Effigy Mounds National Monument - on the bluffs above the Mississippi River north of Marquette, Iowa - is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. A schedule of events for the year is here:
www.nps.gov/efmo/planyourvisit/upload/7_EFMO%202009%20Calendar%20of%20Events_doc.pdfSome events include:
April 4- 6: Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the National Park idea in Iowa
Special Extended Winter Film Festival Finale Weekend
National park theme film, special talk and ranger led hike (to be announced) and museum
exhibit to celebrate the push for a national park in Iowa. Exhibits will feature rare documents of maps
from the museum collections highlighting Iowa’s leading national park proponents such as Ellison Orr,
and Iowa’s first national park proposal – “Mississippi Valley National Park.”
Friday & Saturday American Indian Heritage Celebration
July 10 and 11 Weekend long activities will include Friday evening and Saturday live Indian dance and music performances. Saturday will also feature Indian cultural exhibits, crafts, art demonstrators, traditional American Indian food stand, and storytelling.
IN THE SUMMER:
****JUNE 20 - SEPT. 7****
Ranger Programs Daily at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m:
Hikes, Walks and Talks that discuss the history of the mounds and nature.
Junior Ranger, Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - A special Junior Ranger hike Saturdays or activity will be held which can then be followed by a Junior Ranger activity guidebook, signing out a Discovery Pack, or attending programs.
Ranger Choice Impromptu programs when staffing allows - (sometimes Programs available upon request):
- Ancient Indian Tools. Learn about various tools and implements used by ancient American Indians. Hands on activities include objects such as stone points, spear launchers (atlatl) and fire starters.
- Atlatl Demonstrations. Learn how this ancient spear launcher was utilized by American Indians to hunt wild game.
- Three-Mound Talk. A condensed version of the Fire Point Hike for those not able to join the full tour.
- Prairie Walks. Visit the restored tall grass prairie along the Fire Point Trail. This two-mile round trip hike will take approximately two hours.
- Indian Village / Boardwalk Trail. Tour our reconstructed Indian village area; enjoy a one-mile round trip walk into the wetlands below the visitor center.
June - July Teachers’ Workshops. June 13th and 27th, July 10th /11th, August 1st
Workshops are geared for teacher education about Native American moundbuilding cultures and related topics. By
reservation only; check for information in March 2009.
OTHER EVENTS:
August 22. Kids Archeology Day. Annual activity in celebration of the birthday of the National Park Service (August 25, 1916). Kids will learn about archeology through fun hands-on activities such as pottery, American Indian tools, and mock archeology digs.
November - Native American History Month. Every month is Native American History Month at Effigy Mounds National Monument! Visit the park to learn about ancient American Indians and their legacy.
PLUS MUCH MORE - CHECK THE LINK!!!!