Living History weekend August 31 through September tells the story of the Northwest Company’s purchase of Fort Union from the American Fur Company.
The setting for this year’s Last Bell Tour is based on events that occurred from June 17 through September 17, 1865 through the eyes of the employees from Chouteau and Company. A series of changes were experienced during this time and the fort re-enactors, staff and volunteers will bring this story to life. This will set the stage to give the visitors that view from the past.
Saturday’s Last Bell Tours begin in the upper parking lot, where visitors 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 p.m., 8:20 p.m., 8:45 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. The fort will be illuminated by candlelight, lanterns and fireplaces.
The Last Bell Tours are only a part of Living History Weekend; August 31 to September 2, when the area muzzleloaders, staff and other re-enactors become engages (laborers), clerks and traders, Indian Warriors, and Metis women. Besides living in the fort, re-enactors eat meals cooked out behind the Bourgeois House on a wood-burning stove.
Fort Union’s Trade House will be open every day throughout September, staffed by living history interpreters. Stop in at the visitor’s center to get the latest updates on our changes or any upcoming events, or visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/fous or on Facebook.
Fort Union is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT daily at Fort Union until Labor Day, and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the winter. Fort Union Trading Post is located 24 miles north of Sidney, Montana and 25 miles southwest of Williston, North Dakota, via Highway 1804. While here, visitors are encouraged to tour the reconstructed fort, trade room and bourgeois house. Fort Union is free of charge to visit.
For more information on Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, contact the park at 701-572-9083.
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