Williston, ND - The Fort Union Association (FUA) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
FUA was founded in April 1993, by Williston-native Marv Kaiser and Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site Superintendent Paul Hedren thanks in part to a generous loan from the Friends of Fort Union & Fort Buford. Kaiser, Hedren and other founding board members sought a way to share the trading post's rich history and support the historical, cultural, scientific, and educational activities of Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site and the National Park Service.
Today, Fort Union Association runs the bookstore, located within the Bourgeois House at Fort Union. The association helps enhance visitors' experiences through the sale of educational and interpretive materials such as accurate reproduction trade goods, commemorative merchandise, books, and other items. FUA also assists and supports Fort Union Trading Post with workshops, demonstrations, and events.
FUA invites the public to help celebrate its 30th year by attending the Annual Rendezvous, scheduled for June 15-18, Indian Arts Showcase, scheduled for Aug. 5-6, and Living History Weekend, scheduled for Sept. 2-3. Visitors can also pick up a commemorative t-shirt, with purchases over $10, or for purchase alone at $5 from the bookstore at Fort Union, while supplies last. Shirts will be available by mid-June.
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, located near the Confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, was established by John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company and Upper Missouri Outfit in 1828 as a trading post for exchanging furs with Assiniboine Indians, and over eight other Northern Plains tribes. Throughout its 39-year existence, Fort Union Trading Post became one of the most important trading posts in the Upper Missouri River region, serving as the head of navigation for many years and a hub of trade. The fort was also a hub of cultural exchange between Northern Plains tribes and Euro-Americans. The trading post closed in 1867. It was purchased by the Army and disassembled. Its remains were sent two miles east to begin construction of Fort Buford.
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic site is located 23 miles west of Williston, ND. No fees are required to visit the site. It is open 7-days a week, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CT, with the exceptions of Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. For more information: visit our website at http://www.fortunion.tp.org, or call 701-572-2795, or visit the NPS page http://www.nps.gov/fous.
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