North Park Staff Plans for Restoration of Historic Native American Story Pole

An 83-year-old Native American story pole battered by years of exposure to the weather was moved earlier this week inside a barn at the North Park Latodami Nature Center. Park officials plan to keep it stored in the more sheltered location until it can be restored.

"If we didn't do it now, we'd lose it," said North Park Supervisor Don Schmitt. 

The story pole, which Allegheny County Commissioner Edward Vose Babcock commissioned in 1928 and Chief William Shelton of the Snohomish Nation in Washington state carved, was erected in 1929 in North Park. Until earlier this year it stood next to Flagstaff Hill along Walter Road. In May, Allegheny County Public Works removed the story pole to preserve it. Until Wednesday morning, it was being stored in an outside spot near the barn. 

The pole, originally 40 feet tall, lost about 5 feet from the bottom when it was removed from its original concrete anchor. It was carved from a single western cedar tree and weighs about 1,000 pounds. 

Park personnel said they hope to apply for grants to pay for the restoration, which the Snohomish Nation of the Tulalip Tribe in Washington state has agreed to do. Once restored, they said they'd like to display it in a glass case indoors. 

"It's a great part of North Park history," said permanent assistant naturalist Earl Dingus, who is a member of the Cherokee Nation.

The pole features 13 carvings, each with an associated story. They include images of a brown bear (at top and damaged), an alligator, two men, a snake, an eagle, a seal, masks, a whale and a woman. 

"It's a great honor to be at the bottom," Dingus said, explaining that the idiom "low man on the totem pole" is misused. "Many Native American nations are matriarchal and honor the woman. That's why she is at the bottom."