Wassama Round House State Historic Park

The Wassama Round House State Historic Park is in the Sierra Nevada foothills, in Madera County of central California.

Wassama Round House State Historic Park
Wassama Round House
Map showing the location of Wassama Round House State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Wassama Round House State Historic Park
Location in California
Map showing the location of Wassama Round House State Historic Park
Map showing the location of Wassama Round House State Historic Park
Wassama Round House State Historic Park (the United States)
LocationMadera County, California
Nearest cityAhwahnee
Coordinates37°22′28″N 119°43′19″W / 37.37444°N 119.72194°W / 37.37444; -119.72194
Governing bodyState of California
Official nameWassama Roundhouse[1]
Reference no.1001

Californian Native Americans edit

The park and Round House is used by local Native Americans as a ceremonial meeting place. Gathering Day, held the third Saturday of October, includes demonstrations of dancing, crafts and basket weaving.

The Wassama Roundhouse is a reconstruction built in 1985 upon the location of four previous such houses. Originally dating prior to the 1860s, the roundhouses served as the focal point of spiritual and ceremonial life for many Native Californians. In 1903, the third roundhouse was built using portions of the center pole from the two earlier houses. It is California Historical Landmark #1001.[1]

Access edit

Wassama Round House State Historic Park is off California State Route 49, five miles northwest of Oakhurst, California. The park features special events and tours.

Proposed for closure edit

The park was one of the 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of a deficit reduction program.[2] The Wassama Round House State Historic Park remains open.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Madera County". California Historical Landmarks. Office of Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  2. ^ CBS5.com: List Of Calif. Parks To Close In Budget Proposal

External links edit