The Museum of the Cherokee Indian works to preserve and perpetuate the history, culture, and stories of the Cherokee people through a permanent exhibit, an extensive artifact collection, archives, education programs, an artist series, a museum store, and publication of the Journal of Cherokee Studies. It opened in 1948, moved to its present facility in 1976, and underwent a total exhibit renovation in 1998 with installation of a new 12,000-square-foot exhibit. The non-profit organization has helped revitalize stamped pottery through creation of and work with the Cherokee Potters Guild, as well as traditional dance through sponsorship of the Warriors of AniKituhwa, traditional 18th century Cherokee dress, feather capes, and language, and it received the Community Traditions Award from the North Carolina Arts Council for this work. The North Carolina mountains and foothills were designated the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in recognition of their natural beauty and living traditions of music, craft, agriculture, and Cherokee culture, and this location is part of a regional trail of distinctive heritage sites.