Brigade Encampment
Aug 7-8, 2010
11am to 5pm
Journey back to the year 1855 when the Fur Brigades from east of the Cascades camped at Fort Nisqually.
Over 100 volunteers will recreate the arrival of the 1855 fur brigades to this Hudson's Bay Company post. The camp brings the sights and sounds of early Washington Territory back to life. Enjoy entertainment ranging from Fur Trappers' Races to an elegant ladies' tea, from dancing to the music of bagpipes, and much, much more.
Brigade Encampment has something for the whole family including the popular "Engagé for the Day" program and Kids' Alley where visitors may participate in hands-on presentations. Upon learning new skills, such as firestarting with flint and steel, blacksmithing, or spinning wool, visitors can sign on as an honorary apprentice for the day with the Hudson's Bay Company!
All buildings will be open and re-enactors in 1850s attire will be waiting to share their knowledge and skills with you.
A must-see while at the fort is the new temporary exhibit, Lock, Stock and Barrel: Fort Nisqually's Trade Guns. The Hudson's Bay Company imported guns to forts in the Pacific Northwest for sale or trade. These guns were primarily used for hunting and are commonly referred to as "Northwest Trade Guns". At this exhibit, which opens August 7 and runs through November 28, several fine examples of these guns will be on display.
On August 7th and 8th, during the fort’s “Brigade Encampment” event, this exhibit will feature a significant artifact from Washington State’s history, a pistol originally owned by Chief Leschi.
A prominent figure in the Puget Sound Indian War of 1855-56, Chief Leschi was convicted of murder and executed in 1858. Even at the time, his execution was widely seen as a miscarriage of justice. In recent years a re-creation of his trial with a modern jury exonerated Leschi. Just before being taken into custody, Leschi gave his pistol to a friend, “Tyee Dick”. The pistol descended through a local family with both Native and fur trade connections and has not been publicly displayed in many years. Fort Nisqually is proud to host this special exhibit featuring this significant artifact from Washington State’s history.
Located in Tacoma's Point Defiance Park, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum is a restoration of the Hudson's Bay Company outpost on the Puget Sound where visitors can journey back in time to the mid-nineteenth century.
Admission:
$8/adults
$7/seniors, military, students
$5/Ages 13-17
$4/Ages 4-12
For additional information, please contact Fort Nisqually at (253) 591-5339 or fortnisqually@tacomaparks.com
Last Updated: Jul 21, 2010 3:22 PM