Support World Heritage Ohio & Ancient Ohio Today

Nearly two thousand years ago, American Indians created an awe-inspiring culture rooted in the land we now call Ohio. They built vast earthworks as gathering places that aligned to the sun and moon. People came from near and far, traveling across land and sea to join together. Here, earth, water, sky and people met in sacred connection.

Today, we seek to honor these Ancient Ones and the places they built by inscribing eight Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Inscription on the World Heritage List would underscore the cultural significance of these sites and call international attention to these treasures long known to Ohioans. This effort will create Ohio's first World Heritage site.

The Need for Support

Currently, Ohio History Connection is working with the National Park Service, the Ohio State University Newark Earthworks Center and the University of Cincinnati’s Center for the Electronic Reconstruction of Historical and Archaeological Sites to inscribe the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The nomination dossier was completed and is currently under review.

Funding is needed to complete the nomination process. When you give to the World Heritage Nomination Fund, what are you giving to?

  • The World Heritage Ohio team consulting with other World Heritage sites and experts
  • Staff time
  • World Heritage plaques at each site
  • Travel to the World Heritage Conference in the summer of 2023
  • Ongoing tourism, marketing, and support
  • And much, much more!

The experience of other successful applicants for inscription indicates that preparation of the nomination requires at least one full-time staff person and, in addition to the contributions of the working group, the services of various consultants, researchers, photographers, graphic designers, and editors.

An estimated investment of between $2.5 million and $4 million will be necessary for this project.

Get Involved

If you would like to support this wonderful opportunity to put Ohio’s ancient earthworks on the worldwide map of historically and culturally significant sites, contact Ann Ruege at 614.297.2342 or send us a message on our Contact Us page by selecting "Donations."

To learn more about the Ancient Ohio Earthworks, go to:

 

To learn more about UNESCO and the World Heritage List, go to: whc.unesco.org.

Join us in stewarding this rich American Indian heritage by becoming a Friend of World Heritage Ohio. Friends can help in many ways, including:

  • Visiting and learning about these sites in person.
  • Staying updated on the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks World Heritage nomination and other American Indian news through our e-newsletter.
  • Sharing the story of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks in your community.
  • Contributing funds to the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks nomination.

Please visit worldheritageohio.org and facebook.com/WorldHeritageOhio for more information.

Ancient Ohio Today

Ancient Ohio Today is our premier monthly newsletter sharing our state’s oldest stories. Thank you for helping to keep Ohio’s deep past alive in the present and future!

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