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Deal offered to run ancient Indian site in Ohio

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The Associated Press Updated 1:16 PM Saturday, July 4, 2009

OREGONIA, Ohio — A nonprofit group has offered to take over management of Fort Ancient, a prehistoric Indian site faced with closing down this summer because of proposed cuts in state funding.

If approved by state officials, Fort Ancient would be the 34th of 58 Ohio Historical Society sites to be managed by a private entity.

Under the plan, the Dayton Society of Natural History would operate the 100-acre site near Oregonia. The group already manages a similar archaeological complex — the SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park in Dayton.

"They would be a great partner to work with us," said George Kane, director of historic sites for the Ohio Historical Society.

If approved by the historical society's board of trustees, the transition to new management could take place by Aug. 1, Kane said. The historical society would still be responsible for capital improvements.

The state is looking to forge similar partnerships to manage 13 other historic places. Gov. Ted Strickland's proposed budget calls for about $3.5 million in cuts to the Ohio Historical Society.

Fort Ancient's earthworks were built by Native Americans of the prehistoric Hopewell culture, which used the land for ceremonial and social gatherings.

The site's series of earthen walls — now covered with grass and trees — are more than 3.5 miles long and enclose about 100 hilltop acres overlooking the Little Miami River near Oregonia, about 30 miles northeast of Cincinnati.

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Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com

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July 04, 2009 05:11 PM EDT

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Indians are not very big on museums, as a Shawnee I love to walk where the long dead lie in peace. one day I will lie somewhere and I love knowing that someone or anyone is willing to cover the tribes and another someone will walk as I do remembering,connecting and honoring all who lie at Fort Ancient, and of course my family will continue to dance as I do for our ancestors in future gatherings. Keeping the fort for our next generations will be a great thing.

............wowasa
12:28 PM, 7/27/2009

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The replicas are no different than those we viewed in the "Cherokee Museum" in Cherokee, North Carolina a couple weeks ago.

There is only so much that can be done to a manequin.

Last visit to Fort Ancient was three years ago. My husband had never been there and I was there many years prior.

Hope the Dayton Society of Natural History makes the necessary improvements. Great place to find out about our history.

mjm
12:50 PM, 7/4/2009

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Thanks for the suggestion Mayor McHat.
If you'll note, this story is provided via our wire service from the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Although our staff did not write this particular story, we like to try and help readers with questions whenever possible.

DDN staff
12:49 PM, 7/4/2009

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Gee, HERE'S A THOUGHT, how about YOU (the writer) check and see if Historical Society members will still receive reciprocal membership benefits? We used to call that "journalism".

Mayor McHat
12:28 PM, 7/4/2009

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Fort Ancient is a he11hole - displayed in the dusty museum are REPLICAS of artifacts which aren't even from Fort Ancient plus the lifestyle scenes of the Fort Ancient Indians look like JC Penney manequins in halloween costumes - how authentic!!!! - ????? ....I can't believe I paid $24 admission for my family. The admission should be FREE & they should close the museum.

Sitting Bull
12:18 PM, 7/4/2009

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