Pyramid House at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park to reopen during Founder’s Day event this weekend

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:45 a.m.
A sculpture of Harry T. Wilks is seen near the Pyramid House that overlooks Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park . FILE

A sculpture of Harry T. Wilks is seen near the Pyramid House that overlooks Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park . FILE

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum will celebrate its founder, Harry Thomas Wilks, on his birthday with the park’s annual Founder’s Day event.

Visitors are welcome to experience art in nature, “the way Harry intended, as well as learn more about what’s in store for the rest of 2023,” said Bryan Knicely, executive director at Pyramid Hill.

The park will host its Founder’s Day event from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and guests will receive free admission to the park and museum.

Sarah Templeton Wilson, development director at Pyramid Hill said there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:45 a.m. to celebrate the Pyramid House’s reopening, during which park officials will also announce the 2023 season of programming.

“This was all that Harry wanted the park to be. Harry was very happy to be a citizen of Hamilton and he loved the community, and to be able to open up the park to the community, especially on a day that shows off his love of education, art and nature is really perfect. So, we’ve tried to honor that by having highlights throughout the park of all of those elements,” said Templeton Wilson.

With the park’s 25th anniversary last year, she said, this is a rebirth for the park of our next steps.

“Opening the Pyramid House was the very first move on that and guests are going to see a lot of really cool things come to the park this year. Part of that will be included in the season announcements. We are going to be announcing some new programs that are going to take place this year,” Templeton Wilson said.

Beginning with Founder’s Day, the famed Pyramid House will be open for public tours for the first time in many years. Originally built by Wilks as a private residence, the Pyramid House has been featured in Architectural Digest.

Barbara Wilks, Harry’s daughter, will also be present for the celebration, along with several Pyramid Hill board members and community dignitaries.

Dr. Steven Tuck of Miami University will offer a guided tour and educational talk on the original artifacts and ancient sculptures that are now housed at the Pyramid House at 1 p.m.

Delaney French, marketing manager at Pyramid Hill said other Founder’s Day highlights will include access to the park’s newest sculpture, Transition, which was carved as a part of Hamilton Sculpture Week 2022, and Jill Krutick’s world premiere of Coral Beliefs that will be featured in the contemporary gallery of the Ancient Sculpture Museum.

The day will conclude with a member-exclusive happy hour at the Pyramid House at 2 p.m. with a Maple-themed refreshment, recognizing the Maple Trees in the park. Members will receive a complimentary beverage. Non-members are welcome to attend, and can purchase a beverage.

“We’re all really excited about opening the Pyramid House. It’s a big request from visitors. We have had a lot of people ask for access. So, we are thrilled to be able to welcome everybody into the Pyramid House and show it off. It’s an incredible structure, said French.


MORE INFO

Kicking-off on Founder’s Day, visitors will now be able to take a self-guided tour of the Pyramid House noon-5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundaysm and 11-11:45 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The tours are free for park members and included in park admission for the public.

About the Author