University of Tennessee Agriculture Farm Mound facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
U. T. Agriculture Farm Mound
|
|
![]() |
|
Nearest city | Knoxville, Tennessee |
---|---|
NRHP reference No. | 78002603 |
Added to NRHP | March 30, 1978 |
The UTK Agriculture Farm Mound site is a special place on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. It's an archaeological site, which means it's a place where scientists study old things to learn about the past. This site has a burial mound, which is a big pile of earth built long ago. People from the Woodland period (around 644 AD) built this mound to bury and honor their loved ones. Today, the mound is an important landmark at the university. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a place recognized for its historical importance.
Contents
What is the UTK Agriculture Farm Mound?
The UTK Agriculture Farm Mound is a very old burial mound. It was created by people living during the Woodland period, which was a long time ago, around 644 AD. These mounds were used to bury and remember people who had passed away. It helps us understand how ancient people lived and honored their dead.
Where is the Mound Located?
The mound is found on the Agricultural Campus of the University of Tennessee. You can find it at the corner of Joe Johnson Drive and Chapman Drive. In 2011, a special garden was built around the mound. This garden helps protect the mound from any damage, like from construction. It also helps more people notice and learn about this important historical site.
The Garden Project
The idea for the garden came from Fred Allen in 2008. He was the president of the Tennessee Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, an honor society for agriculture. He wanted to create a long-term project that would help educate people and make the site look beautiful.
Professors Hendrik van de Werken and Don Williams from the university helped design the garden. Later, Sam Rogers, another professor, helped make changes to the design.
Honoring Native American Traditions
The people working on the garden project asked for help from the Eastern Cherokee tribe. This was important because the mound is a part of Native American history. The tribe's Principal Chief, Michell Hicks, came to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the garden. An elder from the tribe, Mertyl Driver, also performed a special blessing for the site.
The main goal of the garden project is to honor the Native American traditions. It helps remember the Woodland People who built these burial mounds to honor their ancestors. The mound is now a valued part of the UT Gardens, showing respect for its history and the people who built it.