BY JENNY CALLISON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OKEANA -- Two cultures, one site. Early 19th century life of Native Americans and white settlers in southwest Ohio will be re-created Saturday and Sunday at Pioneer Village at Governor Bebb Preserve.
"Normally we would not have an encampment in a settlement, but it gives us a chance to show things borrowed on both sides," said Thomas Rattling Gourd Andrews.
Mr. Andrews, a Hamilton resident who belongs the Great Lakes Band of the United Lumbee Nation, said Indians taught European settlers about medicinal herbs and settlers shared fabrics and clothing with the native dwellers.
"It's funny to see the native slant on European clothing," said Mr. Andrews. "For example, a chemise was worn by white women as an undergarment, but native women liked to wear it as a shirt."
Activities feature traditional weaponry, medicinal herbs, Indian games, storytelling, native music and dance, and finger weaving.
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IF YOU GO
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What: Native American Encampment.
Where: The Governor Bebb Preserve opens at 11 a.m. and the encampment takes place from noon until 5 p.m. each day.
Admission: $2, adults, $1 for children, ages 5-11, and seniors.
Food: Visitors may bring picnics; Native American foods will be available for sampling and food will be sold at the Gray Cat Tavern.
Directions: The Preserve is on Bebb Lane. Turn left off State Route 126, 9 miles west of Ross.
Information: Metroparks of Butler County, 867-5835.
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Visitors can also tour the settlement. The Pioneer Village consists of historic log houses and other buildings original to Butler County and southeastern Indiana relocated to the preserve and restored.
Organized around a village green, the settlement has cabins from the early 1800s, a blacksmith's forge, general store, one-room schoolhouse and tavern. Costumed interpreters will help visitors understand the life of a frontier community.
One log house is the birthplace and boyhood home of William Bebb, 19th governor of Ohio (1846-1848).
Thomas Andrews says there was a strong tie between native residents and the Bebb family.
"William Bebb's father was kind to the native people. He was in the textile business and gave bolts of cloth to Shawnee and Miami people. When the Shawnee came to his house they liked to hear his grandfather clock chime, so he would adjust the clock to noon. He never knew what time it really was, since he was always changing the clock."
