Lantern Tours are coming to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site/NPS

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Washington state and Oregon has announced the upcoming dates for the 2018-2019 Lantern Tour program. These popular guided tours lead participants on an after-dark experience through either the reconstructed Fort Vancouver or the historic Vancouver Barracks.

"Imagine the amber glow of lanterns and faint music in the distance," said park guide Scott Irvine. "There's something magical about exploring the park by candlelight, and it's a great way for our community to connect to its past."

This season, the park will offer two separate Lantern Tour themes and 21 program dates. 

Lantern Tours: An Evening at the Fort

Lantern Tours: An Evening at the Fort take place inside the Fort Vancouver stockade. Participants are treated to historical vignettes in several buildings as a park ranger guides them through the reconstructed fort. These vignettes transport the visitor back in time to exhibit what life was like at Fort Vancouver in the 1840s.The Lantern Tours begin at 7 p.m., but visitors must arrive at 6:45 pm. Admission is $25 per adult, and $10 per youth.

Lantern Tours: An Evening at the Fort Dates:

• October 20, 2018
• November 17, 2018
• December 15, 2018
• December 29, 2018
• January 19, 2019
• January 26, 2019
• February 16, 2019
• February 23, 2019
• March 23, 2019

Lantern Tours: Walking Vancouver Barracks

Lantern Tours: Walking Vancouver Barracks explore the U.S. Army history of Vancouver Barracks. Each adult carries a lantern as a park ranger guides the group on an outdoor walking tour of the historic Army post. Visitors will learn about Ulysses S. Grant, Oliver Otis Howard, George C. Marshall, William S. Harney, and other significant figures in Vancouver Barracks' history. These tours are entirely outdoors, and they cover about a half mile over some uneven and unpaved ground. These tours begin at 7 p.m., but visitors must arrive at 6:45 pm. Admission is $25 per adult and $10 per youth.

Lantern Tours: Walking Vancouver Barracks Dates:

• October 27, 2018
• November 24, 2018
• March 30, 2019

All tours are by prepaid reservations only; reservations for lantern tours are open now. All tour dates can be reserved now and must be prepaid starting. All reservations are required to be booked at www.friendsfortvancouver.org.  Reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable to another date.

All Lantern Tours take place at least partially outdoors and will occur rain or shine. Tour attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for weather conditions. Due to program length, Lantern Tours are not recommended for children under the age of 10. 

Additional information and the full Lantern Tour schedule for the 2018-2019 season is available at www.friendsfortvancouver.org and www.nps.gov/fova

What: Lantern Tours at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

When: Twelve separate dates between October, 20, 2018-March 30, 2019. Each tour starts at 7 pm, and attendees are asked to arrive by 6:45 pm.

Where: The reconstructed fort at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1001 East 5th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661

Cost: $25 for adults, $10 for youth (15 and under); reservations and payments can be booked at www.friendsfortvancouver.org. Reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable to another date.