Fort Nisqually

[Adam Wetherington]

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!

[huntinguy]

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.

[ManyVoices]

They have, indeed, made a lot of improvements to Fort Nisqually!  Glad you enjoyed it, Huntinguy.  It's one of my favorite historic sites to "play" at.  They have a lot of fun events, too.  You just missed one of the biggest annual gigs - Brigade Encampment.  That's always the 2nd full weekend in August.  This year was one of the largest in years - well over 40 camps set up.  

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

[huntinguy]

Manyvoices: Yep, those are the two I have always wanted to go to.

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.)

[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.

[Adam Wetherington]

The blacksmith said he'd been there something like 30 years...

[huntinguy]

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...   )

[ManyVoices]

Getting publicity out is always a challenge.  As for how long the Fort's been there - the long history is that the HBC founded Fort Nisqually in 1833, but that was down in what's now DuPont.  The granary & the Factor's house were brought up to Point Defiance in the 1930s (Tacoma Young Men's Club & the WPA).  I've seen photos from back then - an odd combination of Betsy Ross & Dan'l Boone shooting at the Indians - yikes!

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  

[mike]

If memory serves me right Candlelight started in '86 and Brigade Encampment was about 3 or 4 years before that.

[Javathehut]

Fort Nisqually was the first or second ronde I ever went to. It was either 82 or 83, it was there first one, it was actually held inside the fort. What a great bunch of people.  The next year I brought my young son, he was about 5yrs. Thay had adult and kid games going on all the time. I was teaching visitors how to throw a hawk, my son wanted to throw his rubber knife, everyone said we'll wait, let him throw.  I put him about 10-15 ft from the target and let him go.  I swear, on his first throw he stuck it in a previous hawk cut and it stuck.   Everyone went wild with clapping and cheering. It was Great.
 We went to the first 5 rondes. By then it was outside the fort.

[Fletcher]

If the Blacksmith is 'Scouter' - yes he has been at it a long time.  One of the best and a good friend.
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.