Ohio historical park celebrates its centennial
CHILLICOTHE — Earlier this month, the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park celebrated its centennial year with various fun events that allowed the public to learn more about the historic site and how it is managed.
“We're excited to share this milestone with all the visitors to the park. The centennial is a time for reflection on the past and inspiration for the future. We honor the people who called this land home while continuing to learn, inspire, and connect others to the cultural stories,” said Chris Alford, Superintendent of Hopewell Culture NHP.
The park contains earthworks made in various shapes from around 200 BC to 500 AD. They were built by American Indians and used for special occasions such as feasts funerals and religious practices. The park was established to protect this land and the earthworks that still stand.
During the celebration ranger-led tours were given of the mounds, Dr. Bret Ruby the park archaeologist spoke about the history of the Hopewell Culture, a volunteer gardener discussed native plant farming and the team of people who tend to the mounds were on hand to show how they care and preserve the area.
Bryn Stepp, manager of regional affairs for the lieutenant governor, came to the celebration to present the park with a proclamation from Ohio's Governor Mike Dewine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted. The officials thanked all those who have helped in preserving this site for 100 years
Superintendent of the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Chris Alford said it feels great to be able to preserve history. He said this preservation isn't just about the park, it is about those who have a connection with the land and whose ancestors built the mounds years ago.
Ruby gave a presentation that covered the history of the mounds, both the good and the bad. He covered how different people over the years mapped the mounds, these people, however, did not believe that American Indians were capable of building such magnificent structures and due to the forced removal of American Indians from Ohio there was nobody to say anything different. Ruby said the archeologists of the time were learning in a vacuum with only their ideas to draw from. It wasn't until many years later that people agreed American Indians built this and many other great mounds in the area.
Several older archeologists also dug into the mounds to find artifacts that the park still has to this day. While digging they did not accurately reconstruct the mounds, which is why they later had to be reconstructed two times to be reminiscent of what they once were. Ruby mentions that today's archeology is much less invasive, using satellites to look in the mounds to see what is inside without disrupting the structures.
He talked about how these mounds being recognized as a monument is a "great testament to the local community" who worked to preserve and protect the land 100 years ago. Since then Ruby said that the community has also worked to bring back American Indians to the site to receive their input on what it was used for and how it should be managed.
Talon Silverhorn is a member of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe who has helped the park over the years. He said he remembers his first trip to Ohio where his Chief spoke about the ceremonies that took place at various sites across the state. He is happy to see that the park is working with American Indians on how to best honor and preserve the history of the site and is looking forward to seeing it grow over the next 100 years.
This celebration comes shortly before the site is expected to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list later this year. It will be added as part of the nine different sites that make up the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. Being added to the World Heritage list identifies the site as being among the most significant in World. The list includes well-known places such as the Pyramids of Egypt, Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China and the Great Barrier Reef.
"A lot of good things are happening," said Alford. "It's very exciting."
The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park preserves five sites of ceremonial earthworks constructed by American Indian people. All park grounds are open to the public during daylight hours. Learn more about the park and planned events on the park's website.
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at Sreeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_reeves_