This morning Uncle Pooge took us to see Sutter's Fort in Sacramento. The fort was founded by Johann Augustus Sutter, who called the place "New Helvetia". It was an important part of the formation and settlement of California, and acted as a trading post before morphing into a fortified agricultural and industry center. The fort is famous for its assistance to the Donner party in 1846 and the discovery of gold 40 miles away at Sutter's sawmill in 1848.
The structure standing there today is a slightly smaller replica of the original fort.
Inside the fort's compound:
There were several hundred school kids at the fort while we were visiting, so it got a little crowded. Some of the kids were dressed up in costumes and were part of a program where they got to spend a night at the fort.
Weaving demonstrations
An immigrant room, where westward pioneers stayed.
Cannons up in the fort's bastion. Although the fort was stocked with a variety of muskets, cannons and rifles they were never fired in defense of the fort.
Paintings depicting scenes from the fort.
A model of the original fort, including the cattle and horse corals outside the fort.
The coopers shop, where barrels, kegs, butter churns, buckets and other containers were built for the fort. One year Johann Sutter ordered the cooper to make 1,000 barrels!
Standing in the east yard of the fort.
The central building of the fort, which housed the parlor and dining room along with the clerk's, doctor's and Sutter's offices.
The guard room.
Both Michaela and Uncle Pooge got excited when they saw all the guns and muskets :)
Look at the size of the first musket in the rack! Uncle Pooge said it took two men to fire it!
The west yard of the fort, where the well stood.
The trade store where shoes, cloth, barrels, tin ware, candles, hoes and other necessary supplies could be purchased.
The candle shop where the school kids were learning how to make hand dipped candles.
Uncle Pooge exploring.
The blacksmith's shop.
The Gunsmith's shop where guns were built and repaired.
Quarters for those who worked at the fort.
The kids were trying there hand at lassoing a steer like a vaquero (Spanish for "cowboy").
The fort's gift shop was really nice and had a large quantity of books! We were leisurely browsing the shelves when all of a sudden the cashier said, "You have to leave the gift shop now!"
Somewhat confused, we looked around. Was there a fire or something else the matter?
"They're about to fire the cannon!" she exclaimed. "And you can't be in the gift shop!"
Emily had already chosen some items and asked, "Can I check out first?"
Somewhat reluctantly the cashier said, "Yes. But hurry!"
After quickly making our purchase we were hustled out to the fort's yard, where all the kids were gathered. Some of the kids were dressed up as notable figures from the fort and were "interviewed" about their historical importance. Then, with much fanfare the cannon was loaded and fired. They did a nice job of explaining the steps to loading the cannon and the kids loved it, but we did have to smile about all the to-do made over one cannon...
The kids who were staying at the fort lining up for their lunch.
A charming scene of the historical fort, complete with fresh bottled water! :)
One of the fort's two main gates.
It was kind of unique with the fort being right in the heart of Sacramento.
The clerk's office inside the central fort building.
The weaving room where blankets were made for the fort.
The outer walls of the fort.
For lunch we ate at a Subway that had Phineas and Ferb painted on the windows!
After coming back home we went to the town of Concord to visit a bookstore and the farmer's market. Aunt Carole told Emily that Peet's had good coffee so she had to stop :)
Half Priced Books was awesome!!! The store was simply loaded with books!
Michaela was in her element...
This is Michaela's pile after she'd already winnowed out some! She had to keep reminding herself that all the books she got would have to fit in her suitcase.
Michaela ended up with 4 books:
The American Heritage New History of the Civil War by Bruce Catton
The Rebel Yell & the Yankee Hurrah by Private John W. Haley
The Eloquent President by Ronald C. White, Jr.
1863, Turning Point of the Civil War by Time Life Editors
Emily got 3 books:
Civil War Fact Book by Peter Darman
The Encyclopedia of Civil War Usage by Webb Garrison
The Great American Depression Book of Fun by John O'Dell
After the bookstore we walked around the farmer's market. The whole event had the feeling of a fair, with lots of people, kettle corn and a band playing!
Michaela with her spoils.
Emily and Michaela with their books.
Uncle Pooge bought Aunt Carole a pretty bouquet she had wanted, so she pretended to look surprised.
We finished up the day with a delicious dinner on the patio!
-Michaela and Emily
Too much awesomeness for one post - I love seeing you two in history nerd heaven together!!! Now where is the computer book aisle haahaha :) I can't even show the girls this post or they will sit and scream at the Phineas and Ferb pictures the rest of the day...
ReplyDeleteTell Aunt Carole she looks SO convincingly surprised and I love her very seasonally appropriate dinner spread :) Wish I was there to eat it with ya'll!!!