Even the price of admission to history goes up, sometimes.
The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site has announced a fee increase for entrance to the reconstructed Fort Vancouver, effective Jan. 1. The current price of admission is $7 per individual for a seven-day pass or $30 for an annual pass. As of the new year, the price will be $10 for the seven-day pass, or $35 for an annual pass.
The price rise is needed to address aging park infrastructure, according to a statement from the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Increases at 77 National Park Service sites already went into effect on June 1, according to the statement; the Fort site at 1001 E. 5th St. is one of 33 more, whose rates are now rising on a delayed schedule. (It never costs anything to visit the nearby visitors center, at 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd.)
“Increasing our fee structure is a necessary accommodation to assist with the ongoing efforts to address the maintenance backlog throughout the national park system,” said Tracy Fortmann, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site superintendent. “Rest assured that we will utilize the extra funds earned from these entrance fees to improve the visitor experience and address the maintenance backlog at the park.”
Overall, the raised fees will help the National Park Service address $11.6 billion in deferred maintenance across its system of 418 parks, historic and cultural sites and monuments, according to the statement. Out of that number, just 115 parks charge an entrance fee.
