We all know our town, Rome, Georgia, is packed with incredible stories, but there is a stunning piece of history right in our own backyard that needs to be on your local radar. If you’ve ever driven down Riverside Parkway, you’ve probably noticed that beautiful, regal house sitting there. That is The Chieftains Museum also known as Major Ridge Home, and it is a total hidden gem.
I recently had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Executive Director Kamilah McElwee and Museum Manager Bella McCauley. Their passion for this place is contagious, and they are on a mission to reestablish this incredible non-profit within our community after being mostly closed for 2025.
Here is why you need to plan a visit, and more importantly, how we can rally around them!
The Story Behind the Walls
The Chieftains Museum is the historic home of Cherokee leader Major Ridge. Want to hear something amazing? The original log cabin, built around 1819, is actually still hidden underneath the walls of the current house! They simply built around the original structure as a way to preserve it. The house got its name because later residents knew Major Ridge was called “the chieftain” by the people around him.
Unlike some of the stereotypes you might see in old Westerns, Major Ridge was wealthy and ran a plantation, offering a unique glimpse into how this specific Cherokee family thrived and lived.
Kamilah shared that one of the biggest misconceptions people have is that the Cherokee people simply disappeared after the Trail of Tears. The museum’s primary mission is to teach our kids and the public that the Cherokee are still alive, well, and actively preserving their beautiful culture and language today.
Meet the Dream Team
Running a non-profit museum takes serious heart, and this duo is doing it all. When I say “all,” I mean it is literally just the two of them handling everything from designing exhibits and planning events to picking up sticks in the yard and cleaning the restrooms!
- Kamilah McElwee (Executive Director): Kamilah’s history with the museum runs deep. She started as an intern here back in 2013, wrote her Master’s thesis on the house, and managed it for years. She returned as the Executive Director late last year because she has such a special passion for this place and its story.
- Bella McCauley (Museum Manager): A Rome native who grew up visiting the museum on field trips, Bella recently graduated from Berry College with a history degree. After working at Oak Hill Museum, she eagerly applied to Chieftains because she loves history and wanted the opportunity to have her hands in all aspects of running a smaller museum.
Not Your Average “Boring” History
If you hear the word “history” and zone out, The Chieftains Museum is changing the game. They are intentionally moving away from just lectures and bringing in fun, interactive programming for the community.
They are hosting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Saturdays to give kids a hands-on way to learn. For example, they utilize their incredible garden space to show how traditional Cherokee farming techniques are still used successfully today! They are also brainstorming awesome, low-cost community events like hosting a tea party featuring Yaupon tea, which was significant to the Cherokee.
Throughout the house you will find activity stations for children and teens of all ages to get hands-on learning. These activities are covered in the cost of admission.
How We Can Support Them
As a local non-profit with their own board, Kamilah and Bella have to fundraise for essentially everything they do. Let’s make sure this piece of local history stays bright! Here are a few ways you can help:
- Shop the Plant Sale: Mark your calendars! Their big spring plant sale is coming up in April, and it is their biggest fundraiser of the year. It provides the operating funds they need to keep community programs affordable.
- Become a Member or Donate: Memberships and direct donations are crucial. (Links to donate will be right at the bottom of this post!)
- Visit the Gift Shop: They stock their shop with beautiful, authentic Native-made items that you won’t find anywhere else locally, like Cherokee copper jewelry and special soaps.
- Volunteer Your Time: If you don’t have the funds to donate, donate your time! They always need extra hands to help out in the garden or assist with tours.
- Just Show Up: Bring your family, spread the word, and share their events on social media. Word of mouth is incredibly valuable.
Bella said it perfectly: “Support local businesses… even if you’re not actively working with them, just showing people that what they’re doing matters is a big thing.”
Let’s add The Chieftains Museum to our ultimate Rome bucket lists, y’all. Go check them out, learn something new, and support this amazing piece of our community’s story!
The Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home located at 501 Riverside Pkwy NE, Rome, GA 30161
https://www.chieftainsmuseum.org/
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For more non-profits in Rome, Georgia check out When In Rome, Ga Non-Profits In Rome.
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