April–November
Tuesday–Saturday
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday
noon-5:00 p.m.
Closed on Mondays

December–March
Saturday
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday
noon–5:00 p.m.
*Closed Monday–Friday, except by appointment

Fort Ancient offers exploration and learning both indoors and out. At the Fort Ancient Museum, visitors can look back at the three major technological themes of American Indian culture.

Fort Ancient offers seven unique, age-appropriate guided tours designed to complement classroom and Homeschool curriculum guidelines, providing students with a unique educational experience.

Fort Ancient offers a variety of unique program options for Scouts, including Camporees, a Revitalization Program, and guided group tours (groups of 20 or more). Fees vary, based on the program selected.

Fort Ancient makes a wonderful “Mystery” tour for adult and student group markets. Fort Ancient offers a step on guide who will greet the guests and make them feel welcome and will share the current site interpretations of both the archaeological and American Indian communities. Indoor interpretation depends upon the amount of time available, but it is important for the guest to experience the grounds as the motor coach drives through the grounds, highlighting the 18,000 feet of earthen walls. The gift shop at Fort Ancient offers a variety of American Indian themed crafts and reference books.

Fort Ancient offers two very different venues to host special events. Guests can reserve the outdoor shelter house for private family reunions, birthday parties or nature themed activities. It is located in the picnic area, in the southern end of the grounds where it is tranquil and isolated from any major road. The Museum also offers a quaint classroom that accommodates meetings, seminars, workshops and receptions.

Outreach and Preservation Partners

Fort Ancient works in partnership with a variety of organizations in and around the Cincinnati, Dayton and Warren County areas. This network of businesses and organizations help promote Fort Ancient to the broader community through grants, public service announcements, community service, educational programs, and technical support.

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Each summer, field work is completed on site by archaeology and anthropology students from Wright State University. In recent years, excavation and research efforts, headed by Dr. Robert Riordan, Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at WSU, have focused on the Moorehead Circle. This circular anomaly, located in the North Fort, was discovered in 2005 by Dr. Jarrod Burks of Ohio Valley Archaeology, Inc.

For more information about ongoing research, click here.

For more information about summer field work opportunities, associated with the Archaeological Field Techniques course, contact Wright State University’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology:

Wright State University

Sociology and Anthropology
270 Millett Hall

3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton, Ohio 45435-0001
Phone: 937–775–2667
Fax: 937–775–4228
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Boonshoft Museum

Experience unlimited fun and learning 359 days a year at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Explore the wonders of the world with a live animal zoo, the region’s only Planetarium, interactive science and technology exhibits, and dozens of family-friendly permanent exhibits, as well as special featured traveling exhibitions.

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Explore the site where Fort Ancient Indians lived more than 800 years ago. SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park brings to life the Fort Ancient culture through a partially reconstructed Village, Interpretive Center, exhibits and events.

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Fort Ancient offers a day of enjoyment for the entire family. Visitors can learn about Ohio’s rich prehistoric and historic past by exploring the 9,000 square foot exhibit space that depicts three major technological themes spanning over 12,000 years. Guests can also visit the seasonal reconstructed prehistoric garden that grows crops that were cultivated during the Hopewell and Fort Ancient cultures (2,000 and 1,000 years ago). There is a hands-on classroom where everything can be touched. Once you go outside, there are 2.5 miles of hiking trails, a picnic area and two overlooks, one of which views 3.5 miles of the Little Miami River valley.