Ohio History Connection will oversee management of site, work alongside Federally-Recognized American Indian Tribes
COLUMBUS, OH–After 10 years of partnership with Ohio History Connection on the preservation and care of Serpent Mound, the Arc of Appalachia is ending their tenure as manager of the site.
The Arc of Appalachia is announcing its desire to give increased attention to its primary mission of acquiring and protecting wildlands in Ohio. The Arc of Appalachia will continue to serve as the site management partner for Fort Hill, an Ohio History Connection site which includes a 1300 acre forest reserve. Both organizations are working together closely to mutually support this transition.
“We are grateful and appreciative for the Arc of Appalachia’s years of partnership in preserving and sharing Serpent Mound,” says Megan Wood, Ohio History Connection Director of Cultural Resources. “We wish them the best in their continued care of Ohio’s natural places and look forward to our continued partnership at Fort Hill.”
“Ohio’s citizens are becoming increasingly aware of the international significance of the large number of American Indian earthworks that lie within its borders.” says Nancy Stranahan, Director of the Arc of Appalachia. “It is appropriate at this time to transfer the stewardship back into the hands of Ohio History Connection so that they can expertly and directly help the site meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
Ohio History Connection will manage the operations of Serpent Mound beginning March 2021. Because of the site’s significance as a sacred American Indian site, the state history organization will also work with Federally Recognized American Indian Tribes with ancestral ties to Ohio to interpret and educate the public about the site.
Serpent Mound is a historic site on UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage. In the last several years, Ohio History Connection has moved World Heritage-eligible historic sites under their direct management. Both the Newark Earthworks in Newark, Ohio and Fort Ancient in Oregonia, Ohio, part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks nomination for World Heritage, are now under Ohio History Connection management.
For more information about Serpent Mound, visit ohiohistory.org/serpentmound.
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Serpent Mound
Serpent Mound is part of the Ohio History Connection’s statewide system of more than 50 historic, natural and archaeological sites. Serpent Mound is an internationally known National Historic Landmark built by the ancient American Indians of Ohio. It is an effigy mound in the form of a snake with a curved tail. The site is on the U.S. Tentative List for possible World Heritage inscription by UNESCO, a designation reserved for only the most authentic and historically significant sites. Serpent Mound has become an icon of Indigenous cultural achievements, primarily because of its enormous scale and its remarkable resemblance to a serpent. It’s located at 3850 State Route 73 in Peebles, OH 45660.
Ohio History Connection
The Ohio History Connection, formerly the Ohio Historical Society, is a statewide history organization with the mission to spark discovery of Ohio’s stories. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization chartered in 1885, the Ohio History Connection carries out history services for Ohio and its citizens focused on preserving and sharing the state’s history. This includes housing the state historic preservation office, the official state archives, local history office and managing more than 50 sites and museums across Ohio. For more information on programs and events, visit ohiohistory.org.
