The awe-inspiring Angel Mounds near Evansville remain a long-standing testament to the Mississippian community that lived near the confluence of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers nearly 1,000 years ago. It’s believed these elevated flat-topped earthen structures were built to elevate sacred ceremonial buildings, constructed in alignment with celestial events such as the summer and winter solstices.
Although the site was abandoned around 1450 AD, the mounds still exist, revealing insight into the history of this native American culture. Now managed as an Indiana State Museum and Historic Site property, the 600-acre swath of land holds 11 original mound structures for visitors to view and ponder, the largest measuring more than 600 feet in length, 400 feet in width and 40 feet in height.
Excavations through the years have uncovered more than 2.5 million artifacts preserved through the Indiana University Museum of Archaeology, some of which are on display at the newly updated interpretive center alongside contemporary works by modern makers. The visitors center reopened on Nov. 16, 2024 following an extensive two-year, $6.5 million renovation that included re-creating fortification palisade walls and adding new signage along a nearly 4-mile loop trail. All improvements were made with consultative input from federally recognized tribal artists and historians.
“We are grateful for the collaborations across many communities that have made this new experience possible,” said Cathy Ferree, president and CEO of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. “The mounds are breathtaking, and now the stories of this vibrant and sacred city are elevated by the voices of living descendants of the Mississippian culture who highlight its relevancy to today’s world.”
The Angel Mounds renovation project was made possible thanks to a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and funding from the State of Indiana. For more information and to purchase tickets for admission, visit indianamuseum.org.
