Before the arrival of the Europeans in United States, the region was populated by Native Americans. Among these numerous tribes are the Cherokee people, who hails from what is known today as the state of Oklahoma. In order to protect their cultural and heritage roots, the Cherokee Heritage Center was established. This is a non-profit organization and museum campus that aims to preserve, promote, and educate to the public the culture, tradition and heritage of the Cherokee people.

The Heritage Center maintains a central genealogy database and conducts genealogy research, as well. The Center contains a collection of historic documents, cultural objects, artifacts, artworks, and other properties belonging or related to the tribe. The center is sponsored by the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee National Historical Society.