New Ohio state park will serve as an interactive homage to our state’s Shawnee heritage

The state of Ohio broke ground on its 76th state park in late June, and with its newest venture it’s looking to provide just as much important cultural knowledge as it is outdoor fun.

That’s because Great Council Park, which will be located north of Xenia, roughly an hour outside of Columbus, will function as both a museum and an outdoor recreation hotspot.

Set to open in late 2023, the park will pay homage to its historical past—it is housed on what was formerly the largest Shawnee settlement in Ohio—with a unique and interactive history center.

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The three story, 12,000 square foot building will be designed like a traditional Shawnee council house, and plans to offer exhibits, information and more about American Indian and pioneering life in Ohio.

“This new center will be an educational tool that can take visitors into the past and inspire an appreciation for another time,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said in a press release.  “We hope to see families, school groups, scouts, and all people use this space to learn more about the tribes who used to call this part of Ohio home.”

Want to read more? Check out our print publication, (614) Magazine. Learn where you can find a free copy of our new July issue here!