Man Mound Commemoration Event
August 9, 2008
The Sauk County Historical Society’s centennial commemoration of the Man Mound in Greenfield Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin, was in all respects, a very successful event. The weather was perfect, and approximately 275 visitors showed up to help celebrate this historic event. Under a large 60’ by 40’ tent, participants enjoyed a display of historic photos, books, maps, and artifacts. Visitors from as far away as Pennsylvania were present, as were many local residents, including some who attended the one-room Man MoundSchool years ago and played as children along the mound. Also in attendance were Wisconsin Rep. Doc. Hines, Wisconsin Senator Luther Olson, Mark Steiz representing Congressman Ron Kind, Brett Watson representing Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, and Kim Cates representing Senator Herb Kohl.
Ho-Chunk Thundercloud Singers opened and closed the day's events
At 10 a.m., the crowd gathered before the stage for a 90-minute program of historic recollections, proclamations declaring August 9th Man Mound Day from the Ho-Chunk Nation, the Sauk County Board of Supervisors, and from Governor Doyle, reenactments, rededication of the memorial plaque, and a Native American honoring of Man Mound. Additionally, participants heard Congressional readings declaring the importance of Man Mound, both of which are now part of the House of Representatives and Senate Congressional Records. As a final gesture commemorating the Man Mound, visitors were asked to spread hands full of needle seed, native to Wisconsin, onto the raised earthen works built some 1000 years ago by Native Americans.
Lucas Van Orden and his sons unveil the plaque which his great grandfather helped erect in 1908.
Surveyor, Wm H. Canfield (a.k.a. Rob Nurre) told of the discovery of the mound
1908 plaque
Several of the 275 in attendance pulled chairs close to the podium for a close-up view of the ceremony.
Seeding needle grass to refresh the mound
