Peace Pipe

Ohio History

Tecumseh Peace Pipe

In 1807, a young leader named Tecumseh was rallying the Indian tribes to resist giving up land to white settlement. Fearing war, the governor asked Mr. Worthington for help (he was a trusted friend of the Indians). He brought Tecumseh and his men down to Adena for a week to talk peace, and when they left, the Indian gave him this tomahawk peace pipe. It’s now on display in the large Adena museum there at the estate.

Thomas Worthington's other political exploits included helping to write and ratify Ohio’s constitution so statehood could be achieved 1803. He went on to become U.S. Senator from 1803-07 and 1810-14, then Ohio governor from 1814-18. And, if that’s not enough, the picture on the Great Seal of Ohio is the view from the Adena hilltop across the river valley.