Upcoming Events and News

Grrr … Garlic Mustard
Join us throughout the month of April to combat the invasive plant garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)! Volunteers are required to attend one training session to receive information on proper identification and safety techniques for the removal of garlic mustard from park grounds. Find out more

June 4, 6 - 8 p.m. - Meet author John Hancock for a book talk and signing, Ohio University Chillicothe, Stevenson Center
Hosted by The Friends of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Ohio University Chillicothe
Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks presents Ohio’s eight UNESCO-inscribed earthworks in a public-voiced, lavishly illustrated volume from Smithsonian Books. A re-edited expansion of the sites’ World Heritage nomination dossier—completed in collaboration with the Ohio History Connection and the National Park Service—it features illustrated descriptions and histories of these Indigenous masterpieces, with summaries of their archaeological research, architectural experience, and insights from American Indian scholars and leaders. Free and Open to the public but registration is required and limited to 100. Register at https://forms.gle/VJsBMbyWtsYUCoM86 Download flyer

SOUTH CENTRAL POWER ROUND UP GRANT AWARD
The Friends of Hopewell Culture National HIstorical Park want to Thank the South Central Ohio Power Round Up Grant Program for awarding us $8,940 to purchase bronze historic markers explaining the designation of World Heritage Site for Hopewell Mound Group and Hopeton Earthworks. The plaques will be mounted in stone at each of the sites in the spring of 2026.

Stay Connected
Subscribe to the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks monthly newsletter to receive news and updates regarding Ohio's only UNESCO World Heritage site. https://hopewellearthworks.org/subscribe-to-our-newsletter/.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

March 28—Flint Knapper Ed Moreland, Hopewell Mound Group, 1:00 p.m.
Ed Moreland, will demonstrate flint knapping for the public. A discussion of the history of flint knapping and the knapping process will be followed by a live demonstration. Learn about this ancient technology. Free and Open to the Public.

April 16—Understanding the early career of Warren K. Moorehead, Ohio University Chillicothe, Bennett Hall, Room 110, 6 p.m.
Warren King Moorehead is among the most noteworthy and notorious figures in the early history of American Archaeology. Over the course of his career, he led excavations at many of the best-known Indigenous heritage places in North America, including Cahokia, Fort Ancient, Pueblo Bonito, and Hopewell Mound Group, to name just a few. During his life and in the time since, his career has attracted an amount of assessment that stands in disproportion to the biographical attention it has received. Detailed historiographical attention is critical for several reasons. Foremost is the need by archaeologists, museum professionals, and Tribal heritage practitioners to establish the specific contexts of Moorehead’s work and assess its impacts on Indigenous heritage. Additionally, Moorehead’s career is perhaps the most illuminating case study for understanding the discipline’s period of professionalization. This presentation will discuss Moorehead’s early career, with particular attention to his 1891-1892 work at the Hopewell Mound Group. Free and Open to the Public. 

May 20—Overview of Fort Ancient, Ohio University Chillicothe, Bennett Hall, Room 110, 6 p.m.
Hosted by The Friends of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Ohio University Chillicothe
Bill Kennedy, Site Superintendent, presents an overview of Fort Ancient, highlighting its towering earthen embankments, more than 67 gateways, and the remarkable astronomical features built high above the Little Miami River. He also explores Morehead Circle, where evidence of a woodhenge points to ancient ceremonial traditions. Free and Open to the Public.

World Heritage Week – April 12- 18
In conjunction with HCE events around all earthwork sites, HOCU rangers will be doing the following programs:

  • Thursday, April 16 – 10am Tour of Seip Earthworks

  • Friday, April 17 – 10am Tour of Mound City Group

  • Saturday, April 18 – World Heritage Day- High Bank Works Discovery event
    10:00am – 1:00pm:  Join Park Rangers at High Bank Works for a rare opportunity to discover the lunar and solar alignments of this ancestral site. This site is only open to the public for special events.  Space will be limited to 40 visitors.

Daily Tours of Mound City
May 23 – daily 10am tours of Mound City begin, 1 hour in length, seven days a week

Park Events – Summer & Early Fall

  • June 8 – Ranger-led Tour of Hopewell Mound Group, 10:00am–12:00pm

  • June 22 – Hopewell Mound Group Highlights, 10:00am–1:00pm
    Self-guided walking with rangers stationed at key locations under tents.

  • July 6 – Ranger-led Tour of Seip Earthworks, 10:00am–12:00pm

  • July 20 – Seip Earthworks Highlights, 10:00am–1:00pm
    Self-guided walking with ranger stations throughout the site.

  • August 3 – Ranger-led Tour of Hopeton Earthworks, 10:00am–12:00pm

  • August 8–15 – Ross County Fair

  • August 9–September 7 (Labor Day) – Mound City tours shift to Saturdays & Sundays only at 10:00am

  • September 13 – Monarch Tagging (location TBD)
    Citizen science volunteer opportunity.

    Download flyer

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