Fort Nisqually offers educational programs for all ages and group sizes (10-60).  Larger groups can be accommodated in back to back tours.

Please call Fort Nisqually at 253-591-5339 for detailed information and fees

Preschool and Primary Group Tours
Come join Wally Nisqually, our friendly beaver mascot, as we discover the fun of Hands-On History.  These guided tours of Fort Nisqually Living History Museum are offered to preschoolers from age 4 through third grade.  Watch the past come alive for your students as they experience life in 1855 with visits to our historic buildings, stories, songs, and time to make a trade bead bracelet. 

3rd Grade and Beyond
Guided tours are offered to groups year-round for third grade and beyond.  Starting in the trade store, interpreters will teach your students about the history of Fort Nisqually as part of a global fur trade business.  Next, students will visit our other historic buildings where the focus is on daily life of Fort Nisqually's 19th century employees and their families.

Home School Tours
Guided tours are offered to Home School groups year-round for preschool through high school. Tours can be geared towards younger or older students and with large groups they may be separated by age.  Starting in the trade store, interpreters will teach your students about the history of Fort Nisqually as part of a global fur trade business.  Next, students will visit our other historic buildings where the focus is on daily life of Fort Nisqually's 19th century employees and their families.

Specialty Tours
Guided tours are offered for groups intereseted in special subject matter, Native American, Women's issues, WPA etc. For adult and senior groups, women's groups, scouts and school groups.

Ready, Cassette, Go...
A laborer for the Hudson's Bay Company is traveling down the Columbia River by canoe.  He is en route to Fort Nisqually, the Company's trading post on the Puget Sound.  Our traveler has with him a small wooden carrying case called a cassette that contains his personal belongings.  Look inside this cassette and unlock the story of the Fur Trade in the Northwest.

Summer Camp 2009 dates 
Fort Nisqually offers day camp programs to children from 1st to 8th grade.

 Kit Camp
grades 1st - 3rd     June 30 - July 2 

History Through the Arts 
grades 4th - 5th     July 28 - 31

Camp Fort Nisqually   
grades 6th - 8th     July 13 - 17

High School Apprentice Interpreter
The Apprentice Interpreter program, beginning in January of each year, is a hands-on learning program that incorporates re-enactor skills and the learning of trades as part of a comprehensive training program that allows high school students the opportunity to enhance their 19th century skills in order to share these with the public.  This involves both learning and leading as part of the program and includes volunteering at Fort Nisqually as an integral part of the learning experience. 

Now Open!

Fort Nisqually's research library has a wealth of resources, mostly devoted to the history of the fort and the Hudson's Bay Company.  It is open Thursday afternoons between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. or by appointment.