American Exploration and Fur Trade National Historic Landmarks in the American Northwest
Project ID: P25AC00926
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Portland State University
Fiscal Year: 2025
Initial Funding: $85,000
Total Funding: $85,000
Project Type: Research
Principal Investigator: Deur, Doug
Agreement Technical Representative: Jackson-Retondo, Elaine
Abstract:
Performance Goals -This is a collaborative undertaking to carry out essential investigations and provide technical support relating to National Historic Landmarks at places of singular importance in Pacific Northwest fur trade history. The National Park Service (NPS) National Historic Preservation (NHP) Programs support technical assistance to Federal agencies (excluding NPS), State, Tribal, and local governments and private proponents in the identification, evaluation, documentation, and designation of National Historic Landmarks (NHLs). The NHP Programs also set standards for historic preservation and provide technical and financial preservation assistance.
The goal of this project is to enable NPS to collaborate with the recipient to make necessary investigations of historic and archeological sites, buildings, structures, objects, and districts of exceptional value as commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States for the inspiration and benefit of its people. The NPS, Interior Regions 8, 9, 10, and 12 Preservation Partnerships Program (PWR-PPP) plans to nominate one or more properties that are related to contributions tied to American history within Interior Region 9 and 10 as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) and/or update existing NHL nominations that are outdated. These nominations address landmarks that were key to the early fur trade, likely including but not limited to, Fort Astoria (Oregon) and Chinook Point (Washington); other fur trade sites on the Lower Columbia River may also be considered. The first explorations of the Pacific Northwest by Americans and the influence of fur trade companies (British and American) on settlement and Native American cultures are themes that will be addressed in the nominations. Many of the exploration and fur trade posts have reached their 200th year of establishment and many of the early, important NHLs were first nominated over 70 years ago. New information from archaeology and historical documentary research suggest that new sites may be worthy of nomination or that information gathered in the last 70 years regarding the history and archaeology of these places can greatly improve existing NHL nominations.
This project will prepare one or more Letters of Inquiry (LOI) that will seek NHL nominations) for these historic properties, then draft at least one NHL nomination that will synthesize, analyze, and summarize multiple sources of information to address nationally significant historic events and people, within the context of American exploration and the role of the fur trade in settlement within the Pacific Northwest of the United States and their contributions to American history (determined in consultation with the PWR-PPP).
The primary purpose of this project is not the acquisition of property or services for the direct benefit or use by the Federal Government, but rather to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation. The project will promote greater public and private participation in historic preservation programs and activities by evaluating and documenting nationally significant historic properties. NHL nominations will aid property owners by providing information that they may find useful in the preservation and management of their property. The nomination could also serve as a marketing and fundraising tool to support long-term stewardship of the property.