Ohio’s 76th state park is just weeks away from welcoming visitors. Great Council State Park, just north of Xenia, was once known as Oldtown, one of the largest-known Shawnee settlements in the region. More than 400 families and more than 1,000 people called Oldtown home from approximately 1777 to 1780. Their stories directly intersect with those of individuals like Daniel Boone, who was held captive in Oldtown for a period.
The Oklahoma Department of Natural Resources and Ohio History Connection have been working with the three federally recognized Shawnee Tribes to develop the property, which ODNR intends to be a connection to Ohio’s Native American and pioneer past.
“Bringing history to life is a challenge enthusiastically accepted by ODNR staff,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “Once complete, this center will offer a unique glimpse into the past, a different way for children and adults alike to learn more about the people who used to call this part of Ohio home.”
The park will feature a 12,000-square-foot interpretive center with an architectural design based on the traditional council house form historically used by Shawnees. Inside the interpretive center, visitors will find three floors of exhibits, a theater area, a living stream, and a gallery.
“This project gives us the unique opportunity to connect future generations with the past, while protecting the legacy of the Shawnee and inviting them to share their story,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for June.
Watch progress at the site to date documented through a timelapse video.
The Shawnee Tribe is set to be featured in the upcoming release of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, a popular video game series that enables players to build and lead their own civilizations in their attempt to stand the test of time. Developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K, the Civilization franchise is well-regarded not only for its entertainment value […]
We’ve moved things around a bit on the Shawnee Tribal Courts webpage now that Shawnee Tribe District Court case information is available in the On Demand Court Records database at ODCR.com. To search the open records, click the ‘Search Case Records’ button on the Courts page. In the search query at ODCR, select ‘Shawnee Tribe District Court’ from the list of options […]
Welcome to ta’saawanwaatoweeyakwe, the new blog series dedicated to the Shawnee Language Immersion Program’s happenings and language preservation work. Now that we are most of the way through the first year of our Master-Apprentice program, we wanted to share some of our work. Each week we focus on a new concept, and we had a lot […]
Messages from the Chiefs: Summer 2024 — Chief Barnes discusses highlights from tribal programs, including Higher Education Awards and the Indian Child Welfare Office. Chief Baldridge emphasizes the importance of diplomacy and inter-governmental work.
Contributors: Coral Avery, Princella RedCorn One of the most important crops grown in Shawnee villages before removal westward was lokhaana taami (flour corn). This corn variety, rich in vitamins and minerals, was used to make flour, which was instrumental in providing food for saawanooki (Shawnee people) through the winter months. It was also significant in […]
In the spirit of transparency and offering comprehensive election information to tribal citizens, the Shawnee Tribe Communications Department initiated the annual Meet the Candidates series in 2021. Candidates for Secretary: Jana Edwards-Johnson and Carolyn Foster (Incumbent). Candidates for Business Council Seat 3: Morris Bluejacket, Drew Dixon, Gregory Jones, and Elena Staubus. Unopposed Candidates: Roy Baldridge, incumbent candidate […]
The Shawnee Tribe has partnered with the School of Dance at the University of Oklahoma to present the 2024 Five Moons Dance Festival, August 24-25. Free, roundtrip charter bus transportation to the festival is available from Miami, OK, and Tulsa, OK, on a first-come, first-served basis. Special-rate hotel rooms in Norman are also available. Those who commit to an […]
Construction work on the Golden Mesa Casino expansion is progressing and currently on track for completion in the summer of 2025. “Weather is always a challenge in the panhandle, but our construction team continues to push forward to meet the projected completion date,” said Shawnee Development President Chris Floyd. “The site has recovered quickly from […]