SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park is committed to providing a safe environment for all of our guests. As such, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older at all times.
Masks are required INSIDE the interpretive center for anyone 6 and older and we encourage and monitor safe social distancing while inside.
Outside, you do not have to wear masks if you feel comfortable and can properly socially distance yourself from other groups.
Our staff is required to wear masks indoors.
We have routine cleaning that is done throughout the day.
We have also added a few new hand sanitizer stations throughout the building as well
CLOSED on Mondays
Adults $7.00
Seniors (60+) $6.00
Children (6-17) $6.00
Children (under 6) Free
Members are FREE!
December-March
CLOSED except for special events. Check our Facebook page or Calendar for schedule.
2301 W River Road
Dayton, OH 45417
Phone: (937) 268-8199
Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of Dayton Society of Natural History’s From Salvage to SunWatch, increasing accessibility to humanities collections, activities, and research of the Fort Ancient people.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered Dayton Society of Natural History’s, a grant to renovate the SunWatch visitor center that would promote the safety of visitors, preservation of collections items, and access to the SunWatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park. NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. § 470. NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.
The SunWatch Visitor center is located at 2301 W River Rd, Dayton, OH 45417. The facility was originally constructed in 1988. The proposed work consists of removing and repaving parking lot paving and parking entrance with a 2-inch overlay; replacing parking lot and bollard lighting, installing remotely operated roller shades in museum conference room, security cameras; updating electrical and plumbing on lower level of museum; and renovating the existing wooden decking, back stairway, window jambs, and first floor restroom facilities. The only ground disturbing activity is limited to the north side of the existing parking lot, which is failing and in need of major repairs.
Per a letter dated April 15, 2021 from Stephen M. Biehl, Project Reviews Coordinator (archeology), for the Ohio Historical Society, concurs that the planned work, if completed as proposed, will not adversely affect historic properties, stating that “archaeological excavations were conducted prior to the original construction of the parking lot, which identified a low-density scatter of artifacts that was determined not eligible for listing on the NRHP, either individually or as a contributing element to the SunWatch Indian Village/ Archaeological Park site (NR Ref. #75001500). In addition, the current museum building is a modern construction (< 50 years) and is not considered a contributing element to the NRHP site.”
As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov. The deadline for submitting comments is May 8, 2021.