Native American Culture
American Indians have lived in Greene County for over 15,000 years. There have been two mound-building cultures, the Hopewell (200 B.C. to 500 A.D.) and the Fort Ancient (1000 A.D. to 1650 A.D.). The Miami tribe inhabited the area until they left in 1763 after the French and Indian War. The Shawnee then took possession after a dispute with the Wyandot and the Mingo. The Shawnee abandoned the area in 1805. The Wyandots followed in 1811.
Blue Jacket, Ohio's Epic Outdoor Drama
Blue Jacket combines theatre, history, and stunning athleticism. Set during the American Revolution, this epic play chronicles the lives of Ohio's Shawnee Indians, frontier settlers and escaping slaves as they struggle for peace and freedom. Thrill to roaring cannons and galloping horses as flaming arrows blaze through the night sky. Mid-June through August.
Held at Caesar's Ford Park Amphitheatre near Xenia.
(877) 465-BLUE
www.bluejacketdrama.com
Indian Mound Reserve
This spectacular natural and cultural reserve is managed by the Greene County Park District. The 166 acres encompass Massie's Creek Gorge, Cedar Cliff Falls as well as Williams Mound and Pollock Earthworks constructed by the Hopewell Indians between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D.
Located south of Cedarville on U.S. Route 42
(937) 562-7440
‘Keeping the Tradition' Pow Wow
An annual two-day multi-tribal celebration of Native American Culture – dancing, singing, drumming, arts, and crafts. Admission $5 -- Children age 12 and under free. For more information, contact the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans.
Held at Caesar's Ford Park Amphitheatre near Xenia.
(937) 275-8599
http://www.tmvcna.org/
Old Town
Between Xenia and Yellow Springs on Route 68 is Old Town, the traditional birthplace of Tecumseh and site of the "capital" of the Shawnee Nation at the time of Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton. With a population of 1,100, the town was a quarter mile from end to end. At the center would have stood a long, narrow council house near where the Tecumseh Motel now stands.
Fort Ancient State Memorial
On a bluff 240 feet above the Little Miami River, are 100 acres enclosed by more than 3.5 miles of earth-and-stone walls constructed by the Hopewell Indians between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D. Hiking and a first class museum combine to present a fascinating portrait of some of Ohio's earliest people.
Located near Lebanon
(800) 283-8904
http://www.ohiohistory.org/places/ftancien/
Serpent Mound State Memorial and Museum
One of the few effigy mounds in Ohio, Serpent Mound is the largest and finest serpent effigy in the United States. Nearly a quarter of a mile long, Serpent Mound apparently represents an uncoiling serpent. The site may be connected to the Fort Ancient Culture.
Located near Peebles
(937) 587-2796 or (800) 752-2757
http://www.ohiohistory.org/places/serpent/
Sun Watch Indian Village and Museum
Journey back in time 800 years, when Fort Ancient Indians settled along the banks of the Great Miami River. This active archaeological site offers an excellent museum and several reconstructed buildings including Indian family homes, the community "Big House", and a women's lodge.
2301 West River Road
Dayton
(937) 268-8199
http://www.sunwatch.org/ |
