Aug. 28, 2019
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex begins the fall season with a variety of activities and events. These include the biannual Fossil Day, the Second Saturday film, continuation of the 2019 Lecture and Film Series and friendship bracelets at the Discovery Table. All activities are free and open to the public.
Schedule of September Programs:
Saturday, Sept. 14, 1 and 3 p.m. – Second Saturday Film, “Cahokia Mounds: Ancient Metropolis.” In its heyday around 1000 to 1150 AD, Cahokia, the largest prehistoric Native American city north of Mexico, was larger than London, Paris, or most European cities – archaeologists estimate that between 6,000 and 40,000 people lived there. Its people constructed mounds and buildings, including the largest earth mound in North America and an immense wooden solar calendar like England’s Stonehenge. This 60-minute film was produced by Camera One.
Saturday, Sept. 21, noon to 4 p.m. – Fossil Day. Visitors to this biannual event are invited to bring fossils for expert identification by Dr. Ronald Mc Dowell, senior research geologist and head of the Geoscience Section of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey (WVGES) in Morgantown. There also will be a variety of family-oriented activities, including a museum hunt in the exhibit “Prehistoric West Virginia: West Virginia Fossils,” excavating a “fossil bed” created during the Spring Fossil Day and making models of fossil creatures.
Thursday, September 26, 7 p.m. – Lecture and Film Series, “Marietta Through the Eyes of David McCollough: Some Thoughts on The Pioneers.” This program will be presented by William Reynolds, historian and exhibit specialist, Campus Martius Museum, Marietta, Ohio, who worked with historian and author David McCollough during a year and a half of research for his new book The Pioneers. During this time, McCullough discovered many interesting aspects about the people and events that began the settlement of the Northwest Territories and Reynolds will discuss some of the more fascinating discoveries.
Discovery Table – Throughout the month of September, museum visitors can create a friendship bracelet where they can also learn about cordage and weaving which were very important in the lives of prehistoric Native Americans.
September Artist of the Month – photographs by Jason Henry of Moundsville.
In addition, visitors can view an exhibit featuring Marx Toys collected by Francis Turner, owner of the former Marx Toy Museum. Many of the Marx Toys were made in Glen Dale, W.Va.
Operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex features one of the largest conical burial mounds built by the Adena people between 250 - 150 B.C. and ranks as one of the largest earthen mortuary mounds anywhere in the world. Exhibits and displays in the Delf Norona Museum interpret what is known about the lives of these prehistoric people and the construction of the mound. The complex also houses the West Virginia Archaeological Research and Collections Management Facility.
Admission to Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex is free. The Delf Norona Museum, located at 801 Jefferson Avenue, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Outdoor access closes at 4:30 p.m.
For more information about activities and programs at Grave Creek Mound, contact Andrea Keller, cultural program coordinator, at (304) 843-4128 or andrea.k.keller@wv.gov or visit www.facebook.com/gravecreekmound and www.twitter.com/gravecreekmound.
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