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Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center 45th Anniversary and Reopening
May 13, 2023, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
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The public is invited to Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center on Saturday, May 13, from 1 to 4 p.m., for a 45th anniversary and reopening celebration of the site.
Spiro Mounds opened to the public 45 years ago, on May 9, 1978. The site opened with the help of the Oklahoma Archeological Survey, which remains a strong partner. It is the first and still the only Oklahoma prehistoric American Indian archaeological site open to the public.
The celebration will start at 1 p.m. with refreshments, including cake, and the opportunity to purchase a new book from Arcadia Publishing, Spiro Mounds and WPA Archaeology in Oklahoma. One of the authors, Dr. Scott Hammerstedt, with the Oklahoma Archeological Survey will be in attendance to autograph the books.
The anniversary celebration is also the perfect time to meet Anna Vincent, the new site director. Vincent is only the second director at Spiro Mounds since its opening. Dennis Peterson, the first director, retired in the fall of 2022.
Vincent grew up a few miles from Spiro Mounds and graduated from Spiro High School. She graduated from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) with the goal of finding a job related to Oklahoma history. While at UAFS, Vincent previously worked for the Arkansas Archeological Survey. She spent time in the lab on campus and assisting with excavations at the Drennen-Scott House in Van Buren, Arkansas.
The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. The regular hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. On May 13, the Center will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. without a midday break. For more information, please call 918-962-2062 or visit www.okhistory.org/spiro. The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is located at 18154 1st St. in Spiro.
