With its legacy of holding the most hardened criminals of Indian Territory behind bars, the Cherokee National Prison endured and operated after Oklahoma’s statehood and well into the 20th century. What changed? What stayed the same? 

The Cherokee National Prison Museum presents its newest exhibit, “Cherokee Prison: Post Statehood,” featuring tales of lawmen and lawbreakers, never-before-seen photos and an illustrated journey through eight decades of history. 

Opening July 13, this interactive exhibit looks at what happened to the Cherokee National Prison once it was purchased by Cherokee County and became Cherokee County Prison. 

What new laws were made and broken? How did the treatment of prisoners evolve from the 19th century to the 20th? How drastic were the changes to the prison under new ownership? Were the gallows ever used again? 

Find out the answers to these questions and more at Cherokee National Prison Museum.  

The hours of operation for the Cherokee National Prison Museum are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The museum is located at 124 E. Choctaw St. in Tahlequah, Oklahoma​. 

The new exhibit will run through Jan. 31, 2019. For more information, call (877) 779-6977.