gates – Nebraska Museums Association https://www.nebraskamuseums.org Inspiring Lives, Inspiring Minds Wed, 19 Jan 2022 17:57:40 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.nebraskamuseums.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/cropped-NMA-Color-Logo-32x32.jpg gates – Nebraska Museums Association https://www.nebraskamuseums.org 32 32 Fort Atkinson State Historical Park https://www.nebraskamuseums.org/nebraska-150-museum/31-of-150-nebraska-museums-for-the-150th/ Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:00:49 +0000 http://www.nebraskamuseums.org/?p=1529 Organization:

Nebraska Game and Parks Fort Atkinson State Historical Park

Established: 1961 Physical Location/Address: 201 South 7th Street City: Fort Calhoun County: Washington Hours: The Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Organization’s email: ngpc.fort.atkinson@nebraska.gov Organization’s Phone: (402) 468-5611 Link to website or Social Media: http://outdoornebraska.gov/fortatkinson/ Special events or exhibits relating to Nebraska’s 150: Washington County Heritage Days Sept 30-Oct1 Description: The first U.S. military post west of the Missouri River, Fort Atkinson was established in 1820 on recommendation of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Located at Fort Calhoun, the fort was important to the early fur trade, river traffic and Indian relations. It was an active fort until 1827.

Much of the historic outpost has been reconstructed, and interpretive work continues. Living history demonstrations are scheduled periodically during the summer.

History

Fort Atkinson had its genesis with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. After stopping in the area, Clark noted in his journal that the site provided a very suitable location for a fort. More than a decade later, Fort Atkinson was established. It was a large garrison: at its peak, it held nearly one quarter of the standing U.S. Army, approximately 1,200 soldiers. The fort protected the growing western fur trade, and as the only governmental authority in the vast territory west of the Missouri, it also enforced peaceful relations between traders and the Indian tribes of the region. It operated from 1820 to 1827.

After the Army realigned its forces to the south, Fort Atkinson was abandoned, and the area converted to farmland. In 1961, local concern prompted a drive to preserve and restore the area. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission purchased the land two years later, and undertook a 20-year effort to reconstruct the fort. Today, much of the fort has been rebuilt, including barracks, gates, an armorer’s shop, the council house and the Sutler Store.

Fort Atkinson on Fourth of July weekend. Soldiers firing their muskets. Nguyen, July 6, 2013. Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Fort Atkinson on Fourth of July weekend. Soldiers marching.
]]>