Ohio has a surprisingly deep relationship with Native American history. From the Hopewell peoples of 2,000 years ago to Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee 200 years ago and everything in between, Ohio plays quite an important historic role. Thankfully, there are several parks and events around the state to promote education and awareness of this history. Two main players include the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and the outdoor drama “Tecumseh,” both located near Chillicothe.

The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is part of the National Park Service. Frankly this is a beautiful thing as it is then provided federal protections! Here are a few things to know for your visit.

Who Were the Hopewell?

The Hopewell peoples were Native Americans who spanned much of the eastern US from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico about 2,200 to 1,500 years ago. (Fun fact: this is about the same time the Parthenon was built in Greece, and the Mayan temples were built in Mexico.) Ohio had a particularly high population of them. In the 1700s and 1800s, settlers discovered hundreds of mounds and unusual earthworks. The resident Shawnee peoples and other tribes didn’t know who made these mounds.

Sadly, we don’t know what these people actually called themselves. The name “Hopewell” comes from Captain Mordecai Hopewell, who owned the farmland where a number of these earthworks were excavated in 1891.

Mound City

In 1846, historians Ephraim Squier and Edwin Davis named one site Mound City as there were at least 23 mounds encircled by an earthen wall. These mounds had once been covered by Camp Sherman, an army training facility in WWI. Some of the mounds were destroyed as a result of this, though a couple of the larger ones were asked to be respected and preserved.

In the 1920s, the Ohio History Connection began reconstruction of the mounds to help preserve it after the damage of Camp Sherman. Reconstruction efforts were based on survey maps from Squier and Davis. President Warren G. Harding dubbed the site Mound City Group National Monument in 1923.

The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

In 1992, four more earthworks sites near Chillicothe were added to the Mound City Group. The name was then changed to what we know today – the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

It is here that the National Park Service Visitor Center sits. Stop by the visitor center to see a map of the area and artifacts excavated from the nearby mounds. This also helps you get your bearings so you better appreciate the mounds for what they are.

As you exit the visitor center, you can follow the sidewalk to stroll amongst the mounds. There’s no sidewalk or distinct path within the mound complex, but there are a few scattered signs to explain artifacts found there or the purpose of that particular mound.

It is important to note that these mounds were largely built as burial grounds or to conduct other ceremonies. For funerals, bodies were cremated, and a layer of clay was spread over the ashes. Beautiful pots, jewelry, and effigy pipes have also been found in the mounds. The cremated remains of about 100 people have been found at Mound City. As such, this place is still considered sacred. Please don’t walk on the mounds, not only to help preserve the site, but also to show respect to those who have been buried here.

Other Tips to Know

As this park is part of the National Park Service, be sure to bring your National Parks Passport for a stamp. Or buy a passport if you haven’t yet. (Who doesn’t love collecting national parks?)

There are a number of restaurants in Chillicothe, or you can pack a picnic lunch and eat at the Visitor Center. There are picnic tables both by the parking lot and on the far end of the center, as well as a lawn between the center and route 104.

Regarding ADA accessibility, a paved walk takes you right up to the edge of Mound City. The majority of the grounds can be seen from this point. Though there are no paved walkways within Mound City, the ground is largely flat and even with the grass cut low. This may prove more difficult for a wheelchair, but should be reasonably accessible for those in scooters, motorized wheelchairs, and for those with canes or crutches.

If you’re visiting in summer, consider bringing sunscreen and bug spray. You will be in direct sunlight, and the grassy area near the Scioto River is a bit buggy.

The tallest mound, along with one of the signs describing what lies underneath.

Tecumseh!

I have heard about the outdoor drama “Tecumseh!” ever since elementary school… but somehow I had never gotten around to seeing it. Seeing as 2022 is its 50^th anniversary, I figured it was about time I make the effort.

What is It?

The Shawnee Indians lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana in the 1700s. Tecumseh, son of a Shawnee chief, was born in roughly 1768. Sources vary, though, as to where exactly he was born with some saying present-day Xenia and others reporting near Chillicothe. Chief Tecumseh became a legend amongst the white settlers as he was a skilled warrior and was opposed to the settlers moving into Shawnee lands.

The outdoor drama “Tecumseh!” is a two-and-a-half hour show depicting his life and death and his importance in Shawnee history. Seven-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and Emmy recipient Allan W. Eckert wrote the script. The London Symphony Orchestra performed the musical score. And Oscar-nominated Native American actor Graham Greene, who you may recognize from Dances With Wolves, recorded the narration.

Please note that there are war scenes in the drama, which include loud gunshots and stage blood. If you’re sensitive to loud noises, come prepared with earplugs or hearing protection that can be quickly used and removed. This show may also be better for kids ages 10 and up, not only for the war scenes, but to better understand the story.

Planning Your Trip

“Tecumseh!” takes place at Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater just outside of Chillicothe. This place is quite impressive! There are about 1,500 seats packed close enough together that everyone can hear and see the performance well, but also provides ample legroom. I sat in seat JJ201, which I was happy with. Seats closer to the stage will have a good view of the actors’ facial expressions. A seat towards the back of the amphitheater may not have the facial detail, but it will give you a better bird’s eye view of all the action. Really, all the seats are pretty good.

I had planned to eat dinner at the on-site restaurant. Turns out, however, the restaurant is basically concession food with seating. A pulled pork sandwich, nachos (think movie theater), and a blackberry colada (blackberry moonshine + pina colada) cost $20. It was good, and I certainly appreciate the ability to buy sandwiches here. But knowing what I do now, I would have eaten in downtown Chillicothe before arriving for the show.

A VIP package is available to get more of a behind-the-scenes experience. I didn’t do it this time, but I would be interested in doing it if I went again!

I had wanted to eat at the restaurant before the show and didn’t know how long that might take, so I arrived way earlier than was necessary around 4:30pm. But the restaurant didn’t open till after 5pm and seating didn’t open till 6:30pm. I recommend showing up at 6:30 or 7pm. You’ll have ample time to get your tickets, a drink or snack, and grab your seat before the show starts at 8pm.

The set and ampitheater of “Techumseh!” I’m standing behind all the seats and still have a good view.

More To Do Around Chillicothe

You can easily fit the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and “Tecumseh!” in one day with room to spare. I spent about two hours at the historical park, even with taking my time around the grounds.

If you’re looking to fill some more time in the day, I can recommend a few places:

Fifty West Brewing in downtown Chillicothe has some good local craft beers and food. I haven’t tried the food, but I have visited a couple times for the beer.

Actually, downtown Chillicothe is a good place to visit overall. It’s easily walkable and has a number of bars, restaurants, and shopping.

If you’re more into hiking, check out The Earl H. Barnhart Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve. There are several trails, the longest being 2.25 miles.

More Hopewell Culture and Native American History in Ohio

Another world-famous site in Ohio is The Great Serpent Mound located near Peebles, Ohio (about an hour SW of Chillicothe).

Can’t get enough earthworks? There are more Hopewell historic mounds located near Newark, Ohio at the Newark Earthworks. This site is about an hour and a half NE of Chillicothe. This website includes a few more locations for earthworks.

There are a number of Pow Wows across Ohio, and even across the country, for that matter. Check out this site  to find a calendar of Pow Wows that may interest you. From what I can see, most or all of these events are open to the public, but the website will specify for each event.

Though itself not a historic site, the Ohio History Connection in Columbus is a museum of Ohio’s history from the ice ages to now. Though there has always been an exhibit on the indigenous peoples of Ohio, there’s a new exhibit as of Spring 2022 that is dedicated to the Hopewell people. This group is also striving to get eight Hopewell earthworks sites including the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park on the UNESCO World Heritage List! How cool would that be?!

Have you visited any of these sites, or do you have any others in Ohio to recommend? Let me know in the comments!

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