The traveling exhibit located at the Historical Center’s People of the Falls Museum, open 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, kicks off the Mission Point Fur Trade Encampment that runs July 28 and 29th.
In 1807, Canadian David Thompson crested the Continental Divide and gazed west at uncharted territory. He came to explore the Columbia River, and over the next five years completed the first scientific survey of its entire length. Thompson was not just a geographer but a fur trader, ambassador to the native tribes, agent of the British Crown, and naturalist. His arrival was a catalyst for revolutionary change in the Inland Northwest. This exhibit offers visitors a first-hand sense of Thompson's journeys.
Jack Nisbet's illustrated book, The Mapmaker's Eye: David Thompson on the Columbia Plateau was released in conjunction with the exhibit’s run at the MAC in 2005 - 06.
The Mission Point Fur Trade Encampment runs Saturday July 28, 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday July 29, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2007 at Mission Point, just past the Kettle Falls Historical Center. The schedule of events is listed below:
10:00 a.m. Meet the People of the Fur Trade
10:30 a.m. Fur Trade Fire Starting Methods
11:30 a.m. Firearms Demonstration (at the museum)
12:15 p.m. Guided Walk of Mission Point (NPS)
1:00 pm Meet the People of the Fur Trade
2:00 p.m. Fur Trade Fire Starting Methods
3:00 p.m. Firearms Demonstration (at the museum)
9:00 p.m. Saturday only “David Thompson and the Road Less Traveled"- PowerPoint program at the Kettle Falls Campground Amphitheater. (NPS)
Also, July 28th at the museum the Northeast Washington Rehabilitation Society will be showcasing some of the raptors they use to educate the public about wildlife rescue.
The Kettle Falls Historical Center is located north of the town of Kettle Falls on Hwy 395, just before the bridge over Lake Roosevelt to Barney’s Junction. Entrance to the museum is by donation. $1.00 children, $2.00 adult and $5.00 family. Entrance to the encampment is free.
For more information about the David Thompson exhibit at the Historical Center please call 509.738.6964. For more information about the Fur Trade Encampment please call the National Park Service at 509.738.3626 x 115
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
