Historic Mound Gets Native Plants, Stones, Signage in Landmark Preservation Project

*KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A significant preservation effort has begun this week at an ancient Native American mound in Bronson Park, as the City of Kalamazoo partners with the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe*, to honor and protect the 1,000-year-old sacred site.

The renovation project marks the first major landscaping effort to commemorate the mound in decades, addressing years of pedestrian traffic that had worn down the sacred earthwork.

"Restoration work will focus on planting native, low-growth plants on top of the mound to prevent pedestrian traffic," said Cean Burgeson, a spokesperson for the Gun Lake Tribe, which acts as the steward of the mound.

Ground-Penetrating Radar Reveals Hidden Structure

Ground-penetrating radar investigations conducted in 2021 revealed that a structure or series of large posts built in a circle existed at the base of the mound before the earthwork itself was constructed. However, experts found no evidence the mound was used for burials.

"Historians believe it was used for ceremonial practices," reported Aya Miller of MLive.com.

The mound is believed to have been created by Indigenous Moundbuilders, a group known for their agricultural skills who lived in the area approximately 300 years before the Potawatomi Nation settled the region, according to the Kalamazoo Public Library.

Low-Growth Plants Prevent Further Damage

The new restoration plan involves installing native, low-growing vegetation across the surface of the mound. This approach is designed to discourage pedestrians from walking on the sacred site while maintaining its historical integrity.

"Five years later, Gun Lake Tribe's Historical Preservation Officer Lakota Hobia said in a statement that the plans will ensure there's little to no maintenance work required on the site and will discourage people from walking over the mound," reported WOODTV.com.

The work will continue through the summer into early fall, with completion expected by early autumn.

Grandmother and Grandfather Stones Mark the Site

A unique cultural element of the project involves the installation of "grandmother and grandfather stones" around the base of the mound. In many Indigenous cultures, these large rocks are referred to as "grandfathers" or "grandmothers" because they are among the oldest things on earth.

"A circle of grandmother and grandfather stones will also be installed around the base of the mound when planting is complete," stated the City of Kalamazoo.

The stones will be accompanied by signage placed north, south, east, and west of the mound to help visitors understand the site's significance and encourage respectful behavior.

Collaboration Brings Multiple Partners Together

The project represents a collaborative effort between several organizations:

  • The Gun Lake Tribe's Tribal Historic Preservation Office and Environmental Department
  • The City of Kalamazoo's Historic Preservation Coordinator and city staff
  • City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation
  • Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones, a native-plant group

"The project is a collaboration between the Gun Lake Tribe's Tribal Historic Preservation Office and Environmental Department, the City of Kalamazoo's Historic Preservation Coordinator and other city staff, City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation, and native-plant group Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones," reported WMUK.

Mound Located Near Civic Theatre

The Bronson Park mound is situated near 329 S. Park St. in downtown Kalamazoo, in close proximity to the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. The site has been a part of the city's landscape for over a millennium, predating European settlement by many centuries.

According to a rendering released by the Gun Lake Tribe, the new landscaping will create a clearly defined boundary around the mound, making it stand out more prominently while protecting it from casual foot traffic.

"A rendering of the plan is shown below," stated MLive.com, noting that the visual shows how the native plants will cover the mound's surface while the stones and signage mark its base.

No Burials Found, but Cultural Significance Remains

While ground-penetrating radar did not uncover evidence of burials within the mound, the site's cultural and ceremonial importance to Indigenous peoples remains undiminished. The Moundbuilders who created the structure were skilled agriculturists who left behind architectural evidence that has intrigued archaeologists and historians for generations.

"An investigation conducted in 2021 using ground penetrating radar revealed areas at the base of the mound that appeared to represent a structure or a series of large posts built into a circle before the mound was built. There was no evidence the mound was used for burials," stated MLive.com.

Summer Construction Timeline

The restoration work began this week and is expected to continue through the summer months, with final completion anticipated by early fall. The timeline allows for proper planting of the native vegetation and installation of the cultural stones and signage.

City officials have discussed ways to honor and distinguish the mound in years prior, but this represents the first large-scale landscaping project to commemorate the site.

"To date, no large landscaping projects to commemorate the mound have been done," noted MLive.com.

The collaboration between the Gun Lake Tribe and the City of Kalamazoo marks an important step in recognizing and preserving the deep Indigenous history that exists within the city's landscape. The project ensures that future generations will have a protected space to learn about and respect the 1,000-year-old mound that has stood sentinel in downtown Kalamazoo for over a millennium.