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| Landmark #1001-2 | Madera County | Visited: February 18, 2013 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | Wassama Round House State Historic Park! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Dating prior to the 1860s, the Wassama Roundhouse was reconstructed in 1985 on the location of the previous four houses. In 1903, the third roundhouse was built using portions of the center pole from the two earlier houses. The roundhouse served as the focal point of spiritual and ceremonial life for many Native Californians. The Wassama Roundhouse continues to serve this purpose.
OTHER TIDBITS: Wassama means “leaves falling” in the language of the Southern Sierra Miwok who build and frequented this round house, or hangi! Here, the tribe would gather to dance for the harvest, for mourning, for celebrations, and even for games! There were three round houses built here. The tribes traditionally burned the first and second when their chiefs died. The third continued to be used after Chief Peter Westfall died in 1924, who had successfully acquired this 78.6-acre plot from the government for his tribe. Sold to non-Native owners in 1952, the round house was a lowly chicken coop until the state acquired the property in 1978! The house collapsed and was rebuit a fourth time. Today, it it still used for traditional dances by the Southern Sierra Miwok and Chukchansi Yokut tribes! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Wassama Roundhouse State Historic Park, 5.5 mi N of Oakhurst on Hwy 49 to Ahwahnee, then E .4 mi on Round House Rd ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~270mi (435km) — 4.5hrs |
| When should I go? | Hours vary, but for the best possible experience at this round house, go on Gathering Day, held the third Saturday of October! |
