I've got an idea to make a Trail of Tears diorama. I'm sure some of you guys have seen the following painting. I'm just curious how accurate this painting is to the real event. Would the clothing on the Native Americans and soldiers be accurate? I know the Cherokee adopted a lot of customs off of the Europeans like clothing, but how accurate is the painting?



I tried finding more pictures/paintings/dioramas, but had a hard time finding them, so any reference any of you might have would be GREATLY appreciated. I'd like to show a family traveling with soldiers riding along side. Also, where could I find figures for this time period and project? Would I have to make my own/scratchbuild? I've wanted to do this for over a year now in honor of my great, great, great... grandfather who was on the TOT when he was young. He traveled from the Cherokee, NC area to Oklahoma, then under his own will back to NC, then was forced back to Oklahoma. I saw a post on here about creating a holocaust diorama and it rekindled the urge to make a Trail of Tears dio.

Hi Brad,
I have to say: that's a wonderful idea for a diorama!!! I like it very much!
I'm sorry I can't help you with the accuracy of the painting but for the figures I think I would see if some plastic / toy figures (BUM figures), maybe after some converting / extra detailing,could be used.
Anyway could luck with this great project.

kind regards
Mark

Hello Brad,


Im not quite sure but I believe that the painting is pretty accurate. What you might want to do is do some research on the official Cherokee Nation website. Cant recall the address at the moment though sorry.

I have a great,great, maybe a third great? grandmother that was on the trail as well.

The Picture is fairly accurate in representing clothingand basic details. But certainly this represent the beginning of the journey, not the harsh trials of the Trail. We just dealt with this in a presentation in my US History Class. My students were shocked that the US gov't. did this... but I reminded them it is not so much the US Gov't. Or even Red Man vs White Man issue. It is the History of Man, beginning with the first man who raised the first fist or jagged stone in angry... it is a heart of man issue, not one of color, race, religion, creed or ethnicity. So here is my addition to get the "feel" of the Trail of Tears...



Love the Idea, I do dioramas for my Us and World Hisoty class, So Iwould loveto see you finish product to show my students...

John

Brad:
I assume this will be 1/35th scale.
You might want to take a look at Andrea and a few other companies for figures. Check a few of the lines at Michigan Toy Solider. They carry a lot of neat stuff and I have seen many Native American figures in some of their lines (I don't recall which)

http://www.michtoy.com/MTSCnewSite/figures_kits_folder/historicalfigkits.html

Thanks for the help guys. Yeah, I'd like to do them in 1/35th, 1/32nd, or even 1/72nd scale. I liked those Andrea figures, but they are rather pricy. I don't see too many Western models made in 1/35th scale, and most of the 1/32nd scale Native Americans figures are on the warpath But I did run into some luck on 1/72nd scale figures that I could possibly turn out something interesting. They are by a company called Imex.
http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=IMX&code=522
I've seen some of their other stuff, and it looks good too. I've never worked in that small a scale before, but I'm considering it. It would lend itself to a more complex and “hectic” looking scene. Of course I’m also starting to think more on getting some figure heads, hands and feet and just sculpting the bodies myself.

I personally think it's a great idea for a diorama!

If you decide to go the 1:32/54MM route, Shenandoah Miniatures might have some things you can use for the American side if things. They have headsets, weapons, and other items that might be useful. Michigan Toys has some stuff here. Also, if you decide to go with this scale you can use Historex's horses and other critters.

Might ease the scratchbuilding, sculpting, and conversion pain a bit.