Angel Mounds honored for successful restoration
Release Date: 8/19/2004###
After five years of hard work and determination, Angel Mounds State Historic Site, Indianas only archeological National Historic Landmark, is being recognized today by the National Park Service for major improvements to the area.
At a ceremony marking the achievement, Indiana First Lady Maggie Kernan, state Rep. Dennis Avery and DNR Director John Goss received a certificate of appreciation from the National Park Service. Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel served as host of the event.
"The achievements at Angel Mounds are a terrific example of what we can do with determination and hard work," said Mrs. Kernan. "Through the dedicated work of staff at the site, as well as other community members, this archeological treasure has been restored at very little cost. I applaud their commitment to both this city and to our state."
In October of 1999, Angel Mounds was listed by the park service as a threatened property. The new status was due to increasing erosion of Mound G and Mound A, one of the sites largest mounds. The erosion problems were caused by surface runoff and ground disturbance from tree falls. Other problems included unkempt grounds, inappropriate signs, and erosion along the Ohio River edge of the property.
The state made some investments in the facility and DNR employees worked very hard for five years to improve the site. Angel Mounds is one of the very few archaeological sites in the United States ever improved enough to be taken off the National Park Services threatened list.
"The outcome of the DNRs efforts is a restoration that is testimony to the dedication and talent of all who contributed to its design and execution," said Dale Phillips, superintendent, George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, representing the National Park Service. "The site is now considered to be in satisfactory condition."
Every two years, the National Park Service surveys the condition of all National Historic Landmarks, listing them as being in either "satisfactory," "watch" or "threatened" condition. A threatened condition indicates an active loss of the integrity of the property resulting from any number of reasons such as damaging uses, severe deterioration or encroaching development.
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Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
