Join National Park Partners and the National Park Service, along with Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, for a special public forum on the past, present, and future of Moccasin Bend National Archeological District. Community members are invited to attend this free event and learn the archaeological and Indigenous history of Moccasin Bend; a century of preservation efforts from Adolph Ochs in the 1920’s to National Park Partners today; the National Park Service plans for interpreting 12,000 years of human habitation, from the earliest Paleo-Indians to US Army encampments on Moccasin Bend during the Civil War Campaign for Chattanooga; and current threats to Moccasin Bend’s nationally significant and sacred resources.
The meeting will be held Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Skyline Loft at Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Hwy.
Guests will hear from Park Historian Jim Ogden and Superintendent Brad Bennett with Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park (including Moccasin Bend National Archeological District). Other planned speakers include local historian and archaeologist Jay Mills; Moccasin Bend Task Force members, former City Councilwoman Sally Robinson and Chair Rick Montague, and former Congressman Zach Wamp who authored the 2003 legislation creating the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District.
Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity for questions and comments to make their voices heard on this generationally important public land use decision. Cocktail-style food and drinks will be provided. Space is limited for this free event; advance registration is required and can be made here.
National Park Partners launched a "Save the Bend, Again" campaign in August following a State of Tennessee proposal for new construction of a modern mental health facility within the National Historic Landmark boundary on Moccasin Bend. The new proposal defies prior commitments from State officials to relocate their campus off of this nationally significant and culturally sensitive land when the time came to build a replacement facility. The decision was made behind closed doors with no public input or involvement of other stakeholders like the National Park Service of the 23 American Indian Tribes with Moccasin Bend ancestry, said officials.
The Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians passed a resolution opposing new construction at Moccasin Bend. Res. No. 175 was passed unanimously with Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Michell Hicks saying, “I think we need to be as strong as we possibly can about protecting historic sites in any way that we possibly can.”
More information on the Save the Bend, Again campaign can be found here and the public forum information can be found here.