Fort Nisqually Living History Museum

Don't miss out! We still have a few spots available in our popular Butchering and Curing class on January 13th. Join us to learn how to slaughter a whole hog, from start to finish, and how to cure the meat 1850s style!
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/event/heritage-skills-workshop-butchering-curing/

Happy Twelfth Night! The Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany, is the last and final night of a nearly two-week party often referred to as the 12 days of Christmas. An important part of the festivities is the crowning of the Twelfth Night King, traditionally through the Twelfth Night cake. This rich cake, often covered in marzipan and sugar sculptures would have a bean, coin, or ring baked into it. The person who found this token would become king/queen for that day.
If you wish to break up the dreariness of winter with a twelfth-night celebration, we heartily suggest a twelfth-night cake in lie of the twelve lords a-leaping that that Robert S. Salmon suggests in his 1855 version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

If you have learning a new skill on your New Year's resolution list, look no further than our Heritage skills workshops this spring!
Visit fortnisqually.org for more details and registration.

Join our Heritage Skills Workshop on Saturday, Feb 3, 2024, 10 am-1 pm at Fort Nisqually to learn the basics of leather working. Materials are provided, and you'll take home your creations! Don't miss out – discover the timeless craft of leatherworking.
Find more details and registration at fortnisqually.org
or https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/metroparkstacoma/activity/search/detail/21021?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Thank you to all who shared a Christmas wish with us! We hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season and that your wishes come true!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Twelve Beads for Trading,
Elven Men a-Smithing,
Ten Kits for Building,
Nine Sewers Sewing,
Eight Hens a-Laying,
Seven Sheep for Shearing,
Six Shrubs for Mixing,
Five Bricks of Tea,
Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually.

Trade beads imported from Italy were commonly sold at Fort Nisqually and used as payment for day labor. One of the more popular colors was a red bead with a white core, known as the French White Heart or the “Hudson’s Bay Bead”. Today, we sell all different styles and types of reproduction trade beads, including the Hudson’s Bay Bead! Beads make for a great stocking stuffer or arts and crafts project this holiday season!

Check out some fun happenings this weekend at the Fort.

According to the Fort Vancouver National Historic site, the beer brewing industry in the Pacific Northwest began in the late 1820s when Dr. McLaughlin decided to use half the barley crop “to an experiment in beer making”. For Christmas Eve we’ll be using some of our own barley crop grown here at Fort Nisqually to produce our “Cast Iron Brew”.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Eleven Men a-Smithing,
Ten Kits for Building,
Nine Sewers Sewing,
Eight Hens a-Laying,
Seven Sheep for Shearing,
Six Shrubs for Mixing,
Five Bricks of Tea,
Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually.

Did you know that Fort Nisqually has a fully functioning forge that our volunteer blacksmiths use to create cool and unique items? Did you know we also have a tinsmith who demonstrates his craft every Sunday? Well, now you do! Stop by the Fort on a weekend to check out our wonderful smiths. We have the same items they make for sale. They say every artisan imbues their items with their own unique story. What stories will you learn and take home after visiting Fort Nisqually?

As the light on this shortest day of the year fades, we are greatful for the sun that graced the Fort today. Warm thoughts and comfort food are lingering tonight.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Ten Kits for Building,
Nine Sewers Sewing,
Eight Hens a-Laying,
Seven Sheep for Shearing,
Six Shrubs for Mixing,
Five Bricks of Tea,
Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually.

Want to take a hands-on approach this gift-giving season? We have all sorts of different do-it-yourself items for the do-it-yourselfer in your family. Make your own perfume and flower paper. Build your own fort or wood wagon. Learn to quilt and knit. Get crafty this season!

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Nine Sewers Sewing,
Eight Hens a-Laying,
Seven Sheep for Shearing,
Six Shrubs for Mixing,
Five Bricks of Tea,
Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually.

Whether it is awls, scissors, beeswax for threads, or buttons of all different materials, our store has your 19th century sewing notion needs. The latest addition are beautiful, period appropriate pin cushions, made by Fort volunteer Carolyn Wagner. Be sure to check out her items, and the rest of our supplies here at the museum store!

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Eight Hens a-Laying,
Seven Sheep for Shearing,
Six Shrubs for Mixing,
Five Bricks of Tea,
Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually.

Have you seen our chickens? Every day, our historical interpreters collect the eggs our lovely ladies lay, and we sell them right from the museum store. $4 for a dozen farm-fresh eggs, $2 for half a dozen. We also have wonderful chick, hen, and rooster plushies available for purchase too. Be sure to say “Hi” to the hens and our rooster, Albert, on your next visit to Fort Nisqually!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Seven Sheep for Shearing,
Six Shrubs for Mixing,
Five Bricks of Tea,
Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually.

By 1839, the fur trade was at a decline and Fort Nisqually shifted to being a center of agriculture and raising livestock, especially sheep! Our historical interpreters demonstrate the traditional method of cleaning, carding, and spinning wool. Stop by today and grab a drop spindle with wool and try your hand at it. Lamb plushies are also available and make a great woolly companion for your child. Also check out our Wool Working Education Workshops, perfect for homeschool groups!

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Six Shrubs for Mixing
Five Bricks of Tea,
Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually

A shrub is a combination of fruit, sugar, and vinegar in a typically 1:1:1 ratio. It was originally used to preserve fruits and vegetables, so they remained fresh through the winter. Shrubs can also be used to make flavorful beverage and are a great addition to cocktails and mocktails.

For all of December, all shrubs, preserves, honey, and cider are 25% off! Enjoy the delicious tastes of some of the finest products made in Washington State!

What a fun tradition, Williamsburg!

Have you seen the swag at Fort Nisqually? Each year our staff and volunteers create holiday adornments for our buildings and gates using locally sourced natives from the area. Stop by the Fort before the new year to take a look and maybe get inspired to create your own.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Five Bricks of Tea,
Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually

Tea has been a popular drink throughout history and a staple of many societies. Loose tea, however, was challenging to transport, so one solution was to finely press into a tea brick form, which preserved the quality and allowed it to be safely transported to various locations. Grab one today and see how long a square of tea (or a larger brick of tea) can last you! We also have more traditional tea bags in small, fashionable crates. Try delicious flavors such as elderberry, huckleberry, and the popular Garden Party, a jasmine and earl grey blend.

Dive into the world of heritage skills at Fort Nisqually's Tin Smithing Workshop! Join us on March 2, 2024, from 10 am-3:30 pm for a hands-on experience in crafting your own Tin Cup or Mug. Choose between a drinking mug or a pouringer, both inspired by historic designs. Learn the art of tinsmithing using traditional methods like forming cylindrical bodies, crimping edges, wiring rims and handles, and soldering joints.
But the creativity doesn't stop there! On March 3, 2024, also from 10 am-3:30 pm, discover the enchanting world of Early American lighting at our Tin Smithing Workshop for Candlesticks/Wall Sconces. Craft tinplate candle holders in various styles and a beautiful wall sconce. Register online and light up your heritage skills!

Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with history and create your own timeless pieces. Register now at fortnisqually.org for a weekend filled with craftsmanship and heritage at Fort Nisqually!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Four Hummingbirds,
Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually

If you are looking for gift ideas this holiday season, look no further! From hummingbirds to orcas to dragonflies, our Gift Shop features beautiful designs from local Indigenous artists on a variety of items including water bottles, jewelry, and a cozy teapot for one. Stop by Fort Nisqually today and get inspired for your holiday shopping!

On the third day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Three Cookbooks,
Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually

Did you know our Historical Interpreters do cooking demonstrations in the Period Kitchen? They use the same tools and utensils that would have been present at Fort Nisqually during the nineteenth century. Some of their amazing creations come straight from the recipe books of Bear Wallow Books.

For all of December, Bear Wallow Books are 10% off in our Gift Shop! Stop by today and grab a cookbook for the cooking enthusiast in your life.

On the second day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: Two Leather Pouches,
and a Print of Fort Nisqually.

Our volunteer harnessmaker, Robert, can be found practicing his craft around the Fort, and is here today for Christmas Regale! You can find his work, and the work of other craftsmen, for sale in the Gift Shop. We will also be hosting a Heritage Skills Workshop on Leather Working in February where Robert will teach participants the basics of leatherwork and help them create their own items to take home. Give the gift of a new skill this holiday season and register now. Space is limited, click here to learn more: https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/event/heritage-skills-workshop-leather-working/

On the first day of Christmas, my true-love sent to me: a Print of Fort Nisqually.

Did you know that Fort Nisqually was established in 1833 by the Hudson's Bay Company as a fur trading outpost? It was the first globally connected settlement in the Puget Sound region! Visit Fort Nisqually today and take a piece of history with you. We have unique, locally made cards and prints by Tacoma artist Anne deMille Flood that make perfect gifts and holiday cards! One of our Fort Kitties, Eena, was the muse for Flood's work "Cold Days, Warm Wishes", featuring the view looking out from the Laborer's Dwelling. Fort Nisqually is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11am to 4pm.

Can you spot our cats?

Mahsee and Eena are the two resident cats at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. During the cold months, they especially love the company of visitors.

Come visit Fort Nisqually Living History Museum and expect a warm welcome from these two!

On this giving Tuesday we ask you to consider a donation to the Fort Nisqually Foundation. Your generosity ensures their continued support of our education programs, living history interpretation, and preservation. Thank you to everyone - donors and volunteers - who support our mission, and thank you to Fort Nisqually Foundation for all the work that you do.

Home | Save Our Shores Your generosity will help support educational programs, living history interpretation, and preservation at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. 

The beginning of Chinuk Wawa (also known as Chinook Jargon) is contributed to the error of ship captain and fur trader, Robert Gray. During one of his visits to Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island, Captain Gray acquired a vocabulary list of the language of that area. He no doubt assumed, or at least hoped, that this vocabulary could be used to communicate in other ports of call. When he returned to the Northwest Coast in 1792 to trade with the Clatsop and lower Chinook people, those who came to his ship thought he was speaking in his own tongue.

The Clatsop and lower Chinook people quickly assimilated to the new terminology. Soon, a mutual, unofficial pidgin began to develop. This would develop into a hybrid lingua franca combined with contributions from Nuuchahnulth (Nootkan), Canadian French, English, and other languages.

All throughout the PNW indigenous people from the interior and along the coast played an integral role in the fur trade. As the fur trade died down mid 19th century, many of the HBC workers gradually left and formed new communities where among neighbors and families there often was no common language other than Chinuk Wawa.

For more about the history of Chinuk Wawa and to learn some vocabulary, visit https://www.duanepasco.com/tw/twtoc.htm

Image courtesy of Christine Schuler and Christine Pinto

One month 'til Christmas. Have you completed (or started) shoping? Spice up your gift giving this Christmas with handmade gifts from our Holiday Market. Make an ornament for the tree thanks to a donation of locally gleaned apples from . Maybe you just need to relax with a hot cup of coffee? Come hang out with Valhalla Coffee Company and learn how to roast your own beans over the fire.
See you December 2 for Christmas Regale, an old fashion Christmas. Advanced ticket purchace recommended. Fortnisqually.org

The museum is closed today, Thursday November 23rd in observance of Thanksgiving Day. We will see you tomorrow!!!