Oregon City, OR - The National Park Service (NPS) and the McLoughlin Memorial Association (MMA) announce the annual Candlelight Tour at the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This year's event will feature demonstrations of Victorian-era ladies’ handwork, as the ladies prepare gifts for the holiday festivities to come.
"The holidays were a time of celebration, feasting, camaraderie, and fellowship. Many of the traditions still celebrated today had their beginnings during the 1840s and 1850s," said Tracy Hill, NPS Volunteer-in-Parks and MMA Manager. "Dr. and Mrs. McLoughlin were known for their hospitality, and many visitors were welcomed into their home. We want to continue that spirit and extend an invitation to everyone to come and share the traditions of the season with us."
A variety of Victorian handcrafts will be demonstrated by National Park Service Volunteers, as part of an ongoing cultural demonstration series featuring 19th-century textile arts.
"This cultural demonstration series is an exciting addition to the site’s programming as a new addition to the national park system," said Greg Shine, Chief Ranger & Historian. "It is a fascinating program that increases visitor understanding of the types of handwork popular with women at sites such as the McLoughlin and Barclay Houses, the skill and artistry involved in its production, and its significant role in women’s lives and social circles."
The McLoughlin House and the nearby Ermatinger House are joining to offer an evening of historic holiday entertainment. The Ermatinger House is hosting its annual "Spirits of Christmas" living history experience, at 619 6th Street, Oregon City. After your tours of the houses, come and sample holiday treats of the period at the Barclay House (next door to the McLoughlin House).
This special event will be offered on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006 from 4:30 to 7:30
p.m. at the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, located at 713 Center Street in Oregon City, Oregon. Tickets for refreshments at the Barclay House and admission to the Ermatinger House are $8.00 each, free for children 6 and under. Advance reservations may be made by calling the Ermatinger House at (503) 650-1851. Tickets will also be available at the door at both locations.
BACKGROUND:
The McLoughlin House was added to the National Park System in 2003 as a unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The house is restored to honor the life and accomplishments of John McLoughlin, the "Father of Oregon." The graves of McLoughlin and his wife Marguerite are next to the house, as is the home of Dr. Forbes Barclay, a Hudson's Bay Company associate, and his wife Maria. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is the heart of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The Vancouver National Historic Reserve brings together a national park, a premier archaeological site, the region's first military post, an international fur trade emporium, one of the oldest operating airfields, the first national historic site west of the Mississippi River, and a waterfront trail and environmental center on the banks of the Columbia River. The partners of the Reserve teach visitors about the fur trade, early military life, natural history, and pioneers in aviation, all within the context of Vancouver’s role in regional and national development. The Reserve's vast array of public programs -- including living history events, festivals, cultural demonstrations, exhibits, active archaeology, and other special activities -- create a dynamic, fun, and unique tourist destination for people of all ages.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
