Taste the Tradition: Betty Jo Smith Exhibit Now Open at Saline Courthouse Museum 🥣

Discover the rich culinary heritage of the Cherokee people through the life and legacy of Cherokee National Treasure Betty Jo Smith in a special exhibit now open at the Saline Courthouse Museum in Rose. Titled “The Center of It All: Betty Jo Smith and Her Legacy,” the exhibit runs through September 15.

Honored as a Cherokee National Treasure for Traditional Food in 1991, Smith spent her life preserving the flavors of Cherokee culture. Visitors will get a rare glimpse into her kitchen and her heart, with original recipes and stories surrounding traditional dishes such as grape dumplings, Kanuchi (hickory nut soup), and other beloved Cherokee meals.

More than a cook, Betty Jo was a cultural bearer. She passed down not only recipes but also knowledge in pottery, basketry, bead-making, and more. The exhibit features family heirlooms and handmade items, including clay pots, stickball sticks, baskets, and jewelry—many created by Smith or her descendants who continue her legacy today.

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