We have a winner! In many more ways than one!
The Cincinnati Chapter’s first place award for SAR’s Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest was presented at the 2nd Annual Hollow Earth Fest at Symmes Park in Hamilton, OH on April 26th.
2025 Eagle Scout Award Winner Zack Kramer
The 2025 winner was Eagle Scout Zack Kramer, a graduating senior at Hamilton Badin High School. Cincinnati SAR members met Zack and his family at the first Hollow Earth Fest in April 2024. At last year’s event, Zack was encouraged to enter SAR’s Eagle Scout Contest.
Zack Kramer addresses the gathered crowd with Cincinnati SAR President Scott Freeman
His Eagle Scout project, in progress at the time, was to locate and mark the graves of Revolutionary War soldier Paul Bonnell (SAR Patriot # P-117498) and his wife, which were documented to be in the northwest corner of Symmes Park. Ground penetrating radar was used to identify the likely location of the graves.
Symmes Park was once the Old Hamilton Burying Ground. Although most of those originally buried there were reinterred elsewhere, John Cleves Symmes, Jr. (1780-1829), renowned hollow earth theorist and a nephew of the famous John Cleves Symmes, is still buried in the center of the park, with a large and unusual monument symbolizing the hollow earth. Apparently, some others like Paul Bonnell and his wife in were never re interred.
Zack and Scott stand in front of the bench and plaque identifying Revolutionary War Patriots
Since last year, Zack’s Eagle Scout project has been completed and the location of the Bonnell graves is now marked by a historical marker and a bench.
Time in the program was granted for Chapter President Scott Freeman to present the award on the main stage with Zack’s family and friends and many other festival goers in attendance.
Thank you to Zack’s parents for helping to arrange this.
Zack with family and Scott Freeman
Special thanks to Scott Snow, the Cincinnati Chapter Chairman of the Eagle Scout Contest.
More information on the Hollow Earth Fest is available at the below link:
