• The calm, inviting waters of the Spokane Arm. Photo Credit: NPS\LARO\John Salisbury

    Lake Roosevelt

    National Recreation Area Washington

The Fur Trade

David Thompson

David Thompson: Fur trader, map-maker, explorer

Program Overview:
Your students will be delighted, as well as informed, when a NPS ranger comes to your classroom and delivers an interactive, prop-heavy, and relatable talk about a historic event of profound consequence for our region: the fur trade! We will explore topics such as David Thompson, local tribes, the barter system, Kettle Falls, and voyageurs. In easy to understand terms, discover how all of these things shaped the history of our area. This is an interactive program, students will be able to see up-close and handle actual animal pelts, a beaver felt-hat, trade goods, and some will even be able to wear the costume of a voyageur or fur trader!

EALR 1 1.1.1 Understands the key ideals of unity and diversity.

Grades: 1st - 8th
Group Size: 8-60 students
Program Length: 45 mins - 1 hour
Program Dates: September - early November; late April - June


Use the reservation form to arrange a program or contact our education specialist for more information.

Did You Know?

Wild hyacinth is also known as the douglas brodaia

The pretty violet flowers of this wild hyacinth grows at Lake Roosevelt. An important food source, its small but sweet onion bulb is still popular. Covered by a fibrous netting called a corm net, excavated and carbon dated corm nets established that people lived at Kettle Falls 9,500 years ago.