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Contact: Kimm Fox-Middleton, 360-816-6243 Contact: Visitor Center Information Desk, 360-816-6230
POPULAR FORT VANCOUVER LANTERN TOURS SCHEDULED TO RESUME IN JANUARY 2007 AFTER SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL SEASON VANCOUVER, WA -In response to overwhelming public demand, the National Park Service is pleased to announce that the evening Fort Vancouver Lantern Tours will be resuming in January 2007 after a successful inaugural season last winter. In 2007, Lantern Tours will be offered twice in January (Friday, January 5 and Saturday, January 20) and twice in February (Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 17) from 7:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. at the reconstructed fort at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. "We were stunned at the response we had for this new program," exclaimed Kimm Fox-Middleton, the park’s Special Events Program Manager. "The Lantern Tour was a new program for Fort Vancouver last winter and one that visitors were very much interested in attending." As past event participants can attest, the fort is a very different place once the sun goes down, and the lantern tour is a wonderful opportunity to tour the fort at night. At each event, each adult attending the program will carry their own candle lantern and tour with park staff through some of the fort’s most intriguing buildings, including the Counting House, Fur Store, Kitchen, Chief Factor’s House and Bake House. Led by a park ranger in Hudson’s Bay Company attire, visitors will see first hand what it was like to live at the fort when the sun goes down. At the end of the tour, visitors will enjoy a hot cup of cider while having a chance to ask questions about the site. "The response to this new event last winter greatly exceeded our expectations," noted Greg Shine, the site’s Chief Ranger and Historian. "Fort Vancouver has a number of untapped opportunities to share its many layers of history with the public. The surprising success of the Lantern Tour shows us that there is interest in learning about Fort Vancouver in new ways. We are continuing to develop new programs and put exciting new twists on existing programs to make the site as relevant as possible to a public with an increasing variety of interests." For further information about these tours and to make a reservation please call the Visitor Center at 360.816.6230. What: Lantern Tours at Fort Vancouver When: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on four dates in 2007: Friday January 5; Saturday, January 20; Friday, February 2; and Saturday, February 17. Where: Reconstructed fort at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 E. Fifth St. How Much: $10 adults and $7 children. Cash only; please bring exact change. How to Reserve: Reservations are required; please phone 360-816-6230 to make a reservation. Lantern Tour Questions & Answers 1. What is a Lantern Tour? The Lantern Tour is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Fort at night. Each adult attending the program will carry their own candle lantern and tour with a Park Ranger through the Counting House, Fur Store, Chief Factors House and Kitchen, and/or Bake House. You will learn what activities would have occurred during the evening hours at Fort Vancouver and enjoy a cup of hot cider at the end of the tour. 2. How long is the tour? The tour is approximately one hour long, with time afterwards for questions. 3. How much does the Lantern Tour cost? The price is $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for children 15 years and under, to be paid at the time of the tour. 4. Will my National Park Pass cover the Lantern Tour Fee? National Park Passes cover entrance fees only. All other fees for programs are paid separately. 5. Where do we meet for the tour? The tours will begin inside the palisade gate at 7pm. There will be a line of lit lanterns to guide you from the parking lot to the Fort. 6. Are children permitted on the Lantern Tours? Children are permitted. The Lantern Tour would be best enjoyed by children 10 years and older. 7. May children carry a lantern? Due to safety reasons, only adults and children 15 years and older may carry a lantern. 8. What do I wear on the tour? We recommend that you wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing for inclement weather. The tour will go as scheduled even with rain. 9. How do I make a reservation? What if we need to cancel or make changes to my reservation? Visitors may make reservations by calling the visitor center, 360.816.6230. If you need to make any changes to your reservation, please call between 9-4pm or leave a message if calling after hours. You may make changes up until 4pm on the actual date of the Tour. 10. What if the tours are full? Reservations may be taken for up to 50 people, with 25 people per tour. Once full, your name will be added to the waiting list. When there is an opening, the first person on the waiting list will be notified that they may make a reservation. If there is an opening you given one day to make the reservation. Background: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is at 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. -NPS- |
Last updated: December 13, 2017