Hartmeyer-Roth Park Press Release
By Beth Sluys
Hidden in plain sight, there is a parcel of land that sits nestled in behind the old Esquire Club on N Sherman Avenue and adjacent to the new apartments on Huxley Street. Once the Madison Parks Department became the owner of the approximately 15-acres of upland, wetland and marsh, a stakeholder meeting was held in September 2024 with Amy Rosebrough (Wisconsin State Archeologist), Bill Quackenbush (Ho-Chunk Tribal Historic Preservation Officer) and Eric Knepp (Madison Parks Superintendent) to show them a potential burial mound site. A request was made for a non-disruptive brush clearing process for the mound area to be completed by a group of volunteers to minimize any disturbance to the mound surface, as could happen with a heavy power mower. This work would be completed in preparation for a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey to be occur to determine if a specific portion of the park land contains a burial mound. All agreed, and the clearing work began in late October 2024 with the GPR survey completed in October 2025.
Ritchie Brown, Ho-Chunk elder and his field crew conducted the survey of the mound area and presented a summary report in April 2025. Casey Brown, Emmy Award winning Ho-Chunk documentarian and film maker, along with Northwestern professor and independent film maker Julia Pello, were on site to help with the clearing work as well as to record the proceedings for a film they are making about Indigenous mounds in the Midwest. PBS Wisconsin producer Kyra Lyons also helped clear the site and filmed to document the field work for an upcoming program focused on Madison for the Hometown series.
In addition, the leadership of the Ancient Earthworks Society (AES) provided the volunteers with resources, guidance, and observations. Dr. James Sherz, professor emeritus of the UW School of Engineering, has decades of Indigenous site identification and mapping experience and has been an advisor and active participant in this process. He did a preliminary site walk to determine what other features might be indicated.
The results of the GPR survey report, stated that “The Roth Street site constitutes a significant and sensitive burial location containing numerous subsurface features consistent with human interment, representing an extensive and historically meaningful cultural resource. Any ground-disturbing activities in or around the surveyed area carry a high risk of impacting human remains….” The mound was determined to be a mass burial site with additional burials in the vicinity of the mound.
On May 13, at the Board of Park Commissioners meeting, there an informational presentation and several people spoke. Steve Solberg, land surveyor and co-author of the GPR survey report, stated that this site is “a perfect blend of wildness and tranquility with an array of wildlife, plant life and also a place of tranquility for the many ancestors buried there.” Ritchie Brown stated that “The Ho-chunk have been here through two ice ages. We focused (the investigation) just on the major mound on Roth Street. The parks department should consider completing the investigation before you make any major decisions. We have done a lot of sites and this is huge so I am sure there is more there.” Aaron Birdbear, retired Director of Tribal Relations for the UW- Madison and member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Dine’ Nations of North Dakota, spoke at length about the mounds of Wisconsin and their destruction over time. He described “a vast system of burial sites all linked together so I want to remind you that they are important to protect when considering the vast majority have been destroyed. It is our hope that when we do any sort of development, we really think and honor this vast system of burial mounds. The Indigenous history of this area needs to be the central focus as we move forward with park planning. Knowing that within Madison, it participated in the destruction of over 90% of the mounds that are here. I hope that in the 21st Century that destruction is still not the priority for development and capitalism but maybe preservation of the people that were here prior to the city, would be an important priority.”
Casey Brown stated that he was speaking on behalf of the “countless relatives that I have at the Hartmeyer Roth property.” He shared that “the importance of non-tribal governments consulting with native peoples and to do the due diligence we need to perform when talking about Ho-Chunk land and its people.” Casey concluded that “You can learn a jump shot at almost any other park in Madison, you can’t learn the history of a people whose stories go back two ice ages.” Kevin Akemann, licensed archeologist presented some preliminary findings from an initial review of the property and spoke about the evidence of areas of habitation and the need for further site investigation. Charlene Wilke, spoke about the need to not install hard surfaces into the wetland as it is a natural resource that helps with flood mitigation.
Vice President of Common Council and Park Commissioner Glenn (District 18) spoke about how she works in violence prevention and how she has been focused on the need for a traditional city park now that the apartments are on Huxley. Her focus was only on having a park but that due to the finding of the burial site and the possible installation of park features on the landscape, she said that “I feel like everything is off the table. It is a big stop, no more questions.” Alder and Commissioner Lieberman (District 14) stated that he would be “backing that sentiment as well.” (Note: The apartments on Huxley are already provided with a playground, a swimming pool and several dog relief areas.)
We need to confirm all of the Indigenous features that are throughout this 15-acre parcel of land as the community considers use of this park. We have a real opportunity to continue the lessons learned from the Vilas Park disturbance when a mound was disturbed and ancient alignment boulders were moved. Let us be pro-active in our efforts to create a beautiful park but not at the cost of destroying a cultural heritage site. Let our desire to respect those who are interred on this site be the reason we proceed with care. This inclusion of the knowledge of the sacredness of this site, should be the groundwork for parks and burial sites to co-exist in a respectful manner. We need to determine and document, the other Indigenous cultural features and burial sites that are present, and create a space that is one of tranquility and calm. A place where children can learn about Indigenous history and nature within a safe space near their home.
Good planning for both the identification and protection of Indigenous heritage on this parcel of land as well as providing a beautiful and respectful public space can happen. We as a community always acknowledge that we live on ancient tribal lands, this is our opportunity to take our words to action and make sure we are careful when creating this public park in alignment with its ancestral use. We need to continue this discussion about the cultural resources in Hartmeyer Roth Park and to put processes in place to protect them. An investigation that is in continued collaboration with the Ho-Chunk Nation should be completed and let us celebrate together, this new understanding of what lies hidden in plain sight.
