The Archaeological Conservancy acquired the main portion of the famous Hopewell Mounds Group near Chillicothe, Ohio in the summer of 1980. A total of 120 acres of the site has been acquired, including the major mounds and earthworks.
Acquisition was made possible by a $50,000 grant from the George Gund Foundation of Cleveland. A matching grant from the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office has been approved, and the funds released from a presidential impoundment of the federal Historic Preservation Fund. The Conservancy will launch a major fund-raising drive shortly to raise the funds necessary to complete the acquisition.
Acquisition of the Hopewell Mounds was made possible by the cooperation of the owners-Richard P. Determined to see this irreplaceable part of American history preserved, the Johnson’s worked with the Conservancy to make permanent preservation a reality. In recognition of the Johnson family’s determination to see the Hopewell Mounds preserved, this portion of the site will be dedicated by the Conservancy to the late Richard P. Johnson, Sr.
The Hopewell Mounds Group was the central ceremonial center of the Hopewellian civilization which flourished in the eastern United States from about 300 B.C. to 500 A.D. The large burial mounds and earthworks are characteristic of the Hopewellian cultural tradition. Elaborate grave goods are normally associated with the mounds, including exotic materials such as obsidian from a deposit in Yellowstone National Park.
The Hopewell Mounds were one of the largest construction projects in North America prior to the 19th Century. Over 3 million cubic yards of earth were moved by hand to construct the mounds and embankments. The outside embankments at Hopewell are over three miles in length. Mound 25 is the largest burial mound in North America.
While the Hopewellian civilization has been intensively studied for 150 years, much more remains unknown than is known. In preserving these sites in situ, the Conservancy has ensured that the information that may someday unlock the mysteries of 2000 years ago will always be available. As new and better techniques develop more information will be recovered.
The Conservancy took title to this property with more to do on the project. It required an additional $125,000 in funding to complete the acquisition and stabilize the site.
UPDATE: This archaeological preserve is now part of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park near Chillicothe, Ohio which is owned and managed by the National Park Service.
