As part of our Oregon history course we have been studying what brought Europeans to the Oregon territory and how the different cultural groups interacted. A visit to the Fort Vancouver Living History Museum helped them better understand what life was like here in the first half of the 19th century.
One of the blacksmiths enjoyed talking to the children and had M help demonstrate the spring trap. Everyone jumped as it snapped shut!
Before our trip we made hard tack, or sea biscuits. They are made by blending flour and water and baking until they are dry and hard as a rock. Nothing like a little first hand experience to understand why these were important food rations, but not a favorite dish (or why they were sometimes called "molar breakers").
The Indian trade shop highlighted all the items you could purchase with beaver pelts. The clothes may not have fit well, but the famous Hudson Bay blankets, as well as glass and metal items which the Native Americans had yet to produce, were trade worthy.
The Chief Factor's beautiful European style mansion seemed very out of place in the "rustic" area.
Part of our crew by the cannons
The historical gardens are beautiful
Enjoying the beautiful weather
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