โœ‰ info@aztalan.us | ๐ŸŒ aztalan.us
Our Purpose

Mission & Values

Guided by a deep commitment to preservation, education, and community, we work to ensure Aztalan State Park endures as a living testament to Wisconsin's ancient heritage.

Organized for the charitable and educational purpose of supporting, assisting, and promoting interpretive, scientific, historical, educational, and related visitor services at Aztalan State Park, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

โ€” Organizational Mission Statement, Friends of Aztalan State Park Inc.

Our Vision

A Future Where the Past
Is Never Forgotten

We envision Aztalan State Park as a world-class destination for archaeological education, cultural tourism, and Indigenous heritage โ€” a place where visitors of all ages encounter the full depth of human achievement in ancient Wisconsin.

Our vision extends beyond the park's borders. We believe that engaging people with authentic archaeological sites builds empathy, broadens perspectives, and fosters civic pride in Wisconsin's extraordinary natural and cultural patrimony.

By funding programs, capital improvements, and research that the state park system alone cannot provide, we bridge the gap between what Aztalan is today and what it has the potential to become for future generations.

Dramatic clouds over the mounds at Aztalan State Park

What Guides Us

Our Core Values

Everything we do flows from five core values that have guided our organization since its founding โ€” principles rooted in respect for the past and responsibility for the future.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Preservation

We are stewards of an irreplaceable archaeological treasure. Physical preservation of the mounds, stockade, and site features is the foundation of everything we do.

๐Ÿ“š

Education

We believe knowledge transforms. Through tours, programs, publications, and events, we help people of all ages understand and appreciate Aztalan's significance.

๐Ÿค

Community

Aztalan belongs to all of us. We foster a welcoming community of members, volunteers, educators, and residents united by a shared love for Wisconsin's heritage.

๐Ÿ”ฌ

Research

Our understanding of Aztalan continues to grow. We fund and support ongoing archaeological research that deepens our knowledge of this remarkable site.

๐ŸŒฟ

Stewardship

We hold Aztalan in trust for future generations. Responsible stewardship means caring for the land, the landscape, and the stories embedded in this ancient soil.

How We Help

Supporting the Park

The Friends group fills a critical gap between state park funding and the full potential of what Aztalan can offer. Here is how we support the park:

1

Interpretive Programs

We fund guided tours, school group visits, and educational programming that bring Aztalan's story to life for thousands of visitors each year.

2

Capital Improvements

Our $1 million Visitor Center campaign will create a world-class interpretive center with exhibits, meeting space, and accessible facilities.

3

Archaeological Research

We provide funding for scientific investigation that advances our understanding of Aztalan's people, culture, and connections to the wider Mississippian world.

4

Volunteer Coordination

Our volunteer program mobilizes community members for park maintenance, visitor services, and special events โ€” building civic investment in the site.

5

Community Outreach

Through our newsletter, social media, and annual events like Indigenous Gardening Day, we keep the public connected to Aztalan's ongoing story.

6

Membership Program

Individual and family memberships provide a sustainable funding base for all our programs while giving supporters a personal stake in the park's future.

Join Us in This Important Work

Whether through membership, volunteering, or a gift to our Visitor Center campaign, you can play a direct role in preserving Wisconsin's most significant archaeological site.

Become a Member See Our Programs