Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

After breakfast at Brewed a friend, we decided on a walk. So we went down to the river and then over to Fort Vancouver.
The Fort has several areas, I have driven along Officers Row a few time, lots of nice houses all painted the same. Big trees are featured in the nice landscaping. It’s a nice area. There are barracks off to the South.
This time we went to the old fort. It was built by the Hudson Bay Company back before this area became part of the United states. OK not this fort, but the original Fort. This fort is a recreation after careful archeology they have carefully tried to recreated buildings at their original site. The museums have lots of found objects.
Not all the buildings have been rebuilt. You can see the pads where other buildings used to be. There are signs and volunteers sharing information. I thought the blacksmith working an old forge was interesting and informative.
Also there is a nice garden area out front.
It’s only five dollars to get in the old fort so its definitely worth it.

Between our brewery tour and eating along the way on our trip to Vancouver we actually got to take in some sites too! We went to Fort Vancouver and how delightful it was! Not only is the old, wooden fort here but quite a few other things as well! In addition to being a fort this was a military base at one time around World War II which eventually was turned over to the National Park service. Also here is the Pearson Air Museum which is pretty cool too!
There are large parks to scout around in here which made our little dog ecstatic and was probably the best part of the trip for her. There is also a visitor center, reenactments of the calvary and life at the fort.
The visitor center, The Pearson Air Museum, parking and strolling around and such is free to the public. If you want to go inside the fort that is five dollars and in there no pets are allowed inside.
A stop to make if you are ever in the vicinity!

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is another great place where my friend visiting from Korea and I went while he was visiting. I have been here probably around 5 times as a history buff but this time it was great to introduce him to the story of the British in North America. We do not have a lot of British history on the west coast of the United States so this is a good place to get your dose for any visitor to the Pacific Northwest.
Fort Vancouver NHS looks like a stereotype of a typical frontier American Army fort but it was originally a commercial fort of the British Hudson Bay Company. The reconstructed fort is representative of this fort’s time during the fur trade era under the time of the Hudson Bay Company. The U.S. Army arrived in 1849 and established a post just to the north of the British HBC fort and they also called their military post Fort Vancouver for several years, from 1853 to 1879. In 1879, the name of the military post changed to Vancouver Barracks, the name by which it is known today. You can see the Vancouver Barracks immediately north of the fort. The whole area is full of history.
Fort Vancouver NHS hosts demonstrations in the blacksmith shop, bake house, house kitchen and the carpenter shop. These demonstrations can help to connect you to the lives of people from the 1840s and also will give you the chance to ask questions. There are also historic weapons programs where they demonstrate small arms, swivel guns and howitzers that span the fur trade and nineteenth century. Staff wear period reproduction clothing and interaction with them help to connect us to past people and practices. These demonstrations attempt to provide interpretive and educational experiences for both kids and adults.
Fort Vancouver is a rich archaeological site and the buildings that have been reconstructed help bring the site back to life. All of the reconstructions are based on archaeological evidence and historical research. The following buildings have been reconstructed in the fort…
— Jail
— Carpenter shop
— Belfry
— Counting house
— Bastion
— Fur store
— Flagpole
— Trade shop, dispensary and Barclay quarters
— Blacksmith shop
— Privies
— Well #2
— Bake house
— Wash house
— Kitchen
— Chief Factor’s house
Not all of the original buildings of the fort have been reconstructed but all of the buildings that have been are in their original locations.
There is an entrance fee to enter the reconstructed fort site. The entrance fee for adults is $ 5.00 a person and the receipt is valid for seven days. It is free for those 15 years or younger. The Pearson Air Museum, which is a part of the NHS is free to enter for all ages.
The 2015 – 2016 Winter Hours of Operation are from November 1, 2015 to March 13, 2016. The facilities at Fort Vancouver NHS, including the reconstructed fort, Pearson Air Museum, and the Visitor Center, will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 am to 5 pm, and closed Sundays and Mondays.
I recommend a visit here if you are taking a trip to Vancouver, Washington or Portland Oregon. It is a great piece of history and a great place for photos if you’re a photographer. I also think it is a great place to take anyone visiting from overseas.

«Hudson’s Bay Company History was so Interesting «
My wife and I visited Fort Vancouver in Vancouver Washington last week, and had a very educational experience. We were met by a National Park Service guide after we walked through the beautiful farming and plant garden in front of Fort Vancouver. After a short explanation of what we were going to see on the tour, we were then taken to the Chief Factor’s residence, and witness where the clerks and officers ate their meals in a giant mess hall. After touring the rest of the living quarters, we walked over to the Fur Warehouse where the guide told us all about the multiple animal pelts that were collected back in the 19^th century. The guide also showed, and let us feel samples of all the different animal furs. It was so interesting to hear how the Fur trade back in history, was so important to the United States and Britain. Fort Vancouver is a must see if you are anywhere near Vancouver Washington. A Great Educational and Historical experience.

I was born and raised my entire life in Vancouver WA and will always love Fort Vancouver. I remember going on multiple field trips here and just being in awe of how we have been able to preserve this little piece of history! Everybody needs to visit at least once!

Watch and learn about the history not only of the Fort, but of the surrounding area. See what the residents of the Fort did when the Indians came in to trade their goods. Why is 90 pounds such an important number to the traders?
Come walk back in history, you won’t regret it.

Fort Vancouver was established in 1948. It was a well-​known fur outpost in the 19^th century. Today you can visit a fully restored replica of the fort. You can visit the main house, prison, woodworking area, stables, prison, and more. To make the experience more authentic there are park workers dressed in period costumes and they act the part of the people that were living at that time. To further enhance your experience you can participate in events such as lamplight tours or reenactments. All of these experiences are well suited to entertain children and trick them into learning.

A nicely maintained, rustic structure of a bygone era.
But enough about me, yes?
I urge you to visit their website if you are considering visiting here.
There are events featuring period costumed reenactors, lamplight tours, War of Secession reenactments, guided tours and kid’s events that can be found on their website.
This is a must-​see for kids. I can’t begin to think of another venue that can reveal this period of history in such a manner.
Don’t forget to pop into the museum.

The fourth star is for it being free today (Martin Luther King Day). Damn decent of them.
Among the buildings that have been reconstructed are the prison, scrivener’s place, stables, woodworking area, bakers, main house, and a few that I am forgetting. And the big bell, which kids joyfully and repeatedly ring. Man, they never seem to get sick of it.
The explanatory bits were good, and the artifacts on display made me miss my archaeology days. It’s definitely worth a visit the next time one is in Vancouver and at a loss at what to do.

We came across this location by accident. 3. To enter the fort was well worth it. Almost all the displays with inside the walls were active woth reenactors. We were also told that the museum within walking distance was also free so we attended that location too. It was very much worth the trip enjoyable few hours in the location

Worth checking once if driving between Seattle and Portland. It’s right off the freeway and easy to get to. Didn’t realize how much I forgot about the history of this area until speaking with one of the helpful Park Rangers. There is a nice garden outside the fort entrance. The garden considers of food grown from that time period, fur trappers, Oregon trail, Lewis and Clark, etc. A half hour to one hour visit was all I had time for, I felt like I got the big picture.

Luckily I had checked the website for events and found Campfires and Candlelight going on last night! We arrived shortly before the Fort opened and toured the numerous tents set up representing different eras in military history. The volunteers were definitely knowledgable and made it a pleasant experience.
We went into the Fort thereafter and enjoyed entering each of the buildings to find 99% occupied by period dressed volunteers. Oh, and these volunteers stay in character! Many people tried to get them to get out of character, but kudos to them for playing the part!
We definitely enjoyed the entire event and look forward to visiting the Fort again should we come back this way!

I surprised by the size of the fort on a recent visit, it’s such a large park like area. With pretty houses and lots of old trees and a playground for the kids. I was able to walk our dogs on the large park like grounds and through the garden in the front of the fort. Dogs are not allowed in the fort or gift shop or buildings. Overall had a really enjoyable visit and would be happy to return in the future.

Came about 2 hours before closing so I had to rush through, but definitely wish I could have spend more time here (and gone to the Land Bridge too!)
There’s a variety of things to see here: Officer’s Row (³⁄₅), Pearson Air Museum (⁵⁄₅), parts of the Fort (I didn’t make it into the interior of the Fort), the Land Bridge and the Visitor Center. Easily could spend a day here walking to and fro, enjoying the historic site.

Fort Vancouver is neat place to visit. It is a huge site when you drive in, so even with some small lots being filled, you can find a nearby lot. Lots of military history has taken place at the fort. Larger the life people like Ulysses S. Grant and George Marshall have been stationed there.
Much of the parts near the entrance just contain some old homes that are supposed to demonstrate what living in the 19^th century was like. Remember kids, there were no iPhones. We get that and we got that at the thousands of pioneer themed places in Oregon. But some of the homes are very interesting and one includes old coats that won’t fit on the fat people of today.
If you go by the officer’s row it can be interesting. Various mansions can be explored. They each have lots of history including paintings of the officers.
The gift shop is somewhat interesting with some local foods, but it can be overpriced.
The whole fort is an intuitive, interactive piece of history. The natural beauty and nature can sometimes be very special it of itself.
Fort Vancouver is a good way to spend a morning.

This is a pretty cool little historic site/​park. I ended up rolling in with less than an hour to explore and since I was passing through I thought I would try to see all that I could in the time given. It was worth the stop! Lots of history, quite a bit to look at (including a working lab!), beautiful grounds and was neat and organized. Right outside the edge of the property there is a bridge that passes over a freeway bringing you to the river where even more fun is to be had. If you’re looking to soak in a little history and step back in time for a bit Fort Vancouver is your spot. I have to say I learned quite a bit about the area in the little time I spent here, what more can you ask for?

There is a quiet noble grace about this historic landmark; it’s evident in the precisely manicured grounds, as well as the maintenance on Ft. Vancouver itself. It was a British outpost at the end of the Oregon Trail and the place where settlers would obtain supplies to begin their lives in the area.
Take the time to walk the facility, and especially the «Officers Row» street that has the homes where the offers lived. The street is shaded with a beautiful canopy of trees that line the length of the path. If you’re a local, you already know that this is a great runners path, with a gorgeous view of the parade grounds.
Get yourself there, learn about the important role the fort played in our history, and dig on the beauty around you.

If you are here with visitors I would recommend trying to visit on a day with mild weather.
However, we came on an unusually hot day in the afternoon, and it was too hot to really be outside for long since the sun was beating down on us.
We did a little walking at Officer’s Row; the trees provide plenty of shade so our stroll was nice. We walked around the gardens of the fort and eventually into the fort. We paid $ 3 to go inside but ended up leaving after only going into one building as it was too hot for us all to walk around.
Overall, this site is really nice, and the ground are well kept. It seems like a nice place to go for a picnic out on the huge field where there is a gazebo.

Sehr interessante, geschichtsträchtige Location.
Der Besuch des Forts und der umliegenden Wohngebäude ist einen Ausflug bzw. Zwischenstopp wert. Insbesondere der Hausbesuch bei General Marshall hat uns sehr gut gefallen; wir wurden von der Hausdame über die Historie gut informiert.

What consistently blows me away is the sheer amount of people in Vancouver and Portland that do not fully comprehend the historical significance of Fort Vancouver, and more than that appreciate the effort that the Trust has put into keeping it intact and maintain realism. So many facets to this place and so many ways to enjoy yourself.
You can, if you choose, get married at the Marshall House (I did!), tour a replica of the actual Fort Vancouver, see the workings of the old Army base, visit your Congressperson at the O.O. Howard House or U.S. Senator in the Marshall House, visit scores of professionals who rent space on Officers Row, eat dinner at the Grant House where the chef uses herbs out of their own herb garden, enjoy a period baseball game from 1880, enjoy fireworks on the 4^th of July, visit a National Park (the Trust is one), see aviation history, attend a parade, buy unique items at a variety of gift shops, lantern tours of Fort, Christmas celebration all over the Fort, Airport and Base or rent space for any kind of party, wedding, fund raiser or event. And I haven’t even covered everything you could do!
The grounds are serene and ripe for walking, as you travel the same paths of Ulysses S Grant, General George Marshall, General O.O. Howard or thousands of soldiers; you can feel the history rise up and envelope you. From the artillery barracks to the officer housing to the parade grounds and down to the air field that has seen so much history you can lose yourself in the significance of the grounds and the history that has passed over it.
You have to remember, long before there was a Portland there was a Fort Vancouver. Long before there was shipping on the river there were fur traders selling their pelts at the Fort and looking across the river to what is now Jantzen Beach (then called Image Island) and watching the native Americans living on it. While I am sure the confluence of rivers would eventually have made Portland what it is today, it was Vancouver where it all started, and it is all still here for you to explore.

What a pleasant surprise during our day trip to Vancouver. I always imagined Fort Vancouver was going to be a great west military outpost, largely due to the fact that an army base now surrounds the site. But, the historic fort was actually a British outpost and Oregon headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company. As settlers made the migration west, it was the end of the Oregon Trail and the place where they would obtain supplies to start their lives in Oregon.
The next surprise was the low $ 5 admission fee for the entire family. The place is quite stark in the winter months, but what brings the fort to life are the volunteers who occupy the different buildings and describe what daily life was like for settlers to the region. You can eat bread from the kitchen, touch Beaver pelts in the Indian Trade Shop and Dispensary and see some woodworking in the Carpenter Shop. To be honest, the kids weren’t necessary wow’d by all of this, but I found it interesting and for $ 5, you really don’t mind seeing it at the pace they dictate.
I’ve always enjoyed Oregon Trail stories and this is yet another place that makes you appreciate all that we have and all that was sacrificed by those that came before us. They have many special events and classes throughout the year, so next time, I’m going to plan a visit when there is a bit more going on so history can come alive for the kids.