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”Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
One of the great places to go in Portland is Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This historic site situated on the Columbia River tells you all about the history of this area and how it has changed over time. It’s an exciting place to explore, and with so many different things happening here, there is always something new to experience!
There are plenty of exhibits and activities available at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, so make sure you set aside enough time to explore everything. Be sure to check out the reconstructed fort, the gardens, and the trading post, as well as the various events that take place here throughout the year. There is always something new happening at this fascinating historic site, so be sure to visit often!
History of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Fort Vancouver’s site was initially inhabited by the Multnomah people and was known as “the place where the rivers meet.” The fort was established in 1824 by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a fur trading post. The fort played an essential role in the development of western Canada and the United States and was one of the most essential Hudson Bay Company posts that remained on the west coast.
By 1825, Fort Vancouver was one of the major commercial centers in the Pacific Northwest. The fort served as a base for American explorers like Lewis and Clark, who came to explore the Oregon Territory with their expedition company known as “the Corps of Discovery.” It also played essential roles in the Mexican-American War and the California Gold Rush.
The fort was abandoned in 1846 after the Oregon Treaty established Canada and the United States at the 49th parallel. The site of Fort Vancouver was designated as a National Historic Site in 1948. Today, visitors can explore restored buildings and exhibits that tell the story of the fort and its role in North American history.
Facts About Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
– Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is located in Washington, just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.
– The site was once a fur trading post and now serves as a museum and park commemorating the history of the Pacific Northwest region.
– The fort features exhibits on historical topics such as Native American life, the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading era, and pioneer life.
– The park is home to a National Historic Site which includes historic buildings that have been restored to their original appearance in 1864 when Ulysses S. Grant was stationed there as a lieutenant colonel of the 22nd Infantry Regiment.
– In 1996, the 366-acre Vancouver National Historic Reserve was established to protect adjacent, historically significant historical areas. It includes the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Vancouver Barracks, Officers’ Row, Pearson Field, The Water Resources Education Center, and portions of the Columbia River waterfront.
There are also walking trails, a reconstructed palisade, and carved sentry posts that visitors can explore to learn about the history of Fort Vancouver.
Things to Do at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
One of the most popular things to do in this area is to go on a self-guided tour. This allows you to take time and go at your own pace, exploring all that is without worrying about anyone else! If history is not your thing, there are many other things to do in Fort Vancouver National Historic Site!
A lot is going on here, and the best way to enjoy everything this historic site offers is by exploring it all at once. However, if you can’t manage that, don’t worry because many of these attractions have separate entrance fees.
The two best places to start are the museum and the gardens. The museum holds a lot of history, but it’s accessible for everyone, so feel free to go in even if you’re not interested in this kind of thing! If that is your style, then head over to the garden, where there is an apple orchard with plenty of different types of apples, a herb garden, and more!
Once you’ve finished exploring the museum and gardens, make your way over to the fort. This is where you’ll find reconstructed buildings as well as some original ones that have been moved here from other parts of the United States. There are also demonstrations throughout the day, so be sure to arrive early to get a good spot!
Once you’ve finished exploring these areas, take some time out and enjoy the view. You can see for miles all around, so it’s definitely worth stopping here for just a few minutes. This is another excellent place to go if you want, somewhere quiet where you can sit back and relax. It does make for a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, and it’s also very popular with photographers.
This historic site has something for everyone, no matter your interests. There is so much going on here that there would be more than enough to keep you busy for days!
Activities and Events at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
The Fort Vancouver NHS is open year-round and filled with activities. The park features a variety of events, exhibits, guided tours, and more to offer visitors throughout the seasons. While there are many different things you can do at Fort Vancouver National Historic site, here are a few highlights:
People flock to the historic site for special events, such as the annual Fourth of July celebration, including a parade and living history demonstrations.
In springtime, visitors can enjoy the sights of wildflowers in bloom at the gardens and along nature trails. The park’s interpretive staff lead guided hikes to some of the best flower-viewing spots.
The fort comes alive with thousands of tulips in the spring.
Visitors can learn about pioneer life through special events and living history demonstrations throughout the summer.
The park offers guided tours, walking trails, children’s activities and programs, hikes on nature trails with naturalists to spot native plants, animals, and birds along the way.
In autumn, visitors can marvel at the changing colors of the leaves and enjoy special events such as the Fort Vancouver Harvest Festival.
The park is open every day. Year-round from sunrise to sunset. There are no entrance fees for pedestrians and cyclists. However, vehicle entrance fees do apply.
There is so much to do at the Fort Vancouver National Historic site, and you could easily spend an entire day here and not run out of activities. Here are a few things to get you started:
Visit the museum. This is a great place to start if you’re interested in learning more about the site’s history. Some exhibits are accessible for all ages, so it’s a great place to bring the whole family.
Explore the gardens. There is an apple orchard, herb garden, and more here for you to enjoy. This is a great place to relax and take a break from touring the fort.
Walkthrough the fort. There are reconstructed buildings and some original ones that have been moved here from other parts of the United States. Be sure to check out the schedule of demonstrations going on throughout the day, and you may get to see something interesting!
Take in the view. This is a great place to stop and take in the views. It’s a beautiful photo-op, and there are plenty of benches to sit on if you want to enjoy the scenery for just a few minutes.
Check out some special events. There is always something going on at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, so be sure to check their website before planning your trip.
How to Get to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is located in Vancouver, Washington. The park is open year-round and filled with activities. The best way to get to the park is by car, as there is no public transportation available. Several parking lots are available, but they can fill up quickly on busy days, so it’s best to arrive early. There is also a visitor center located on the grounds.
Hours: The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is open every day, year-round, from sunrise to sunset.
Fees: Pedestrians and cyclists are free. However, vehicle entrance fees do apply.
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