The Sauk County Historical Society’s centennial commemoration of the Man Mound in GreenfieldTownship, 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 ManMoundSchool 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.
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.
Ho-Chunk Thundercloud Singers opened and closed the day's events
Lucas Van Orden and his sons, unveil the plaque which his great grandfather helped erect in 1908
This palque was erected in 1908
Surveyor, Wm H. Canfield (a.k.a. Rob Nurre) told of his discovery of the mound
Several of the 275 in attendance pulled chairs close to the podium for a close-up view of the ceremony.
Steve Koenig, mosquito wrangler
This mode of transportation would have been common in 1908
A real dedicated enthusiast
Fun for All
Seeding needle grass to refresh the mound
Invited Dignitaries and Special Guests
Paul Wolter, MC & SCHS President
Thomas Pleger, UW Baraboo Campus Dean & Assoc. Prof. of Anthropology/Archeology
Marianne Potter, President, General Federation of Women's Clubs, Wisconsin
Dan Brown, Vice President Ho-Chunk Nation
Joe Tiffany, President Wis. Archeological Survey
Marty Krueger, Chairman Sauk Co. Board of Supervisors
John Broihahn, State Archaeologist
Daunene Jelinek, Grew up near Man Mound
Curt Meine, Senior Fellow at the Aldo Leopold Foundation
J.A. "Doc" Hines, Wis. State Rep. 42nd Assembly Dist.
Luther Olsen, Wis. State Senator 14th Senate Dist.
Mark Seitz, staff for Congressman Ron Kind 3rd U.S. Cong. Dist. for Wis.
Brett Watson, staff for Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, 2nd U.S. Cong. Dist. of Wis.
A fund to further research, stewardship and preservation of the Man Mound has been established by the Sauk County Historical Society. Donations are tax deductible and will be used specifically for Man Mound projects. Please contact the SCHS at 608-356-1001 to donate.
