Fall is a pretty good time to get outside and explore some of Ohio’s history, and Fort Ancient has a full lineup of programs planned for the coming months.
Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve in Oregonia will host four programs throughout the fall and winter, with opportunities to explore the landscape after dark, learn traditional wilderness skills, make a twined bag and experience the winter solstice sunrise from the earthworks.
The programs will be led by Ohio History Connection staff member and outdoor expert Keith Bengtson, who has decades of experience interpreting Ohio’s archaeological and cultural sites. Each one offers a different way to learn about the connections between people, nature and the landscape around Fort Ancient.
Fort Ancient is also one of the eight locations that make up the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, Ohio’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The earthworks were built by Native Americans between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago and are known for their enormous scale, geometric precision and astronomical alignments.
Here’s what’s coming up.
Night Hike
Oct. 17, 5-8 p.m.
Fort Ancient takes on a different character once the sun goes down.
During this evening hike, participants will explore the site while learning about local nocturnal wildlife and the history of Fort Ancient and its surrounding landscape.
The program costs $10 per person and is not recommended for children under 8.
Wilderness Skills
Nov. 7, noon-4 p.m.
This afternoon program looks at some of the practical skills that were once essential for living off the land.
Participants will see demonstrations of traditional techniques related to hunting, fishing, tanning, trapping and jerky making. It’s a hands-on look at the ways people worked with the natural world and the resources around them.
Wilderness Skills is included with general site admission. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for youth ages 6-17 and seniors 60-plus, and free for children 5 and under. Ohio History Connection members receive free admission.
Tying Up Loose Ends
Dec. 12, noon-4 p.m.
This workshop focuses on American Indian textile traditions, with an emphasis on materials and techniques connected to the Midwest.
Participants will learn about native Midwestern plants that were used for fiber, see how those materials were processed and make their own twined bag to take home. Materials will be provided, and reproduced items and reference materials will also be available for anyone interested in continuing to learn about the subject.
The program costs $20 per person and requires registration. Space is limited to 20 participants, and each person must register individually.
Winter Solstice Sunrise
Dec. 21, 7:30-10 a.m.
There’s an especially interesting way to start the first morning of winter at Fort Ancient.
Visitors can gather at the earthworks to watch the sun rise through the site’s earthen structures. The Hopewell culture incorporated solar and lunar alignments into its monumental earthworks, and the program will give visitors an opportunity to observe the winter solstice alignment at Fort Ancient.
The Winter Solstice Sunrise is free and open to the public.
Together, the programs offer several ways to experience Fort Ancient beyond simply walking through the site. Whether you’re interested in the natural landscape, traditional skills, Native American history, or the astronomical connections built into the earthworks, there’s something different to explore throughout the season.
For more info, head over to ohiohistory.org.
