The steamers Spreadeagle and Chippewa brought word to Fort Union of the outbreak of the Civil War, with shots being fired on Fort Sumter, as cargo was unloaded. As the Chippewa continued its journey upriver to Fort Benton with Blackfeet annuities, a great roar was heard! This will be the scenario of this year’s Last Bell Tours, Saturday evening, Sept. 3 at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.
Saturday’s Last Bell Tours will begin in the upper parking lot at 8 p.m. , where visitors will assemble. Tour leaders will orient visitors and escort them through the fort where they will be confronted by a series of period scenes. Beginning at 8 p.m., six tours of 20-25 people each will be conducted through the trading post at 15-minute intervals (tours will begin at 8:00, 8:15, 8:45, 9:00 and 9:15 so everyone need not show up at the same time). The fort will be illuminated by candlelight, lanterns and fireplaces.
The Last Bell Tours are only a part of Living History Weekend, Sept. 3-5, when the Muzzleloaders, staff and other re-enactors become engages (laborers), clerks, traders, Indian warriors and Metis women. Besides living in the fort, re-enactors will eat meals cooked out behind the Bourgeois House on a wood-burning stove.
Hours are from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT daily at Fort Union. Admission to the site is free. While there, visitors are encouraged to tour the reconstructed fort, trade room and bourgeois house.
This special event concludes Fort Union’s summer schedule. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 6, hours of operation will be 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. CDT through the fall, winter and spring.
Fort Union Trading Post is located 25 miles southwest of Williston via Highway 1804 and 24 miles northeast of Sidney. For more information on Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site contact the park at 701-572-9083, or visit us on the web at http://www.nps.gov/fous and Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Union-Trading-Post-National-Historic-Site/118231345800.
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