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Field
Trips > SW Region >
Fort Ancient
About 2,000 years ago the people of the Hopewell Culture, carrying woven baskets of soil weighing 35 to 40 pounds each, constructed 18,000 feet of earthen walls at Fort Ancient, near present-day Lebanon. To recognize the enormity of this complex mound-building project, and the site's distinction as the best preserved Hopewell hilltop enclosure in the country, Fort Ancient was names as National Historic Landmark.
The three and one-half miles of earthworks contain approximately sixty-seven openings, dispelling earlier beliefs that the walls were used for defensive means. Archaeologists theorize that the walls, ranging from 4 to 23 feet in height, set off the area as a place for people who lived in the region to conduct ceremonies or exchange goods. Portions of these walls were used in conjunction with the sun and moon to provide a calendar system for these peoples.
The Museum at Fort Ancient offers students a detailed exploration of the 15,000 years of American Indian history in the Ohio Valley. The education classroom has a number of hands-on areas depicting daily life of American Indians as well as a timeline. A prehistoric garden adjacent to the building offers a look at the agricultural plants and methods of these "first Ohioans."
Facilities Information
Chaperones: one teacher and/or one parent per small group.
A picnic area with shelter house is available for eating lunch.
Pit toilet-style restrooms are located near the shelter.
During lunch, students (accompanied by chaperones) may visit scenic overlook and hiking trails.
The museum and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Any tour-related activity that might occur
outside is also accessible. Nature trails can be steep and have steps in some areas.
As students will be outdoors during part of their experience, we suggest that they dress appropriately
for the weather.
Programs include an introduction and hands-on and museum activities. Schools have a variety of learning possibilities, including guided or assisted tours of the museum and
grounds and scavenger hunts.
Museum Shop on site
There is an Ohio History Shop at Fort Ancient for the convenience of teachers and students who wish to
take home souvenirs of their visit. We do not offer pre-shopping this year. Your purchases help
finance our non-profit organization.
Hours of Operation
May - September, open daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
October & November and March & April, open Wednesday through Sunday,
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission
$3.00 per student; $3.00 per chaperon; $1 fee for programs and/or workshops; teachers & bus drivers are free
Location
Fort Ancient is seven miles southeast of Lebanon, in Warren County, on State Route 350. Exit I-71 at
Wilmington Road (exit 36) and take Middleboro Road south to State Route 350, turn right to the park.
Directions to Fort Ancient
( 29 k)
Bus Driver's Instructions
Payment is taken at the tollbooth.
Bus parking is in the lot by Museum and Education Center.
All tours begin at the Museum and Visitor Center Museum.
If you will be delayed in arriving at your appointed time, call 800-283-8904 or 513-932-4421.
Bus drivers admitted free into Fort Ancient. Buses should drop off in front of the museum.
FIELD TRIPS > SOUTHWEST REGION SITES:
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