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Contact: John Salisbury, 503-656-5151 Contact: Tracy Hill, 503-656-5146
OREGON CITY,OR - The National Park Service at announces the re-opening of the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site after its annual winter closure on Thursday, February 11, 2010. In addition, the site will be featuring a celebration of Oregon's birthday on Sunday, February 14 from noon to 4:00 pm. “We will be celebrating Oregon’s 151st birthday as a state on Sunday, February 14,” noted John Salisbury, park guide. “We hope that folks will join us, and enjoy an outing to explore our state’s heritage.” Scheduled activities include a cultural demonstration from noon to 4:00 pm featuring the fine art of netting. The McLoughlin House was the home of Dr. John McLoughlin, who is known as the “Father of Oregon” for his aid to the American settlers who came across the Oregon Trail. He was the Chief Factor at Fort Vancouver, the headquarters for the Hudson’s Bay Company’s extensive fur trading operations in the Northwest. “The McLoughlin House is a special historical treasure,” explained Greg Shine, chief ranger & historian. “It is one of very few surviving homes from the 1840s, and the collection includes many items that belonged to the McLoughlin family and the Hudson’s Bay Company.” The McLoughlin House is located at 713 Center Street, Oregon City, Oregon. It is open for guided tours Wednesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. All tours and events are free of charge, and they are suitable for all ages.
BACKGROUND: The McLoughlin House was added to the National Park System in 2003 as a unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The house is restored to honor the life and accomplishments of John McLoughlin, the "Father of Oregon." The graves of McLoughlin and his wife Marguerite are next to the house, as is the home of Dr. Forbes Barclay, a Hudson's Bay Company associate, and his wife Maria. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is the heart of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The Vancouver National Historic Reserve brings together a national park, a premier archaeological site, the region's first military post, an international fur trade emporium, one of the oldest operating airfields, the first national historic site west of the Mississippi river, and a waterfront trail and environmental center on the banks of the Columbia River. The partners of the Reserve teach visitors about the fur trade, early military life, natural history, and pioneers in aviation, all within the context of Vancouver's role in regional and national development. The Reserve's vast array of public programs -- including living history events, festivals, cultural demonstrations, exhibits, active archaeology, and other special activities -- create a dynamic, fun, and unique tourist destination for people of all ages. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015