archeology

On August 25, 2017, the National Park Service will celebrate its 101st anniversary as an agency! In honor of the occasion, a week of exciting programs will be offered at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, one of the 417 units of the National Park Service. In addition to the programs listed below, the reconstructed Fort Vancouver will be populated with costumed volunteers throughout the week. Wednesday, August 23rd, Friday, August 25th, and Saturday, August 26th, from 9 am to 1 pm, visitors can also visit an active archaeological dig on the northern side of East 5th Street.

All programs are free of charge. On Friday, August 25, entrance fees to the reconstructed Fort Vancouver will be waived.
Archaeology Walking Tours
Discover the history that lies beneath our feet on one of this week’s Archaeology Walking Tours, led by National Park Service Archaeologists Dr. Doug Wilson and Elaine Dorset. These tours will meet at the entrance to the reconstructed Fort Vancouver.

Tuesday, August 22, 10:30 am
Wednesday, August 23, 10:30 am (this tour will feature the archaeology of the Historic Garden)
Saturday, August 26, 10:30 am
Spruce Mill Trail Walking Tours and Slide Presentation
Explore our community’s local World War I history on this special walking tour of the national park’s Spruce Mill Trail. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Chief of Interpretation Dr. Bob Cromwell will discuss the Spruce Production Division, which milled lumber for aircraft production during the war. These tours will meet at Pearson Air Museum, and after a 30 minute walking tour, will conclude with a one-hour presentation at the Tex Rankin Theater at Pearson Air Museum.

Friday, August 25, 1 pm
Saturday, August 26, 1 pm
The DH-4 Liberty In Peace and At War
Join Chief of Interpretation Dr. Bob Cromwell for a presentation on the history and development of the DH-4 Liberty plane, which played a significant role during World War I. This talk will take place at the Tex Rankin Theater at Pearson Air Museum, and will be followed by a walking tour around the museum’s newly restored DH-4 aircraft.

Saturday, August 26, 3 pm
Historical Garden Walking Tours
Join National Park Service volunteers on a special interpretive tour of the Fort Vancouver Garden. This garden was designed to replicate the Hudson’s Bay Company garden used by the residents of the fort in the 1830s and 40s. This tour will meet at the north end of the garden.

Daily, Tuesday, August 22, through Saturday, August 26, 9:15 am
Ethnobotany Walking Tour of the Confluence Land Bridge
Local nonprofit Confluence is honored to be working with Greg Archuleta, a Grand Ronde Lifeways Instructor, to produce this special series of walks. Greg will share native plants, their uses, and cultural items representational of Chinookan culture along the lower Columbia River. This tour starts at Old Apple Tree Park in Vancouver, Washington, off Columbia Way. To RSVP, contact Program Manager Courtney Yilk at 360-693-0123 or at courtney@confluenceproject.org

Saturday, August 26, 9 am to 11 am
Museum Collections Guided Tour
Go behind the scenes with Fort Vancouver National Historic Site’s Assistant Curator Meagan Huff to explore the national park’s museum collection of archaeological and historic artifacts. Learn how artifacts help us understand the past, and hear stories based on objects in the national park’s museum collection. This tour will meet at the Contact Station just inside the gates of the reconstructed Fort Vancouver. This tour is limited to 15 participants. All participants must be age 10 or older. Reserve a spot on this tour by calling (360) 816-6255.

Friday, August 25, 10:30 am
Kids Programs
Kids of all ages have an opportunity to learn about our local history at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site! Two Junior Ranger Days will be offered for kids ages 6 to 12. Toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers can join us for Little Learners at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, a drop-in program designed for young children.

Junior Ranger Day at Fort Vancouver, ages 6-12: Friday, August 25, 10 am to 2 pm
Junior Ranger Day at Pearson Air Museum, ages 6-12, Saturday, August 26, 10 am to 2 pm
Little Learners at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, ages 2-5: Saturday, August 26, 10 am to 12 pm

What: The 101st Birthday of the National Park Service, a celebration at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

When: Tuesday, August 22, to Saturday, August 26

Where: Reconstructed Fort Site (1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver, WA 98661), Fort Vancouver Visitor Center (1501 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661) and Pearson Air Museum (1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver, WA 98661)

Cost: Free