My tweet read, "Wow. A bus full of fourth-graders is really LOUD." They were energetic. They were excited. They weren't even sure where they were going. (My own daughter thought the destination was Fort Vancouver. That bus ride surely would have put me over the top.)
But we were headed to Fort Nisqually, a living-history museum inside Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. It was the perfect outlet for their energy and curiosity. They learned about "the Fred Meyer of 1855," they got to grind corn and water the crops, they tried to hoist a blacksmith's hammer and they found out what folks did for entertainment in an era that lacked (gasp!) X-boxes and TVs. And the expression "sleep tight"? Explained.
The original Fort Nisqually was built in 1833 by Hudson's Bay Company and was the first European settlement on Puget Sound, south of its current location near what is now DuPont. It became a major international trading center and also had a large agricultural operation. It closed in 1869. A major preservation effort, launched in 1933, eventually resulted in the two surviving buildings being moved to the current site and others being recreated.
Today, guides in period costumes make the place come alive for visitors of all ages, teaching about history and daily life and involving people with hands-on experiences.
Hours:
October 1 – April 30, open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Extended summer hours May 1 through September 30, open daily, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
There are numerous special events, seasonal activities and holiday celebrations. Check their website.
Admission:
Regular admission is $8.50 for adults, $5.50 for kids 4-17; free for 3 and under, $7 for military and seniors.
The best deal is getting a whole family in for $22.50 (two adults and up to six kids.)
Make a day of it
There's so much to do nearby. A few ideas:
- Explore the rest of Point Defiance Park. It's huge! There are scenic drives, several hikes, a long beach and, of course …
- Point Defiance Zoo. If you're Woodland Park regulars, a few things are different here. There's an aquarium. There are elephants. There are walruses.
- Point Ruston. The former contaminated industrial site is now a luxury development of homes, shops, restaurants and more. Of particular interest to kids: the spray park (which becomes an ice rink in winter), bike (and other wheeled-vehicle) rentals and immediate access to a great, scenic path for riding.
- Ruston Way. The waterfront runs for several miles, with a couple of parks, a continuous walking/cycling path and restaurants conveniently dotted along the way. At one tip is Chinese Reconciliation Park, which tells an interesting story.
