Press Release
March 4, 2021
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 Friday, March 19, 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. Check or cash is accepted, but credit cards are not accepted. Oklahoma Historical Society and Spiro Mounds Development Association members pay no regular admission fees. No reservations are required except for large groups.
Due to the continuing precautions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors are required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. A maximum of 10 people will be allowed inside the center at any one time, although more can explore the trails. We ask everyone to be patient as staff may need to rotate visitors in and out of the center to maintain the limits set by the state.
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, $4 for children older than six and $18 for families. 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 Center 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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