# Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH
**AGENCY:**
National Park Service, Interior.
**ACTION:**
Notice.
**SUMMARY:**
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Ohio History Connection intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
**DATES:**
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or after April 20, 2026.
**ADDRESSES:**
Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to Stephanie Kline, Ohio History Connection, 800 E 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211, email *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the Ohio History Connection, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
**Abstract of Information Available**
A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. The one object of cultural patrimony is a Treaty Pipe from 1842. Wyandot Indian tribal representatives and John Johnston, representing the United States, used the pipe in 1842 at a treaty council. As a result of that treaty, Wyandot Indians were removed in 1843 to land west of the Mississippi River. Johnston and his descendants retained the pipe. It was passed to additional owners, and finally to Leonard U. Hill, of Piqua, who donated it to the Ohio Historical Society (now Ohio History Connection) ca. 1970-1973. This Treaty Pipe has been impacted by mold and is set to undergo conservation treatment to mitigate all known biohazards. Additionally, it appears that an epoxy or other type of adhesive was applied to fasten the head to the stem, likely applied within 20 years prior to donation to Ohio History Connection.
**Determinations**
The Ohio History Connection has determined that:
• The one object of cultural patrimony described in this notice has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• There is a connection between the cultural item described in this notice and the Wyandotte Nation.
**Requests for Repatriation**
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under *ADDRESSES* . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after April 20, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Ohio History Connection must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural item are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Ohio History Connection is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.
*Authority:* Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: March 11, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.