Since 1969, the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home, through its passionate team of volunteers and staff members, has worked diligently to save the Major Ridge Home and interpret the complex story it represents. Major Ridge, the first known owner of this house, was a Cherokee leader who played a pivotal role in Native American and United States history of the 19th century. Chieftains now seeks to become a leading visitor destination through a rehabilitation of the Major Ridge home and farm that will immerse visitors in early 19th century Cherokee culture and the momentous events that led to the Trail of Tears, the 1830s expulsion of Cherokees from their ancestral homelands in the Southeast.
Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future
Transformed into a museum in 1971, Chieftains Museum is operated by Friends of Chieftains, Inc. which is committed to telling the story of the house while preserving the site for future generations.
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Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home is a National Historic Landmark and one of only a few private entities to be certified by the National Park Service as a site on the Trail of Tears. Major Ridge, whose former home Chieftains now occupies, was one of the signers of the Treaty of New Echota, which resulted in the relocation of the Cherokee people.
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To preserve and interpret the history of the 19th century Cherokee through the life, home and property of the Ridge family.
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Located on six acres along the Oostanaula River in Rome, Georgia, Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home features the historic house with permanent and traveling exhibitions, the Major Ridge Demonstration Garden, a Three Sisters Garden, interpretive outdoor signage, and access to the city's Riverwalk to downtown Rome.
Major Ridge (1771-1839)
John Ridge (1804-1839)
Visit Us!
Our Temporary Hours are:
Sunday - Wednesday: Closed
Thursday - Saturday: 10am - 4 pm
Closed on all major holidays
Admission:
Adults - $10
Seniors (62+) - $8
Students (K - College) - $8
Children 4 and under - free
Location:
501 Riverside Pkwy NE
Rome, GA 30161
