Post by: Adam Wetherington on August 19, 2012, 11:03:46 PM
I was pleased at what I saw. I thought the whole place had the right "vibe" if you you know what I mean... and the interpreters were VERY friendly and a few almost chased you down to talk to you, LOL!!
That sure is a gorgeous park it's in too!
Post by: huntinguy on August 20, 2012, 02:34:21 AM
Quote from: "blackpowderscout"
Went and checked out Fort Nisqually today. I had the day off and decided to go since I probably won't have the chance to check out a fur trade site again any time soon.
I was pleased at what I saw. I thought the whole place had the right "vibe" if you you know what I mean... and the interpreters were VERY friendly and a few almost chased you down to talk to you, LOL!!
That sure is a gorgeous park it's in too!
I assume you mean the one at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.
Ya, it is a nice place. They have been doing a lot of work to make it more like it would have been. Some year back it looked more like a Hollywood fort.
Last time I was there they were still building the ovens.
If, memory serves correctly in the fall they make the fort come alive. It is a complete historical reenactment. I have always wanted to go to that but time has never been available.
Post by: ManyVoices on August 20, 2012, 12:04:37 PM
The October events are Candlelight Tour - evening event where the Fort's lit only by candlelight & firelight. Reenactors are going through a usual evening in 1855 (or some years 1957 or '59), don't chat with the visitors. For them, it's like they're eavesdropping in on the past. Friday & Saturday before Hallowe'en brings ghost stories around a roaring bonfire at "Bonfires, Beaver Pelts & Bogeymen".
For more information on these and other events, check out http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/fort-events (http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/fort-events)
Post by: huntinguy on August 21, 2012, 03:30:30 AM
I will have to put the candlelight tour on my calender and see if I can make it this year.
maybe I can get some nice person to remind me for the Brigade encampment next year... (hint, hint.)
Post by: greggholmes on August 21, 2012, 08:17:20 AM
Post by: Adam Wetherington on August 21, 2012, 09:09:42 AM
Post by: huntinguy on August 21, 2012, 01:26:40 PM
Quote from: "greggholmes"
How long have they been doing this there? (That doesnt sound right). I moved out of the south end in '02 and i hadnt heard of it.
I think it has been one of the best kept secrets in Washington (well, that can be discussed on this forum :shock:
(now manyvoices is going to know how long I have been forgetting to go...
)
Post by: ManyVoices on August 21, 2012, 03:49:08 PM
Anyway, they've been focusing on what the fur trade of the PNW was really like for 30ish years now, but they've really been improving in the last 15-20. I've been involved with the Fort for 19+ years now. We're coming up on the 18th (!) Bonfire this year, and I've been part of that since the beginning. Candlelight's older than that. And, I do believe Brigade's even older. But that, too, has improved a lot over the years. Still have images from a video of an early Brigade seared onto my mind - seems the photographer was more than a bit interested in a lady who was wearing what we now refer to as the "infamous buckskin bikini". A buckskin skirt, with a top that was made of 2 leather triangles that, um, well, let's say it was not sufficient yardage for the acreage. :shock: Every living history site has more than a bit of room for improvement (especially as more bits of the past come to light with more research), but Nisqually's come a l-o-n-g way from that video!!!
And, huntinguy, trust me, you're not the only one that's had Nisqually on a long to-do list for quite a while! Matter of fact, I've got such a list myself
Post by: mike on October 26, 2012, 03:04:00 PM
Post by: Javathehut on May 17, 2014, 10:41:50 PM
We went to the first 5 rondes. By then it was outside the fort.
Post by: Fletcher on May 19, 2014, 11:37:25 AM
Has many a tale and adventure - and like a lot of us is pushing 70 and getting pretty tired.
I only hope there is some new blood coming in many of the crafts that seem to be fading out.
Hard to compete with this high speed information age - but I truly believe that life it better lived in the
real, rather than the virtual. I hope Ft. Nisqually will continue to grow. If you are in the area please
support it.