Lewis and Clark National Historical Park presents a free special living history program during the Saturday and Sunday of Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. On Saturday, January 14, and Sunday, January 15, the Fort Clatsop replica will come alive from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition during the park's 11th annual presentation of "Wintering Over: snugly fixed in their huts."


During this two day Wintering Over event, visitors are encouraged to converse with expedition members (portrayed by first-person character interpreters) camped at their Fort Clatsop winter headquarters in 1806. Explore what it is like for these Corps members as they survive off of elk and the good graces of their Clatsop and Chinook neighbors, while preparing to return to the United States. Discover who these people were, where they came from and what their journey has been like so far. Come explore the people behind the story!

Visitors will start with an orientation that will introduce the story of the Corps of Discovery and prepare them to participate in the “Wintering Over” program. First-Person living history interpretation is an experiential program with no script. This allows for a real experience (not a staged event); visitors direct their own discoveries. The Pacific Northwest Living Historians partner with the park to provide this program.

In addition to this event at the fort, there are movies in the visitor center theater. “A Clatsop Winter Story,” a 22-minute movie about the 1805-06 winter from a Clatsop Indian perspective, will be offered each hour. Also, “Lewis and Clark: Confluence of Time and Courage,” a 34-minute movie about the entire voyage, will be available.

A unit of the National Park Service, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Fort Clatsop is located southwest of Astoria, Oregon, three miles east of U.S. Highway 101. The park, including the visitor center, fort, trails, and the parking lots, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Lewis and Clark NHP also maintains the Salt Works site in Seaside. Come and visit these sites during the time of year the expedition stayed on the coast. Admission to the park, and all National Parks, is free for this holiday weekend. For further information, call the park at 503-861-2471 ext. 214 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/lewi. Follow us on Facebook at Lewis and Clark NHP for more information and pictures.