The Rowan History Club will meet Tuesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. to hear William “Bill” Anderson on The Cherokee Removal.

The Cherokee, more than any other native people, tried to adopt Anglo-American culture. In a remarkably short time, they transformed their society and modified their traditional culture in order to conform to United States policy, to fulfill the expectations of white politicians and philanthropists, and most import, to preserve their tribal integrity.

On the eve of Cherokee removal to the West, many white Americans considered them to be the most “civilized” of all native peoples.

How then did the Cherokees come to be removed? Why were they forced to abandon their homes, farms, schools and churches? What terrible chain of events culminated in this catastrophe? The answers to these questions will be the subject on Tuesday evening.

Anderson received his doctorate at the University of Alabama. He is professor emeritus of Western Carolina University, where he taught for 35 years and served as the editor of the Journal of Cherokee Studies for 20 years.

He has authored and edited or co-edited five books including “Cherokee Removal Before and After” and “The Payne-Butrick Papers.” He has also written numerous book reviews, journal and encyclopedia articles, as well as forewords for two books.

He has been a consultant for “Sesame Street,” National Geographic, Discovery Channel and more recently “Who Do You Think You Are,” Tim McGraw’s Cherokee connection.

This program is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The meeting will be held in the Messinger Room (accessible by elevtor). Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, September-June. The museum is located at 202 N. Main St. Guests to the program should enter through the rear entrance.   

A roundtable format will allow for a 30- to 45-minute presentation, followed by a question and answer period. The Rowan History Club is open to all persons interested in the history of Rowan County. There are no dues or admission fees, and refreshments are served.

For more information, contact the Rowan Museum at 704-633-5946 or email rowanmuseum@fibrant.com .