Partners

Friends of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

The mission of the Friends of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is to cooperate with the National Park Service and partners to help coordinate and support volunteer activities in accomplishing educational, interpretive, conservation, research, planning and improvement projects and programs for the benefit of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The Friends works closely with NPS staff and volunteers to sponsor events such as the 1940's-Style Sweetheart Hangar Dance at Pearson Air Museum and 1860s Vintage Base Ball, and looks forward to supporting future activities throughout the site. They will also serve as the park's cooperating association and operate the Bookstore in the visitor center.

Education & Programmatic Partnerships

The park partners on education programming with Confluence, a non-profit organization located within the national park at the historic Pearson Headquarters Building, that connects people to place through art and education. They work in collaboration with Northwest communities, tribes and renowned artist Maya Lin to create reflective moments that can shape the future of the Columbia River system. They share stories of this river through six public art installations, educational programs, community engagement and a rich digital experience. Their six projects span 438 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River to the gateway to Hell's Canyon, with sites in both Oregon and Washington, and include the Land Bridge that connect's the national park's Village and Columbia River waterfront.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site has a partnership with the Department of Anthropology and the Department of History at Portland State University that engages National Park Service subject matter experts as adjunct faculty members to instruct students in relevant coursework, including the popular annual Public Archaeology Field School and the biennial Public History Field School.

The park partners with the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC) on events such as the annual Memorial Day Celebration and protocols and responsibilities at the Clark County Veterans Memorial, located within the national park.

The Washington State Historical Society supports educational programs at the park, made possibly by the James B. Castles Endowment of the Washington State Historical Society. These programs focus on the natural and cultural history of Southwest Washington and the Lower Columbia River area, and over the years have included summer camps, workshops, specialized field trips, and lectures.

The McLoughlin Memorial Association (MMA), one of the longest-operating historic preservation non-profit organizations in the Pacific Northwest, is a park partner that supports operations and activities at the park's McLoughlin House Unit in Oregon City, Oregon. The MMA hosts events including the annual MMA Founder's Day, helps recruit docents, operates a bookstore in the Barclay House, and provides financial support for programs and operations at the site.

Legislated Partnerships

At the Vancouver National Historic Reserve, the National Park Service is a legislated partner and works in concert with the City of Vancouver, the State of Washington, and the United States Army.

The 366-acre Reserve was established in 1966 (Public Law 104-333, Section 502). Though not a unit of the National Park System, it is an affiliated area, making the Reserve eligible for technical and financial aid from the National Park Service. Congress gave national status to the area when it established the Reserve. As part of a public/private partnership, Congress historically provided support to the Reserve through annual appropriations that match other public and private funds. A cooperative agreement signed by the Reserve Partners provides for specific funding and program support for various Reserve functions.

The National Park Service is the lead Reserve Partner for interpretation, education, and cultural resource protection. Leadership in these areas provides an important contribution in fulfilling the goals of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Cooperative Management Plan.

 

The Fund for People in the Parks

The Fund for People in Parks is an official philanthropic partner of the National Park Service. The Fund provides professional services to complete inspirational projects that enhance the visitor experience in western National Parks. The Fund works closely with park staff and local support groups to bring private philanthropic support to projects that might not otherwise be funded. The Fund has provided grants for several projects at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, including purchase of new military reenactment uniforms, upgrades to a popular picnic shelter, and reconstruction of the carriages for the British Naval cannons at the fort.