Anyone interested in literally digging into the past will have that opportunity Sept. 13-14 at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park. The West Virginia Archaeological Society (WVAS) and the University of Kentucky (UK) are sponsoring and conducting an archaeological dig at Tu-Endie-Wei starting at about 10 a.m. Saturday and continuing into Sunday. They hope to find remnants of the old Fort Blair. Volunteers are welcome and visitors may come to watch.
General rules governing public use of state park areas prohibits removal of man-made or natural objects, including archaeological relics or artifacts unless authorized. WVAS and UK have completed required paperwork and received approval, permitting this event to occur as part of a scientific collection study.
Tu-Endie-Wei State Park is located in Mason County at the junction of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers. A monument commemorates the frontiersmen who fought and died at the Battle of Point Pleasant. This battle was fought against Chief Cornstalk and his allies Oct. 10, 1774, and is recognized as the decisive engagement in a series of Indian wars. The name “Tu-Endie-Wei” is a Wyandotte word meaning “point between two waters.”
Tu-Endie-Wei also will host Battle Days Oct. 3-4. Battle Days is a living history event detailing the Battle of Point Pleasant and 1700s era lifestyles. Activities will include “On the Drum,” Oct. 4, demonstrating Native American life as sounded out with large drums with multiple drummers and dancers. These programs are free to the public.
To learn more about this state park and its history, visit www.tu-endie-weistatepark.com or call 304-957-9365.
