Winter Solstice celebration planned for Spiro Mounds

Winter solstice celebration planned for Dec. 20 at the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center with a series of guided tours in celebration of the winter solstice.

The tours will be led by Anna Vincent, current director of Spiro Mounds. Two tours will be offered, one at 11 a.m. and another at 4 p.m. The afternoon walk will conclude with a viewing of the sunset on the upper terrace, followed by a bonfire and hot chocolate at the visitor center. In the event of inclement weather, talks will be given inside the visitor center.

Participants will learn about this unique prehistoric mound site, including the different types of mounds, their purposes, the significance of the solstices and the solar alignments that occur at Spiro. Vincent will share the history of excavations at the site, discuss Native ceremonies and stories, recount unusual events associated with the mounds and answer questions from visitors.

Admission to the site, including the solstice tours, is currently free. Reservations are required only for large groups.

Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is the only prehistoric Native American site open

to the public in Oklahoma and is administered by the Oklahoma Historical Society. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the site is currently free while updates are made to the visitor center and grounds. The center is located three miles east of Spiro on Highway 9/271 and four miles north on Lock and Dam Road. For more information or to schedule a group or school tour, please contact Anna Vincent at 918-962-2062 or spiro@history.ok.gov.

The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.