AES members Ritchie Brown and Steve Solberg presented on Saturday, March 16 at the South Madison Library, a preview of an exciting proposal to transform a barren 55-acre island in Green Bay into a portal to Wisconsin‘s ancient past.
Ritchie Brown has dedicated his adult life to honoring and preserving the stories, traditions and sites associated with his Ho-Chunk ancestors and, along with La Crosse surveyor Steve Solberg, he has now developed a stunning vision to transform a 55-acre man-made island (created by the Army Corps of Engineers but now owned by Brown County) into a showcase of ancient earthworks, crafts and storytelling as part of a larger development plan.
The plan features a trail leading to an array of iconic earthworks, accompanied by information about the real mounds (including a 60-foot stepped pyramid topped by a 50’ x 50’ observation area), campground, amphitheater, canoeing and other facilities. Proposed on-shore improvements include a medicine wheel and a museum.
The team’s proposal was selected by county officials from over 40 other concepts.
