Champaign
County Historical
Society and
Museum
809
East Lawn Avenue
Urbana,
Ohio 43078
937-653-6721
champhistmus@ctcn.net
June 2, 2014
HIGHLIGHTS
OF JUNE 7
MARKER
DEDICATION
"URBANA, OHIO……… An
impressive assembly of presenters from an Eagle Scout to the Grand Chief of the
Wyandot of Anderdon Nation will take part in the June 7, dedication of a
historic marker at Urbana’s first burial ground at Ward and Kenton Streets and the
nearby site of the War Council of 1812.
Historians, representatives of Seneca,
Shawnee, Wyandot and Mingo Native American tribes; members of Ohio and
Champaign County Historical Societies, descendants of frontiersman Simon Kenton
and Urbana City administration will make up the platform party, escorted by an
Ohio Militia honor guard.
Historic re-enactors in period dress,
the solemn drama of Native Americans in full authentic regalia, performing traditional
tribal drumming ceremonies, and John Linigle’s Company of Ohio Militia, armed
and uniformed as its 1812 counterpart, will add to the significance of the
occasion.
At
1 p.m., Joe Rizzutti, Champaign County Historical Society (CCHS) trustee and
chair of the historic marker event, will open the program with Eagle Scout
Daniel Evilsizor, Troop24/Crew 258 Tecumseh Council, Boy Scouts of America, leading
the Pledge of Allegiance.
An invocation by Rev. Tim West,
Chaplain of the Urbana Fire Department, and a welcome by CCHS president Janice
Coates will be followed by a proclamation from Urbana Mayor Bill Bean, read by
Audra Bean.
Barbara Lehmann of Urbana, Head Elder
and Historian for Piqua Shawnee Tribe, serving as proxy for Principal Chief
Gary Hunt, will introduce Native Americans Ted Roll, Grand Chief of the Wyandot
of Anderdon Nation; Anita Pennington, Piqua Tribal Mother; Kevin Everhart,
Piqua Shawnee War Chief and the Piqua Shawnee Tribal Drummers: Chuck Franz,
Head Drummer, Trent Everhart, Firekeeper and Josh Runyon, Drummer. Vocalist Jan
Frand will accompany the drummers.
Before the program continues, Roll,
Pennington and Everhart will invoke the blessing of the burial grounds, very
sacred in Native American culture. This
will be followed by an interlude of traditional tribal drumming, conveying
honor to the warriors, during which the drum rests on a buffalo hide, not
touching consecrated ground.
Barbara Lehmann will introduce
descendants of Simon Kenton, whose 8-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, is one of
those still interred in the Old Grave Yard.
Speaking for the Kenton Kin Association will be Barbara White, President
and fourth great-granddaughter of Kenton, and Jay Noble, Vice President, fifth
great-grandson of the intrepid frontiersman.
Descendants of other pioneers buried
in the Old Grave Yard will also be in attendance.
The honor of the marker unveiling was
awarded to the event committee, Joe Rizzutti, Mark Gaver and Dan Walter, for
whom this occasion is the culmination of personal hopes and years of research.
Assisting will be event sponsor Wayne Smith, Walter & Smith Funeral Home,
and Laura Herron, Marker Specialist, AmeriCorps Member, which administers the historic
marker program.
Walter will present the history of
the Old Graveyard, as displayed on the marker. Mark Gaver will give the account
of the War Council of 1812, as it appears on the second side of the marker.
Final remarks by Richard Virts,
curator of the CCHS Museum will be followed by Retirement of the Colors and
Musketry Salute by John Linigle’s Company of Ohio Militia, 1812.
At
the conclusion of the formal program, the Champaign County Historical Society
will host a reception at the museum, 809 East Lawn Avenue.
Both the program site and the museum
are handicapped accessible. Boy Scout Troop/Crew 258 will be on hand at the
historic marker location to assist those with limited mobility.
Free parking will be available at the
former St. Mary School parking lot on Washington Ave. and, if that is filled,
the west side of St. Mary Church’s parking area may be used. Ward Street will
be blocked to traffic from Kenton to Lynn Streets.
For additional information, contact
the Historical Society by phone, 653-6721 or email, champhistmus@ctcn.net."
