Ross County holds official celebration for UNESCO designation

CHILLICOTHE — After years of hard work the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks were officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List last month. In honor of this grand accomplishment a celebration was held on Oct. 14 at the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

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Hundreds of people, including local residents, public officials and guests, joined the celebration. Before speeches were given National Park Service rangers offered programming to visitors. The mounds in Chillicothe are part of the eight sites in Ohio that were made more than 2,000 years ago by the Hopewell Culture and were used as a place of worship and gathering.

"It's a very powerful place and a wonderful place," said Ranger Sue Rasche.

Chief Glenna Wallace from the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma was the keynote speaker for the event. She spoke on the "magnificent" earthworks and what it means to have them preserved for years to come, but she also touched on what this means to her and other Native Americans. Growing up Wallace said she had always heard her ancestors described as savages, but it wasn't until coming to Hopewell that she heard them be called geniuses for all of their amazing work.

To this day when she is in the area Wallace said she can go to the Scioto River and feel the presence of her ancestors floating along and coming to the site.

"You are indeed in the place of spectacular creations," said Wallace.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said it was a happy day for Ohio as the "tremendous work" of many people pays off. Looking at the sites he said he is inspired by the hard work and dedication of its builders, who he agreed with Wallace were geniuses.

The sites, he hopes, will also be good for tourism and allow local communities to be showcased as people from all over the world come to Ohio. He also said he hopes the designation reminds residents of the parks and gets them visiting and learning more as well.

"It is a great day for Ohio," said DeWine. "It's a great day for our country."

Superintendent of the park Chris Alford said his heart was filled with joy during the celebration. With the recent designation and the park celebrating its 100th anniversary, he said 2023 has been a great year for the park that he will never forget.

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Local leaders were also on-site to celebrate the designation. Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney said the day was both "exciting and emotional." He was touched hearing Chief Wallace speak on the land and what this designation meant. Commissioner Dwight Garrett said the earthworks themselves were "phenomenal" and that this designation would help showcase the community to the world.

"What a great day for Ross County," said Garrett.

While the designation was a great accomplishment that has been the goal of many for years many, speakers said this was only the beginning for the site. Wallace said she hopes to see people learning about the site and the Hopewell culture while being respectful of the mounds. Others hope this site will be a learning place for many as people gather and learn more about the rich history of Ohio.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks celebrates UNESCO designation