Tom O’Grady will share the history of the Moundbuilders, Ohio’s first farmers. Along with farming the Moundbuilders also built an extensive system of conical, geometric, and effigy earthworks. As early inhabitants of Ohio, the Moundbuilders were horticulturalists, hunters and gathers, engineers, astronomers, builders and had extensive trade connections. Although many questions remain, researchers continue to strive to understand how such feats were accomplished. What historians and archeologists know about the Moundbuilders comes from studying the earthworks, the grave good found in association with the works and from the study of remnants of habitations and dispose sites nearby. Join us on Thursday, February 27 at 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Nelsonville Health Center in the Heritage Community Room to learn more about the Moundbuilders.

Tom O’Grady, Director of Development and Outreach and Director Emeritus of the Southeast Ohio History Center has spent a good deal of the past twenty five years as a student of Ohio history researching its geography and settlement, the mound builders, Ohio canals, and several of its interesting characters and their stories.

The UpBEAT History Group SeniorBEAT History Group meets the second Thursday of each month at 1 p.m., usually at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital and the fourth Thursday of the month, for months of February, April, June, August and October at 2 p.m. at OhioHealth Nelsonville Health Center. Presenters range from local historical society associates to a variety of other community members who offer a wealth of information about historical interests.

UpBEAT is a program for those 55 years and older. Membership is free. To join UpBEAT and receive our monthly newsletter, or for program information, call Caitlin Bond, UpBEAT Program Coordinator, at (740) 566.4680.

During winter weather please note, UpBEAT programming is cancelled if the Athens City School District cancels for severe weather. We also cancel our programs if conditions are dangerous for older adults to leave their homes, for example if there is ice on roads or sidewalks or the temperature is below 15 degrees. When an activity is cancelled due to weather conditions, it will meet again at the next regularly scheduled time. When possible, the speaker or activity for the cancelled program will be rescheduled for the next available date. Except for the Saturday exercise class at O’Bleness, cancellations will be announced on WATH 970 AM.