VINITA, Okla. — Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. took formal steps on Feb. 4 toward placing the Chief Tom Buffington Home in Vinita onto the Cherokee Nation Registry of Historic Places.
Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner signed an administrative memorandum officially making the request to the Council of the Cherokee Nation, which will now review the proposal alongside a report on the property prepared by the Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources. If approved by the Council, the Chief Tom Buffington Home will be the 20th entry in the tribal registry dedicated to preserving Cherokee cultural heritage.
The Chief Tom Buffington Home is located on approximately one-half of an acre at 141 South Brown Street in Vinita. The two-and-one-half-story bungalow style home was built for the late Chief Buffington by J.W. Orr in 1910 and served as his longest and last place of residence.
“The Historic Registry Act of 2019 made the designation and protection of Cherokee Nation historic sites a high priority for the Cherokee Nation,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “Chief Tom Buffington’s home represents a pivotal chapter in Cherokee Nation history, and by preserving this site, we honor his legacy and the transition our tribe navigated during a challenging period. This site, like so many more locations across the Cherokee Nation Reservation, is rich in Cherokee history and must not be forgotten.”
Buffington’s activity in tribal politics was significant from the 1890s through the early 1900s. His term as Chief of the Cherokee Nation between 1899 and 1903 marked a crucial transition between chiefs who were elected by tribal citizens, to the federal government’s appointments by Congressional Act until sovereign voter rights were restored in the 1970s. Buffington also served as a member and President of the Cherokee Nation Senate, District Judge of the Delaware District of the Cherokee Nation, and the Cherokee Nation representative to the President’s Council in Washington, D.C. Later, Buffington served as Mayor of Vinita, with his last term ending in 1917.
“Chief Buffington’s service during one of the most challenging periods in Cherokee history deserves to be remembered and honored,” said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. “We have an obligation to not only identify and protect places of great importance to Cherokee history and culture, but to continually preserve these sites as part of our enduring heritage.”
The Cherokee Nation Registry of Historic Places was developed to identify, protect, and preserve Cherokee Nation cultural heritage sites. The initial register included 15 properties in 2019. Since that time, four properties have been added, including Little Flock Church, the Illinois Campground, Dwight Mission, and the Oak Hill/Piney Community Buildings.
“We are fortunate to have knowledgeable and hard-working staff in our Department of Natural Resources who are dedicated to this vital work of historic preservation,” said Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice. “Our office is committed to maintaining this registry and safeguarding these important locations for years to come, and the Buffington Home is an excellent addition to our growing list of protected sites.”
Under the Historic Registry Act, proposed by Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner and approved by the Council in 2019, the tribe’s Natural Resources office creates and maintains a database of historical sites. The act also makes it a crime to deface tribal historic sites listed on the registry and incorporates a permit system for excavation and manipulation of cultural resources on historic sites.
In 2023, the Cherokee Nation Historic Places Preservation Fund Act established a dedicated $1 million fund to preserve the tribe’s historic sites, ensuring resources are available for ongoing preservation work.
The acquisition of the Buffington House was at the recommendation of First Lady January Hoskin as part of her initiative to support public art and historic preservation in more Cherokee Nation communities.
“Preserving the Buffington House is an opportunity to not only remember Chief Buffington, but to preserve and interpret the pivotal period in history during which he served,” said First Lady Hoskin. “It also provides us with a new opportunity to showcase Cherokee art and history program, extending the impact of the Anna Mitchell Cultural Center located less than two miles from the Buffington House.”
“I am honored that we are pursuing the preservation of this important piece of our history right here in Craig County,” said District 11 Councilor Kendra McGeady. “The Buffington Home reminds us of the resilience and leadership that has always defined the Cherokee people, even during our most difficult times. As elected leaders, we have a responsibility to promote the culture, heritage and traditions of the Cherokee Nation, and protecting sites like this ensures future generations can connect with their history.”
Around 80 locations have been identified within the Cherokee Nation reservation for potential inclusion on the tribe’s registry.
For more information about the Cherokee Nation Registry of Historic Places, visit https://vmgis4.cherokee.org/portal/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=2327200a1f034ce6a7351b7172046890.