Archaeology Walking Tour of the Spruce Mill

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Special Event
  • Sep 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
  • Free

Doug Wilson will take visitors on a walking tour of the Spruce Mill at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site to learn about how World War I changed the aviation and timber industries in the Pacific Northwest. This Pearson Field Centennial event will explore how archaeology has revealed the remains of the largest spruce mill in history and how spruce was an essential ingredient for making aircraft to support the war effort. The tour is about an hour and will include the fort and Spruce Mill trail areas. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water. Meet at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver, WA 98661.

Doug Wilson has been an archaeologist most of his life. He received his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Arizona, and since then has been tramping across the western United States exploring ancient and more recent places. He is a regional archaeologist for the National Park Service Preservation Partnerships Program and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Portland State University. His recent book, Historical Archaeology of the Pacific Northwest, was published by the University Press of Florida.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

This tour will begin at Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver, WA 98661.

Latitude and Longitude 45.623996, -122.656309

Schedule

Date:

Sep 21, 2025

Time:

11:00 AM

Duration:

1 hour

Event Type

  • Guided Tour
Tags: fort vancouver, bicentennial