NATCHEZ &8212; The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.

Over the years, the Grand Village has played an instrumental role in educating the public about local Native American culture, said Jim Barnett, director of the historic properties division for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Thirty years ago, landowner Grace McNeal gave part of her property to the state to form the core of a proposed park, he said. From there, a group of citizens and businesses purchased the remaining land from other people, and after some paperwork, the park was born.

Today, visitors to the historic location of the Natchez&8217; ceremonial center can learn about their culture through archeological findings, Barnett said. They can walk trails, explore the mounds, and learn from outdoor exhibits.

&8220;Our main mission here has been to present educational programs and public events to raise people&8217;s awareness of the Native American cultures that were here before the Europeans came in,&8221; Barnett said.

The park also plays host to a lecture series and provides educational tools for teachers, like a trunk filled with objects that the Natchez might have used.

What makes the site special, the reason it is a national historic landmark, is a meshing of cultures in one time period, Barnett said.

&8220;It&8217;s one of the few Native American sites in the Southeast where we have very descriptive European writings about the Natchez Indians and the way they used this site,&8221; Barnett said.

&8220;Those can be compared with archeological findings. The structures described by the French in eyewitness accounts match the remains of structures we found.&8221;

Over the past 30 years, the site has played host to thousands of school and adult groups, educating them about the Miss-Lou&8217;s Native cultural heritage.

&8220;I know the programs have been successful because sometimes I&8217;m asked to speak to civic groups in the area. I can tell by questions they ask and things they say they are already very knowledgeable about archeology and Native American culture,&8221; Barnett said.

Barnett said the park would continue to educate the public in the coming years.

The next lecture in their fall series will be held 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the park&8217;s museum auditorium. For information, call (601) 446-6502.