heritage center also consists of a short outdoor trail, called the National Historic Trail Experience, which contains a series of signs which give information about the Cherokee removal and preceding events from both the Cherokee's and the European's perspectives. The Hiwassee River Heritage Center is one of five sites listed as interpretive centers on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail located in Bradley County. The Hiwassee River Heritage Center was spearheaded by the Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical society, which began planning for the project in 2011. The Hiwassee River Heritage Center officially opened on May 17, 2013. The panels were produced by Middle Tennessee State University's Center for Historical Preservation. The groundbreaking for the expansion of the center, which included construction of the National Historic Trail Experience and the addition of more exhibit space and a meeting room, as well as renovation of the exterior of the building, took place on August 26, 2016. The expansion was dedicated on March 30, 2019. See also Red Clay State Park Museum Center at Five Points Cherokee Removal Memorial Park References Bibliography 2013 establishments in Tennessee Museums established in 2013 Native American museums in Tennessee American Civil War museums in Tennessee Museums in Bradley County, Tennessee 19th century Cherokee history Trail of Tears Cherokee Nation (1794–1907) Charleston, Tennessee