The Cherokee Nation opened a National Research Center Wednesday that is housing the tribes' most important artifacts. Last year, the Cherokees identified problems at the Cherokee Heritage Center that left historic items vulnerable to storms, fire, and flooding. The new 5,000 square foot building has modern climate and fire systems. It’s part of the Cherokee Springs Plaza in Tahlequah.
The center has a secure vault accessible only to researchers, and a public area with genealogy information and a...