Friends of Fort Vancouver News

"Founder of Washougal, WA" Our story explores the life of Betsy Ough, founder of Washougal, WA. Born into a Cascade tribe, her Indian name translated meant "White Wing." Her tribal village was located at today's Parker's Landing on the Columbia River and her father was Chief Schlyhouse.  In her early twenties, White Wing met a British trader a...

Part 1 — Stories of 19th Century Women Who Influenced Clark County Welcome to the podcast series of the Friends of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This series gives voice to the "Forgotten Stories of Clark County Women – The Voices Seldom Heard." In the 19th century the population of Clark County, WA, increased dramatically from the size of ...

"Architect, Teacher & Roman Catholic Nun" This story highlights Mother Joseph of the Sisters of Providence who was born Esther Pariseau in Laval Canada in 1823. At age 20, she entered the order of Sisters of Charity of Providence and took the name "Joseph" in honor of her father. He was a carpenter and his daughter sooner became an accomplished...

Amanda Keith wrote a lovely article, "Friends of Fort Vancouver Tells the Rich Story of a Historic and Culture Site through Programs and Retail," for the Public Lands Alliance highlighting Fort Vancouver and the work of The Friends of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Her article shares a wonderful overview of the extensive...

 It's redundant to say that year 2020 has been a most "unusual" year. At a time when we sought warm embraces, laughter and at least a smidgeon of kindness, 2020 introduced us to facemasks, social distancing and deadly disease. Setting the present aside, let's step back in time to the 19th century at the Fort Vancouver historic site and Clark C...