Lantern Tour: An Evening at the Fort
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for children 15 years and under. Reservations for the 2017-18 Lantern Tour: An Evening at the Fort series will open in fall of 2017.
The "Lantern Tour: An Evening at the Fort" is a wonderful opportunity to experience the reconstructed Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver at night. As in past years, each adult attending the program will carry their own candle lantern and tour with a Park Ranger through the reconstructed fort's Counting House, Fur Store, Chief Factor's House, Kitchen, and Bake House.
In each building, visitors will experience historical vignettes with costumed living history interpreters, including graduates of the park's Youth Volunteer Programs. Visitors 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. These tours meet at the entrance gate to the reconstructed Fort Vancouver, 1001 E. Fifth St. All tours start at 7:00 p.m.
"The reconstructed Fort Vancouver in the evening is quite an experience, with candlelit buildings, interpreters in historical costume, and each visitor with their own lantern walking under the night sky," said Park Guide Justine Hanrahan, program coordinator. "When the sun goes down and the city is quiet, visitors are transported to the 1840's."
Lantern Tour: Walking Vancouver Barracks
Cost: $10 for adults and $7 for children 15 years and under. Reservations for the 2017-18 Lantern Tour: Walking Vancouver Barracks series will open in fall of 2017.
Titled "Lantern Tour: Walking Vancouver Barracks," these new ranger-led programs will walk visitors through the grounds of Vancouver Barracks by lantern light, connecting attendees to the national park's military history through thematic storytelling.
These tours will be small in size, and each will feature a specific thematic focus rather than historical vignettes. They will require walking through grass and uneven surfaces at night and in in inclement conditions, including rain and mud. These tours also meet at the entrance gate to the reconstructed Fort Vancouver, 1001 E. Fifth St., start at 7:00 p.m.
Lantern Tour: An Evening at the McLoughlin House
Cost: $10 for adults, $7 for children 15 years and under. Reservations for the 2017-18 Lantern Tour: An Evening at the McLoughlin House series will open in fall of 2017.
These tours are held in Oregon City at the McLoughlin House unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Visitors are invited to explore the life of Dr. John McLoughlin, the Father of Oregon, at these ranger-led tours. These tours take place in McLoughlin's home in Oregon City, where he retired after serving as Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver.
Reservations
Reservations are required for all Lantern Tours. To make reservations, prospective attendees can call the Contact Station at Fort Vancouver at 360-816-6244.
- Payment for the tour must be made at the time of reservation;payment will NOT be accepted on the evening of the tour.
- National Park Passes do not cover this special program.
- Reservations are final and non-refundable. Tickets/receipts are transferable.
Changes to reservations may be made up to noon the day before the tour, allowing those on the waiting list an opportunity to attend.
Other Information
Due to program length, Lantern Tours are not recommended for children under 10 years old.
Parking is available at the lot adjoining the reconstructed Fort Vancouver, at 1001 E. Fifth St. This parking lot will open at 6:30 p.m.
Attendees are requested to please arrive no later than 6:45 p.m. to allow time to park, present ticket, and get oriented.
Attendees are also requested to please follow the lantern-lit path upon arrival, and check in at the Contact Station just inside the main gate to the reconstructed Fort Vancouver.
The tours last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Attendees are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks, pathways, and/or grass and uneven ground surfaces.
Only attendees 10 years and older may carry a lantern.
