Fort Vancouver Events
Fort info: 360.816.6230
Exciting and educational events, historical re-enactments and cultural demonstrations happen every week at Fort Vancouver National Site. Below are some of our recurring events. Click to see the full event calendar.
July 5th-September 7th: Summer Programs
Fast Facts at Fort Vancouver
Daily
An introductory talk for visitors on-the-go. Talks discuss Fort Vancouver's past, why it is considered nationally significant and why it operates as a unit of the National Park System.
Beyond the Fur Trade
Daily
The fort has many untold stories that go beyond the fur trade. Discover the rich history of the area that is now a historic site.
Digging Deeper into History
Daily
Join a Ranger as you tour the buildings and grounds of Fort Vancouver. Finding out how the pieces of the Fort Vancouver puzzle hidden for so many years were put together to reconstruct the buildings and lives of the residents for visitors to enjoy today.
Apples to Zinnias: Agriculture at the Fort
Monday-Friday
The original garden at Fort Vancouver covered approximately 6 to 8 acres and was both a vegetable garden and a formal flower garden. And the Hudson's Bay Company large agricultural industry provided much to the area, find out more about fort's agricultural history.
Roving Ranger
Daily
Interested in finding out more about the Historic Reserve, look for the Park Ranger roving the Land Bridge, Parade Ground, Officers Row, and Vancouver Barracks.
An Evening at Officers Row
Friday
Join costumed staff and volunteers in traditional evening activity along Officers Row.
Northwest National Park Family Day
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Visitor Center at 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd.
Fort Vancouver National Site is the gateway to the Pacific Northwest national parks and is the only national park in the Portland/Vancouver metro area. Family Day participants can meet park rangers from many Northwest national parks, learn about park wildlife and natural and cultural history.
Memorial Day 1860s Cannon Salute
Date: Monday, May 25, 1 p.m.
Location: Parade Ground across from Howard House.
Memorial Day was established to honor American soldiers who gave their lives in battle. A military salute of arms is a tradition. Come view this 1860s weapons salute.
Brigade Encampment
Date: Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: North of Fort Vancouver.
Join us as the brigades of fur trappers return to Fort Vancouver. They will share their stories of adventure and life in the wilds with friends they haven't seen in almost a year.
Soldiers Bivouac: 160th Anniversary of the U.S. Army at Vancouver Barracks
Date: Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Parade Ground.
Explore the camps of soldiers from Vancouver Barracks' past and present. Visitors will see what life was like in the military from a soldier's point of view.
1860s Vintage Base Ball Match Game
Saturday, July 18, 6 p.m. and Saturday, August 15, 6 p.m.
Location: Parade Ground.
This gloveless game with wooden bats is played by very different rules. Bring a picnic and watch a recreated game played by the 1860s rules. The 1st Oregon Volunteers will play the Vancouver town team, the Occidentals, ladies and girls will be dressed in 1860s dresses and a band will play old-time music. Come and cheer for your favorite team, but beware: the umpire can fine the audience for "ungentlemanly" or "unladylike" behavior.
Labor Day Historic Weapons: Important Tools of the Past
Date: Monday, September 7, 1:30 p.m.
Location: Parade Ground.
The soldiers of the US Army used black powder weapons for sport and for military purposes. Join park rangers and volunteers as they explain the role of various weapons used by the soldiers at Vancouver Barracks.
Campfires and Candlelight
Date: Saturday, September 12, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Begin at Pearson Air Museum, walk toward Fort Vancouver.
Stroll back in time and experience the night life of U.S. Army soldiers, Oregon Trail immigrants and the residents of Fort Vancouver and the Village.
Tales of the Engage'
Date: Saturday, October 10, 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m.
Location: Fort Vancouver.
Step back in time with a campfire program of the 1840s. Join the Engage's of the Hudson's Bay Company as they share their stories of life at Fort Vancouver. The one-hour program takes place just outside the Fort stockade.
Lantern Tours
Dates: Occasional Saturday Nights in the fall and winter. See upcoming tours. Location: Fort Vancouver Join this opportunity to tour the Fort at night. Each adult attending with carry their own lantern and tour with a Park Ranger through the Fur Store, Counting House and Bake House to see what activities would have occurred once the sun set at Fort Vancouver. The 90-minute tour begins at the gate in front of the Fort.
Christmas at Fort Vancouver
Experience first-hand the traditional festivities – the sights, smells and sounds of the holiday season inside Fort Vancouver. This fun-filled event only takes place once a year. Check the calendar now.
Fort Info
360.816.6230
1501 E. Evergreen Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98661
