also in the Hall of Ancients: Removal of Cherokee Indians in 1830s

Thanks to the generosity of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association and other anonymous donors, museum visitors can see a timeline, maps and information about the Cherokee Indian removal from Georgia during the 1830s. A section of the Hall of Ancients documents the hardships they endured.