Click Here to See Trail of Tears Brochure!
Over the past summer, Jen Rideout and I [Sarah O’Donnell] have developed interpretive materials concerning the Trail of Tears in Missouri. The first phase of this project involved creating the informational brochure, shown here, about the Benge Route of the Trail. Many segments of this route are still preserved within the Mark Twain National Forest and have been surveyed by archaeologists. The brochure covers the historic background of the Trail of Tears, the detachment of Cherokee who traveled the Benge Route specifically, and recent survey work done on the Route. The second phase of this project is nearly complete, and involves creating an inventory of all Trail of Tears interpretive materials found in the state of Missouri. This will help the Mark Twain National Forest and other agencies dialogue with each other and inform the public about the Train of Tears in Missouri. To date, interpretive materials have been inventoried in 28 counties in Missouri. The overall project goal is to increase education, appreciation, and stewardship of the Trail of Tears in Missouri. The Mark Twain National Forest Heritage Program of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture is cooperating with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Missouri State University to accomplish archaeological projects related to compliance with Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The goal of the Heritage Program is to protect significant cultural resources and share their values with the American people