Archaeologists, commission push protections and interpretive sign for Heim/Haim Effigy Mound

Rob Murray, past president of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society, told Middleton's Landmarks Commission the Heim (Haim/Himes) Effigy Mound is an approximately 1,000‑year‑old burial effigy and a locally rare cultural resource that predates much of Middleton’s built heritage.

Murray described stewardship work on the quarter‑acre parcel the Wisconsin Archaeological Society has maintained since a 1937 map indicated the society as the lot recipient. He said volunteers removed an estimated 1,000 buckthorn stems and began prescribed burns five years ago to reduce nonnative groundcover; the parcel now supports roughly 35 species of spring ephemeral wildflowers. "These mounds ... are burial sites," Murray said, and that legal protection in Wisconsin dates to the late 1980s (cataloging provides protection when property owners agree).

Murray flagged two immediate priorities: (1) replacing and relocating the commemorative rock and plaque to sit beside a planned 2'x3' interpretive panel (the panel would provide a map and illustration to help viewers make out the fox/wolf effigy), and (2) protecting the mound during a planned Mound Drive reconstruction (2026–2027). He said a recent plaque update introduced errors (donor name and address placement) and asked the commission to coordinate plaque text and placement.

Commissioners discussed construction risk: Mound Drive’s right-of-way is 66 feet wide with 20 feet of pavement, and early survey lines ran within inches of the mound “nose.” Commissioner S4 moved to direct staff to include contract language in the Mound Drive reconstruction bid documents that prohibits heavy equipment, material storage, earth-moving, and requires a construction fence around the protected parcel; staff should consult the city attorney and Public Works to draft an appropriate easement and contract language. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Commissioners also asked Public Works to consider relocating one of the no‑parking signposts that staff had already begun installing near the mound because the post sits close to where the interpretive panel and relocated rock are proposed. The commission agreed to draft an easement and work toward having the panel and relocated rock installed in spring (May), timed with Wisconsin archaeology month, and to complete easement paperwork by the end of the calendar year.

What’s next: staff will draft easement language, ask Public Works to include protective contract clauses in the road‑work bid, and work with Murray on panel text and rock relocation plans ahead of a spring installation and plaque update.