October 15, 2023
The site was open dawn to dusk. There is no registration or reservations needed for tours.
During the Newark Earthworks Open House, visitors are invited to explore and experience fully all three segments of these ancient, expansive earthworks built masterfully by American Indians.
The Newark Earthworks served social, ceremonial and astronomical functions for their builders, people of the Hopewell Culture. The site is a National Historic Landmark and Ohio’s official prehistoric monument.
9 a.m. - Noon Remnants Walking Tour
Join one of our expert historians and storytellers, Jeff Gill, for a journey through the Newark earthworks! He will take you on a tour of the remnants of this once four-square mile complex of earthen walls and geometric enclosures that, in the words of Squier and Davis (1848), "can now be traced only at intervals, among gardens and outhouses." Enjoy an autumn walk and learn about the history of how the Newark Earthworks have been preserved for the last 2,000 years!
9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. A Stationary History of the Newark Earthworks
Maybe you don't feel up to a 3-hour walking tour-that's okay! A Newark Earthworks interpreter will pick up where Jeff Gill left off. Join us at the Great Circle Museum to learn about the many stories the Newark Earthworks have to tell and how they have been stewarded by locals of the area for thousands of years!
10:00 a.m. - 1-:45 a.m. Filling in the Details: Archaeology of Hopewell Earthworks and Sites in Ohio
Join us as we gather a panel of archaeologists to chat about how we know what we know about the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks and the people that created and gathered in these spaces 2,000 years ago, and what we hope to learn in the future.
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Newark Earthworks Tours: The Octagon and Great Circle
Join a tour at either one of our sites for an immersive experience of these earthwork complexes! Please note these tours are in different locations and that this is a special day of the year when the Octagon is fully accessible. The Great Circle is open and accessible year-round. You will have the chance to join another tour of the sites at 2 p.m.!
- Great Circle – 455 Hebron Rd., Heath, OH
- Octagon Earthworks–125 N. 33rd St., Newark, OH
1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Commemorating the Journey to World Heritage
The pathway to achieving World Heritage status for eight Hopewell Ceremonial Earthwork sites in Ohio has been years in the making! Join us for a chance to acknowledge the hard work and passion of many people that made this a possibility and what this means for the history and preservation of these sites in the future.
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Newark Earthworks Tours: The Octagon and the Great Circle
Join a tour at either one of our sites for an immersive experience of these earthwork complexes! Please note these tours are in different locations and that this is a special day of the year when the Octagon is fully accessible. The Great Circle is open and accessible year-round. Dr. Low is leading a tour at the Octagon State Memorial.
- Great Circle – 455 Hebron Rd., Heath, OH
- Octagon Earthworks–125 N. 33rd St., Newark, OH
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. What World Heritage Means and How You Can Play a Role
You might be wondering, "What's the big deal with World Heritage? Why should this matter for us Ohioans and local community members?" Join our panel of experts to learn how achieving World Heritage will be meaningful to us all and how you can be a part of preserving these sacred spaces.