Pearson Air Museum Blog Celebrate Summer's End in a Week of Historic Tours and Talks

Walk & Talk: A Week of Free ToursThe Fort Vancouver National Trust announces a new summer's-end, weeklong series of free tours and talks about local history, August 21 through 27. "Walk and Talk" will be kicked off by the August 21 solar eclipse, with activities occurring daily.Scheduled tours include the Post Cemetery, Providence Academy, Officers Row and the West Barracks, and the chance to be a kid again with the activities at the Pearson Field Education Center. A botanical tour of historic 19th Century plants will be scheduled adjacent to a film presentation on Scottish botanist, David Douglas, on Sunday, August 27. These are free events and tours, but an email RSVP to tours@fortvan.org is required to guarantee a spot. The complete calendar of events, times, and links to RSVP for each activity may be found at fortvan.org/freetours.On the morning of August 21, observation of the solar eclipse will be organized in the parking lot across from Grant House at the Fort Vancouver Historic Site. Free eclipse glasses will be provided to the first 100 people to RSVP. Beginning at noon, the Fort Vancouver Tapestry will be on display every afternoon for the entire week at the Artillery Barracks building. Local historian and author, Jeff Davis, will present military history talks and Spirit Tours in the evenings."We want to invite everyone to celebrate the end of summer with the Trust," said Director of Community Outreach and Programs, Richard Burrows. "It's a chance to gather with other community members, and perhaps see the old in a new way. The pace of a walking tour changes our perspective and allows us time to hear stories more completely."To sign up for the free tours, RSVP at Tours@fortvan.org indicating the tour(s) selected, the time(s), and number attending. The Trust will send a confirmation, which guarantees the spot. Dress to walk, have good shoes, plenty of fluids, and a thirsty curiosity.Walk and Talk Schedule Syzygy Transit for the National Solar Eclipse Monday, August 21, 2017; 8am-12noonOn August 21, 2017, America will be treated to its first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years. It will also be the first total eclipse exclusive to the U.S. since before the nation's founding in 1776, hence the National Eclipse. From Oregon to South Carolina, the eclipse will trace a 67 mile-wide path of totality across the country for millions to witness as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and day turn to night for up to almost three minutes. Here in Vancouver the eclipse will view at 93% of total.Walking distance: 500 feet from parking lotCheck-in: In front of the Grant House, 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA 98661Parking: Several parking lots on Evergreen, and elsewhere on the Fort Vancouver National ReserveTour Leader: Trust StaffProvidence Academy Tour Tuesday August 22, 2017; 10-11am and 2-3pmThe House of Providence, also known as The Academy, is a former orphanage and school. It was built in 1873 by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart who along with 4 other Montreal nuns traveled to Vancouver to serve the social and religious needs of locals. She raised money for the construction of the House of Providence and 32 other charitable institutions by leading begging tours of local mining camps. The building has three stories, constructed in brick in a neo-Georgian style, and closed as a school in 1966.Walking distance: Inside the building, but involves climbing stairs. Physically challenged may use a small elevator by prior request.Check-in: 10am and 2pm; 400 E Evergreen Boulevard, Vancouver, WA 98660Parking: Front facing parking lot on Evergreen Boulevard has a few free visitor spaces; street parking or public transportationTour Leader: Richard W. Burrows, Director of Community Outreach & ProgramsMarshall House Tour Wednesday, August 23, 2017; 10-11am and 2-3pmThis home's Queen Anne architecture is the most popular of high Victorian Styles with ornate features including stained glass, decorative woodwork and a round turret. It is named in honor of General George C. Marshall, who lived there from 1936-1938, serving as Commander of the Barracks and the regional Civilian Conservation Corps. The museum-like setting focuses on traditional furnishing, military memorabilia and Marshall's study.Walking distance: Inside the building. ADA entrance at the back of the building.Check-in: 10Aam and 2pm; 1301 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA 98661Parking: Several parking lots on Evergreen, and elsewhere on the Fort Vancouver National ReserveTour Leader: Julie Kummer, Marshall House Event ManagerOfficers Row and West Barracks Tour Thursday, August 24, 2017; 10-11am and 2-3pmFor over a century, these late 19th and early 20th century homes along the northern edge of Evergreen Boulevard in the Historic Reserve area served as residential housing for many soldiers, officers and families stationed at Vancouver Barracks. Of particular note are Grant, Marshall and Howard houses. As well, the old U.S. Army Reserve buildings in the West Barracks have been renovated into beautiful residential and commercial mixed-use properties that feature unique historical touches in the Artillery Barracks, Red Cross Building, Dental Surgeon Building, Infantry Barracks, Spruce Division Records Storehouse (formerly Quartermaster Building).Walking distance: 1 ?1/2 miles on sidewalk. Persons with physical challenges will require assistance.Check-in: 10am and 2pm; 750 Anderson Street, Vancouver, WA 98661Parking: Large parking lot south of Howard House on Anderson StreetTour Leader: Richard W. Burrows, Director of Community Outreach and ProgramsPearson Field Education Center Activities Friday, August 25, 2017; 10am and 2pmPearson Field is the oldest continuously operating airfield in the Pacific Northwest and one of the two oldest continuously operating airfields in the United States. Secured in the Pearson Field Education Center hanger are historic period planes, aviation memorabilia, and a host of flight simulators. Examples of the principles of flight abound. Information about pioneer pilots in the Vancouver area is available, as well as the signature Soviet polar route by Chkalov.Walking distance: Inside the building; 500 feet from parking area. ADA accessible.Check-in: 10am and 2pm; 201 East Reserve Street, Vancouver, WA 98661Parking: Adjacent to the hanger in designated spacesTour Leader: Deborah Bessette, Aviation Programs CoordinatorThe Vancouver Barracks Post Cemetery Tour Saturday, August 26, 2017; 10am and 2pmNo matter what someone's rank or social station, death finds us all. The Vancouver Barracks Post Cemetery is the last resting place of many of the people who lived and served at the Vancouver Barracks. This includes a spectrum ranging from prisoners of war, to Medal of Honor recipients; from the "unknowns", to larger than life characters; from soldiers to their families, and everyone in between. Take a walk through the cemetery and meet some of its more notable residents.Walking distance: ?1/2 mile; uneven groundCheck-in: 10am and 2pm; At Cemetery entrance; Just north of East 4th Plain Boulevard & East of I-5; across the street from Clark County Public HealthParking: Inside the cemetery or street parkingTour Leader: Jeff Davis, Vancouver Barracks Military AssociationThe Botanic Tours Sunday, August 27, 2017; 10am-12noon and 2-4pmTwo tours in one. The first is the Land Bridge and its "Ethno-botanical Garden" of native plants, most of which were used by the indigenous people of the area for food, medicine, crafts, building materials, and more. The second is plants typical of mid-19th century England as well as native Pacific Northwest specimens. Expertly guided by knowledgeable botanic enthusiast, Jim Pestillo.Walking distance: 2 miles; some uneven ground. ADA accessible with assistance.Check-in: Old Apple Tree Park at 112 SE Columbia Way.Parking: Park on south side of Columbia Way in Waterfront Trail parking lot.Tour Leader: Jim Pestillo, Botanical Volunteer"David Douglas, Scottish Botanist" Preview/Q&ASunday, August 27, 2017; 12noon-2pmThis is the first film ever produced about David Douglas (1799-1834), the remarkable plant hunter from Scotland. He was commissioned by the Royal Horticultural Society to explore the perilous western parts of North America in the 1820s and 1830s. He is the namesake for the Douglas fir, and Vancouver's David Douglas Park. He was an environmentalist before his time, and encouraged an appreciation of the natural world and how one person's efforts can make a difference. Produced by Lois Leonard, who will take questions at the end of the presentation of the 1 hour film. Combine this with The Botanic Tours, either after the morning session, or before the afternoon session. Make a day of it and bring your brown bag lunch.Walking distance: Easy access from street parking. If combined with The Botanic Tour, it is about ?1/2 mile to and from the reconstruction stockade.Check-in: 12 noon at the Red Cross Building; 605 Barnes Street, Vancouver, WA 98661Parking: Street parking on Barnes Street or Hatheway RoadEvent Moderator: Lois Leonard, Historian, Oregon Cultural Heritage CommissionThe Fort Vancouver Tapestry Monday through Sunday, August 21-27; 12noon-5pmThe Fort Vancouver Tapestry is a surface design embroidered wool on Belgian linen textile narrative of the history of Clark County Washington. The finished piece consists of 70 connected panels of varying widths measuring 28" high and with a total length of 108 running feet. A total of sixty-nine stitchers volunteered in excess of 100,000 hours of creative effort over a six-year period to produce this one of a kind work of art. The upper border includes words of greeting from some of the many ethnic groups that settled the region. On display, again, after a multi-year absence, the Tapestry is seeking a permanent home. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see a piece of history and meet the original stitchers.Walking distance: Inside the buildingCheck-