Audio Description Videos

Trail of Tears

The forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from the southeastern United States reveals one of the darkest chapters in American history. Stories of hardship, endurance, love, and loss come alive as a grandfather experiences removal with his granddaughter.

Filmed at many locations along the trail corridor, Trail of Tears commemorates the forced removal of the Cherokee Indians from their homelands in the southeastern United States to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in 1838-1839. Over 4,000 Cherokees died as a result of the removal. The film highlights a tragic chapter in American and Cherokee history and portrays the struggle and determination of the Cherokee people to maintain their dignity and cultural identity.

This film is a collaborative effort among the National Parks Service National Trails Intermountain Region, the Cherokee Nation, and Harpers Ferry Center.

Executive Produced by Cherokee Nation, Cherokee CRC, LLCAn Aperture Films, Ltd. Production.

 

Duration:

26 minutes, 26 seconds

The forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from the southeastern United States reveals one of the darkest chapters in American history. Stories of hardship, endurance, love, and loss come alive as a grandfather experiences removal with his granddaughter. This film is a collaborative effort among the National Parks Service National Trails Intermountain Region, the Cherokee Nation, and Harpers Ferry Center.

 

Places to Visit Along the Trail

 

• 

  Hamburg Hill – Place to visit on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

  Thirteen detachments of approximately 1,000 Cherokees each left Tennessee in the fall of 1838 on the forced removal that became known as the Trail of Tears. They crossed into Illinois in October and December where an unforgiving bitter winter met them. Arriving at Hamburg Hill, they followed a steep-sided, thickly wooded hollow four miles to the Mississippi River. Today, visitors can retrace a one-mile segment of the same roadbed traveled by the detachments, on an out-and-back trail.

  Duration:

  1 minute, 37 seconds

 

• 

  Trail of Tears Commemorative Park - Place to visit on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

  The Commemorative Park in Hopkinsville, Kentucky was once the location of a winter camp and ration stop along the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears. Explore exhibits inside the heritage center and along the park’s walking paths which tell the story of the Trail and two prominent Cherokee leaders who died while camped here. Visit the statue garden, flag memorial, and walk a short woodland trail with picnic tables and locations for reflection.

  Duration:

  1 minute, 32 seconds

 

• 

  Mantle Rock Nature Preserve – Place to visit on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

  Mantle Rock Nature Preserve is a 367-acre natural area that invites visitors to explore rare and unique natural features of Kentucky and offers the meaningful experience of retracing a portion of the Trail of Tears northern route. A two- and three-quarter-mile loop trail follows a one-mile portion of the same historic road traveled Cherokee people during the forced Indian removal of 1838 and 1839. For more information: Go.nps.gov/mantlerock.

  Duration:

  1 minute, 28 seconds