2019 Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous
Experience the pre-1870s era at The Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous on June 13-16, 2019 in Williston, North Dakota. The annual Fathers Day weekend mountain man rendezvous, held at the historic Fort Union Trading Post includes “Trader’s Row” which features over a dozen historic vendors with whom you can barter and purchase furs, jewelry, and many other handcrafted items. There will also be re-enactments and demonstrations throughout the weekend to perfect your fur trading skills such as, blacksmithing and bow making.
Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous
This 19th Century Fur Trade Fair includes a variety of period arts, crafts and music. Come and participate in the upper Missouri’s finest fur trade fair at one of the West’s most imposing historic sites. The Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous gathering is Fort Union’s largest event, a time when the fort comes alive and best reflects the busy trade season. Over 100 Re-enactors from across the country and Canada every third weekend in June demonstrating traditional skills and lifeways.
Schedule of Events:
19th Century Fur Trade Fair includes a variety of period arts, crafts and music. Come and participate in the upper Missouri’s finest fur trade fair at one of the West’s most imposing historic sites.
Thursday – Kids Day – 10:00 – 2:00 central time – Kids can enjoy various stations of games and hands on activities. Event and activities are free. Groups of 5 or more are encouraged to pre-register by calling 701-572-9083.
Saturday – Rendezvous Run – Featuring a 1 mile kids and fur traders run, a 5 K walk and run and an 11 K run from Fort Union through Fort Buford and back. Sponsored by American State Bank & Trust Company of Williston. For more information or to register please call American State Banks at (800) 486-8173.
Participant Information
Please read the full Safety and Authenticity Standards for Fort Fort Union Trading Post NHS
Basic Information
The staff at Fort Union Trading Post NHS seeks a historically accurate depiction of life at Fort Union Trading Post NHS. To that end, certain standards are expected of all participants.
Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous Mini Gallery
Gear and Clothing
We concentrate on the period 1828-1867.Clothing, camp equipment and materials should meet the test of being representative of the period.We do however, want all to feel welcome and colonial era (1770s era) is appropriate to this event. This event is co-managed with the Fort Union Muzzle Loader Association, their Bourgeois and Fort Union Park Staff will be available in camp for questions or concerns.
The primary focus of Rendezvous events is to portray and re-create of historic lifeways and material culture;including activities, camping equipment, fashion, and weapons, common on the Northern Plains during Fort Union’s period of significance. We ask that you make friendly, personal contacts with our visitors. Such contacts will help create an interactive learning event.
Interpretive Themes
All interpretation should illustrate the interactions between American Indians from the Upper Missouri Tribes (Assiniboine, Crow, Blackfeet, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arkiara and Lakota and Dakota Sioux);the tribes and Euro-Americans (American Fur Company employees, trappers, independent traders, hunters, rivermen, missionaries, slaves, visiting artists and scientists, military personnel, etc.);and among Euro-Americans who lived in, worked or traded at, or visited Fort Union in the early to mid-19th century.
You can help our visitors understand what daily activities these people engaged in, what problems and challenges each of them faced, and how they may have dealt with them. You can use your experiences to help bring to life the fur trade story of Fort Union Trading Post.
The Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous is cosponsored by the National Park Service and the Friends of Fort Union Trading Post, of Williston, North Dakota. The Fort Union Muzzle Loaders will assist the Park Service in policing the camp site.
All participants must sign a VIP volunteer agreement in order to participate and/or camp at Rendezvous.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss this year’s Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous in Williston, North Dakota.
Tags: Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous, Fort Union Trading Post Mountain Man Rendezvous, North Dakota Rendezvous, North Dakota Mountain Man Rendezvous