Saturday in the Park began in 2009 and is held during the park’s peak visitation seasons, which are early spring to early summer and during the fall. The event features a series of demonstrations and presentations related to Native Americans, archaeology, natural history, sustainable gardening and more. Most programs, which run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., have hands-on activities for children.
While visitors pay admission to enter the park, there is no additional charge for these programs.
“This type of program fulfills two parts of UA’s threefold mission: teaching and service,” said Betsy Irwin, the interim director of Moundville Archaeological Park as well as a staff member at UA Museums.
As an organizer of the program, Irwin said she loves meeting new people and learning new things. She said she likes to see children’s eyes light up when they learn something new or when they get to make something of their very own to take home with them.
“Some of the most respected authorities on Southeastern Indians arts, crafts and technologies as well as in archaeology and history have presented at Saturday in the Park,” she said.
The first presentation will be held Saturday, with the topic of “Southeastern Indian Shell Carving,” given by Dan Townsend, who grew up in the Florida Keys and now lives and works in Tallahassee, Florida.
“It’s all about educating the public and doing away with stereotyping about the Native Peoples or Mound Cultures so rich in the arts. Moundville is one of the seven natural wonders of North America,” Townsend said.
