The Turtle Mound at the New York State Fairgrounds Iroquois Indian Village represents the Great Turtle – an important figure in the Haudenosaunee creation story. This section of the fairgrounds was dedicated to the Six Nations in 1928.

The Turtle Mound plays host to traditional dancers whose ceremonies take place daily throughout the duration of each year’s Great New York State Fair. After years of extensive use, it had fallen into disrepair and was in need of rehabilitation. TWMLA was responsible for the re-design of the Turtle Mound and its surrounding landscape.

Bluestone pavers define the body of the turtle and provide contrast to the shell-patterned composite deck. The Turtle Mound is planted with Geranium macrorrhizum – a hardy perennial that tolerates deer, rabbit, and drought and helps prevent erosion of the mound. The fragrant geraniums provide color and texture to the turtle and eliminate the need for mowing the steep sides.