Press Release
March 4, 2019
Contact: Dennis Peterson
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 918-962-2062
spiro@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/sites/spiromounds
Celebrate the Spring Equinox at Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center
SPIRO, Okla. — Come celebrate the beginning of spring a little differently this year. On March 20 there will be a series of guided Vernal Equinox Walks at Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center where visitors can learn from an archaeologist about the spring equinox. There will be walks at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., led by archaeologist and manager Dennis Peterson.
Each walk will take about two hours and require a mile of easy walking. Peterson will tell about this unique, prehistoric American Indian mound site, the types of mounds, why they were created and why some of the mounds are lined up for the sunsets of the solstices and equinoxes. He will tell the history of the excavations, Native ceremonies and stories, tales of the unusual happenings associated with the mounds and answer questions.
There is a small fee for this series of tours of $5 for adults and $3 for children. This will be in addition to the regular entrance fee of $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children. Check or cash is accepted, but credit cards are not accepted. Oklahoma Historical Society and Spiro Mounds Development Association members pay no entrance fees. No reservations are required except for large groups.
On Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Spiro Mounds Archaeology Center will celebrate its 32nd annual Family Kite Flite Day. The event includes hundreds of people flying kites, kids digging in the sandbox and making bubbles and arts and crafts booths. There will be donated kites given away by drawing throughout the day. The Family Kite Flite Day is a free day for the entry to the site.
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is the only prehistoric American Indian site open to the public in Oklahoma. The center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and is closed for state holidays. Daily admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children older than six. The center is located three miles east of Spiro on Highway 9/271 and four miles north on Lock and Dam Road. For more information or to schedule a group or school tour during the equinox walks or another time, please call 918-962-2062 or email spiro@okhistory.org.
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Park is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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