Blue Star Museum Program
Chieftains Museum is pleased to participate in Blue Star Museums, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families during the summer. The 2026 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. Learn more and find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.
Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.
This free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States military—Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps—and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
250 Years of Change: Unveiling America Through Hidden Collections
In honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home is proud to announce a new temporary exhibit highlighting rarely seen artifacts from its permanent collection. The exhibit will be officially unveiled during a special Candlelight Tour event on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.
Titled “250 Years of Change: Unveiling America Through Hidden Collections,” the exhibit brings together a diverse selection of objects that have been carefully preserved but not previously displayed. From everyday items to historically significant pieces, these artifacts help tell a broader story of change, innovation, and resilience across 250 years of American life.
On display from May 15 through September 1, 2026, the exhibit traces key themes such as cultural shifts, technological advancements, and evolving social landscapes. By placing local history within the larger national narrative, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which everyday lives have been shaped by broader historical developments.
History & Happy Hour
Join us for an evening of history, culture, and conversation at our History & Happy Hour event on Thursday, July 9 from 5:30-7:30pm at Chieftains Museum.
The featured presentation, Through Cherokee Eyes, will be led by Sonny Ledford, Cultural Ambassador for the Eastern Band of Cherokee, who will share insights into Cherokee traditions, culture, and heritage. Guests will have the opportunity to learn from Sonny's experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the enduring traditions of the Cherokee people.
The evening will also include light refreshments, beverages, and a hands-on activity inspired by Cherokee culture. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking for a unique night out, History & Happy Hour offers a welcoming and engaging way to connect with the stories that continue to shape our region.
Free for all current museum members. Potential members are welcome to join free of charge.
Sensory Saturday
Enjoy a calm morning at Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home’s Sensory Saturday.
Sensory Saturday
Enjoy a calm morning at Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home’s Sensory Saturday.
Homeschool Workshop: American Innovation and Change
Join us on Wednesday, July 1, from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM for a day of hands-on learning and discovery at Chieftains Museum!
Students will explore our temporary exhibit, 250 Years of Change: Unveiling America Through Hidden Collections, through a special scavenger hunt designed to encourage observation and critical thinking. Participants can also create their own train and covered wagon models while learning about transportation and innovation during the Industrial Revolution. Additional activities include making paper dolls and discovering how everyday life has changed throughout American history.
Drop in anytime throughout the day and enjoy engaging activities that bring history to life for learners of all ages.
STEAM Saturday: Pollinators and Our Garden
Join us for STEAM Saturday as we celebrate the amazing world of pollinators! Discover how bees, butterflies, and other pollinators help our environment through hands-on crafts and activities for all ages. Then take a stroll through our museum garden to spot pollinator-friendly plants and learn how you can support these important creatures at home. All activities included with regular admission.
Paddle Georgia 2026 Free Admission
On June 20th, 2026, Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home will be offering free admission to participants in Paddle Georgia 2026.
Paddle Georgia 2026 will chart a 95-mile course through North Georgia from Georgia’s Apple Capital of Ellijay to the city of three rivers, Rome. The journey will take us down the Cartecay, Coosawattee, Oostanaula and Coosa rivers. In total, you’ll have a chance to dip your paddle in seven different rivers (the Ellijay, Conasuga and Etowah all flow into our route). That’s a Paddle Georgia record!
The trip will take us from Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where the Class I and II rapids of the Cartecay and Coosawattee will thrill; across a portion of Carters Lake (where you may curse the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for damming the beautiful Coosawattee!) and through the Ridge and Valley region on the Coosawattee and Oostanaula rivers replete with rich Native American history (the capitol of the Cherokee Nation was at the confluence of the Coosawattee and Conasauga rivers!) and unparalleled aquatic biodiversity (the Upper Coosa is one of North America’s most diverse river systems).
As always, we’ll have top-notch campsites with restrooms, showers and air-conditioned respite areas, catered meals and nightly educational and entertainment programs. On river and off, you’ll have the opportunity to visit area attractions, historic sites and more. And, don’t forget the people! You’ll be paddling with a great group of more than 300 river enthusiasts!
For more information or to register for the event, visit https://garivers.org/paddle-georgia/2026-2/
Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
We’re celebrating our volunteers because they give their time, energy, and heart to our community! We could not do this without them and we want celebrate the incredible individuals who keep Chieftains Museum thriving! Join us for a Volunteer Appreciation Drop-In at Chieftains Museum on Friday, June 12 from 4-6pm for light refreshments, dessert, and a small token of our gratitude! Drop in when it suits you, grab a bite to eat, and let us celebrate the amazing work you do for our museum community. Please RSVP by Tuesday, June 9th by calling the museum at (762) 327-6124 so we can plan the refreshments.
Homeschool Workshop #2: Weaving and Beading
This is a drop in event open to all ages. This homeschool workshop is all about Cherokee weaving and beading. Make beaded bracelets, pipe cleaner baskets, and finger-woven bookmarks or bracelets! Learn about the Cherokee practice of basket weaving, finger weaving, and clothing adornment.
STEAM Saturday: Pollinators and Our Garden
This STEAM Saturday is all about pollinators! Meet some of the Master Gardener volunteers, create finger puppets, and get your own backyard field guide!
Adults $5
College students and seniors (62+) $3
Students K-12 $2
Kids 4 & Under FREE
Members FREE
Candlelight Tours for Historic Preservation Month
In honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home is proud to announce a new temporary exhibit highlighting rarely seen artifacts from its permanent collection. The exhibit will be officially unveiled during a special Candlelight Tour event on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.
Titled “250 Years of Change: Unveiling America Through Hidden Collections,” the exhibit brings together a diverse selection of objects that have been carefully preserved but not previously displayed. From everyday items to historically significant pieces, these artifacts help tell a broader story of change, innovation, and resilience across 250 years of American life.
The Candlelight Tour event is presented in partnership with the Rome-Floyd Planning Department in celebration of Historic Preservation Month. The evening will feature self-guided tours of the museum, light snacks, and crafts for all ages, offering a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for the community to experience the new exhibit! Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors/college students, and $2 for youth. Members receive free admission!
Toddler Time: Ferry Day
Have you seen Major Ridge’s ferry?
For this Toddler Time, take a field trip to Major Ridge’s ferry, practice fine motor skills, and explore creativity for ages 3-6!
Free for members
Adults $5, College students and seniors $3, students k-12 $2, 4 & under free.
Toddler Time: "Three Sisters"
Have you ever heard of a corn husk doll?
For this toddler time, express your creativity with crafts related to the crops from the “Three Sisters” agriculture! Create a corn husk doll and a gourd mask for ages 3-6!
Free for members
Adults $5, college students and seniors $3, students k-12 $2, kids 4 & under free.
Homeschool Workshop #1: Archaeology
This is a drop-in event for all ages featuring activities focused on Cherokee culture and the process of archaeology. Please press the button above for specifics regarding GA Standards and activities.
Adults: $5
College students and seniors (62+): $3
Students K-12: $2
4 & under: FREE
Members: FREE
Pricing for adults supervising field trips and co-ops is negotiable.
Family Free Day for Family Gardening Workshop!
Join us for a free day at Chieftains Museum from 9 AM to 4 PM in conjunction with the Family Gardening Workshop presented by Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful and the Floyd County Extension.
Join KRFB, Floyd County Extension office, Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home , Walmart Rome - Cartersville Hwy SE, and some of our amazing community partners for a hands-on, memory-making morning at our Family Gardening Workshop!
Family Gardening Workshop: Saturday, May 2 | 9:00 – 11:00 AM
At the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home | 501 Riverside Pkwy NE, Rome, GA 30161
Get creative with fun crafts
Explore interactive demos from local partners
Learn how to grow your own garden
AND the best part…
Every family will head home with their very own mini greenhouse, seeds, and crafts to keep the fun growing long after the event!
This is more than a workshop, it’s about building skills, confidence, and pride in our community!
Toddler Time: Fine Motor Skills
Do you know the story of Grandma Turtle?
For this toddler time, learn the creation story of Grandma Turtle and do related crafts to practice fine motor skills and creativity for ages 3-6.
Free for members
Adults $5, College students and seniors $3, students k-12 $2, 4 & under free.
STEAM Saturday: Indigenous Irrigation
April Showers bring May Flowers! Our second STEAM Saturday is all about Indigenous Irrigation and water usage across the Americas! This will feature a slideshow program from Berry College’s Dr. Virginia Gardner Troy, who has done extensive research on Andean and Mesoamerican cultures, an activity to design your own irrigation system, education on filtration and Cherokee farming, and more for all ages!
Tickets are $5 per person and cap at $20. Groups larger than 4 people will only pay $20 regardless of group number.
Herb & Plant Sale Day 2
Save the date for our annual Herb & Plant Sale! Our Members Only Pre-Sale will be Friday, April 17 from 5-8pm. The plant sale will be open to the public on Saturday, April 18 from 9am-4pm and on Sunday, April 19 from 12-3pm. We will have vegetables, heirloom, and native plants as well as a variety of herbs, perennials, annuals, and shrubs! The Floyd County Master Gardener volunteers will be on site to answer your planting questions. Cash, check, credit or debit cards are accepted with an express checkout available for cash and check purchases. For more information, call the museum at (762) 327-6124 or visit our website at www.chieftainsmuseum.org.
Herb & Plant Sale Day 1
Save the date for our annual Herb & Plant Sale! Our Members Only Pre-Sale will be Friday, April 17 from 5-8pm. The plant sale will be open to the public on Saturday, April 18 from 9am-4pm and on Sunday, April 19 from 12-3pm. We will have vegetables, heirloom, and native plants as well as a variety of herbs, perennials, annuals, and shrubs! The Floyd County Master Gardener volunteers will be on site to answer your planting questions. Cash, check, credit or debit cards are accepted with an express checkout available for cash and check purchases. For more information, call the museum at (762) 327-6124 or visit our website at www.chieftainsmuseum.org.
Members Only Plant Pre-Sale
Save the date for our annual Herb & Plant Sale! Our Members Only Pre-Sale will be Friday, April 17 from 5-8pm. The plant sale will be open to the public on Saturday, April 18 from 9am-4pm and on Sunday, April 19 from 12-3pm. We will have vegetables, heirloom, and native plants as well as a variety of herbs, perennials, annuals, and shrubs! The Floyd County Master Gardener volunteers will be on site to answer your planting questions. Cash, check, credit or debit cards are accepted with an express checkout available for cash and check purchases. For more information, call the museum at (762) 327-6124 or visit our website at www.chieftainsmuseum.org.
Toddler Time: Why the Possum’s Tail is Bare
Have you ever wondered why the possum’s tail is bare?
For this toddler time, learn the Cherokee story of why the possum’s tail is bare! The activities in this toddler time allow children ages 3-6 to express their creativity and practice fine motor skills!
Free for members
Adults $10, Students k-college & seniors $8, 4 & under free.
Toddler Time: Music
In Cherokee culture, music is very important!
For this toddler time, create instruments and learn a Cherokee story about marching to the beat of your own drum for ages 3-6!
Free for members
Adults $5, College students and seniors $3, students k-12 $2, 4 & under free.
STEAM Saturday: Georgia's Biodiversity and Endemic Species
Welcome to our new STEAM Saturdays! These are pop-in events for all ages on Saturdays that follow a specific theme. This STEAM Saturday is in partnership with the Rome E.C.O. Center at Ridge Ferry Park! Focusing on biodiversity, local habitats, and Northwest Georgia’s animals, the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home will be providing activities, crafts, info sheets, and scavenger hunts for all visitors. Then, the visitors can head over to the E.C.O. Center along the Oostanaula River to complete their scavenger hunt and learn about some Cherokee animal stories with the animals they are about! We hope to see you there!
Tickets are $5 a person, or $20 for groups of 4 or more. Children 4 and under are free, as are members.
Toddler Time: "Three Sisters"
Have you ever heard of the “Three Sisters” method of agriculture?
The Cherokee used this method for farming corn, beans, and squash! For this toddler time, learn about the story behind this name and practice fine motor skills and organization with our sensory bins for ages 3-6!
Free for members
Adults $10, Students k-12 & seniors $8, 4 & under free.
Toddler Time: Sensory Crafts
This toddler time is all about fine motor skills and sensory activity!
Create pinch pots and play with sensory bins inspired by Cherokee crafts and culture!
Free for members
Adults $10, Students k-college & seniors $8, 4 & under free.
Toddler Time: Ferry Day
Did you know Major Ridge owned a ferry?
For this Toddler Time, learn about Major Ridge’s ferry, practice fine motor skills, and explore creativity for ages 3-6!
Free for members
Adults $10, Students k-college & seniors $8, 4 & under free.
Toddler Time: Cherokee Alphabet
This toddler time event is all about the Cherokee Alphabet!
Activities to improve fine motor skills and pattern recognition all relating to the Cherokee alphabet for ages 3-6!
Free for members
Adults $10, Students k-college & seniors $8, 4 & under free.
Toddler Time: How the Deer Got His Antlers
Our first Toddler Time event is here!
Learn the Cherokee story of how the deer got his antlers with a story-time and related crafts for ages 3-6!
This toddler time will encourage creativity and recognition of animal characteristics.
Free for members
Adults $10, Students k-college & seniors $8, 4 & under free.
Seed Swap
Spend the afternoon at the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home learning about seed saving and swapping seeds with fellow gardeners!
Free and Open to the Public!
Bring seeds if you have them, but it’s not required!
Seed-Saving Basics Presentation at 1 PM
Seed Swap 2-3 PM
2025 Herb & Plant Sale
Eagerly anticipated by area gardeners, the Chieftains Herb and Plant Sale will be held this year on Saturday, April 12th and Sunday, April 13th at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds, rain or shine. Sale hours are 9am to 4pm on Saturday and 12pm to 3pm on Sunday. Museum members are invited to shop early on Friday, April 11th from 5pm to 8pm.
As expected, our plant sale committee have selected the finest plants suitable for growing in our area from several well-known regional nurseries. All plants are healthy and fresh—they’re delivered just before the sale.
The sale will feature a wonderful selection of herbs, native, and unique heirloom plants as well as several varieties of tomatoes. Plenty of annuals and perennials will be available, allowing customers a chance to refresh their sun or shade plants after this latest cold snap. Knowledgeable volunteers and Master Gardeners will be on hand to help you select the right herbs and plants for your garden.
Shoppers may also purchase beautiful containers at the sale or bring their own clean pots for our experienced crew of gardeners to design and plant on-site for an additional fee.
Credit and debit cards will be accepted in addition to checks and cash. All proceeds benefit Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home.
For more information about the sale or the museum, visit www.chieftainsmuseum.org or call (762) 327-6124.
Lecture Series featuring Rebecca Nagle via Zoom
Join us for the powerful conclusion of the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home lecture series as we welcome Rebecca Nagle, a distinguished Cherokee writer, activist, and direct descendant of Major Ridge. In this compelling presentation, Nagle will explore the evolving role of Cherokee women in modern society, highlighting their resilience, leadership, and contributions to culture, politics, and advocacy.
Drawing from history and personal experience, Nagle will discuss the ways Cherokee women continue to shape their communities while honoring their heritage. This thought-provoking lecture offers a unique opportunity to engage with the lived experiences of contemporary Cherokee womanhood and its deep-rooted connection to the past.
Don't miss this inspiring event that bridges history and the present, bringing the Chieftains Museum lecture series to a meaningful and insightful close. This lecture is brought to you via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please register here.
101 Years of Frankie Welch: A Celebration of Life, Fashion, and History
This special exhibit honors the life and legacy of Frankie Welch, a groundbreaking designer whose work bridged fashion, politics, and Cherokee heritage.
📢 The exhibit will open to the public on Wednesday, April 2 at 10am.
Come celebrate the remarkable impact of Frankie Welch and the influential women of history with us!
Seed Swap
Join Dr. Brian Campbell from Berry College’ Environmental Science Department for a presentation on the importance of seed saving with an open seed swap afterwards. Admission is free so bring your friends, family, and seeds!
