We have this dim idea that the past was literally dimmer than the present. That belongs to the same family of nonsense notions that says rivers only flow south because that’s downhill, and food that hits the floor is automatically contaminated by toxic cooties — but only after five seconds.
But nighttimes of yesteryear really were darker than now, unless you carried a candle or lantern or some other light source. That’s how folks who tour Fort Vancouver after hours this winter are making their way around within those walls — along with the guidance of park rangers and living history volunteers too.
Fort Vancouver’s popular “Evening at the Fort” lantern tours are now underway on selected Saturday nights. Starting at 7 p.m., all visitors age 10 and older carry their own candle lanterns, and groups follow park rangers through the reconstructed 1840s fort’s Counting House, Fur Store, Chief Factor’s House, Kitchen and Bake House. At each spot, visitors will observe and greet costumed living history interpreters as they go about authentic 1840s business. Many of those interpreters are graduates of youth volunteer programs at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Plan ahead
Check out the schedule and visit the Friends of Fort Vancouver website to make reservations, because these tours really are popular and they do fill up. Plan to dress for the weather and arrive 15 minutes early. There’s also one remaining lantern tour of the nearby Vancouver Barracks, set for March 30 only; registration details and prices are the same.
