Hands on History: By Land and By Sea

Buildings of Sutter's Fort behind high walls; train of pack mules, horses, and people crossing small bridge over river in foreground. Original caption: View of Sutter's Fort, near Sacramento City, California.Clipping from: Gleason's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion. Printed (on verso): F. Gleason, publisher and proprietor, Boston, Mass

Continuing a popular series of interactive and fun “Hands on History” activities, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park will present a special “Hands on History: By Land and By Sea” event on Saturday, February 16.  Through exciting demonstrations and fun hands-on activities, docents will help Fort visitors understand the two different ways emigrants originally came to California -- by land or by sea -- while sharing the unique challenges they faced and what daily life was like during their journeys.  As an event highlight, the Mexican-American war fife and drum corps will be visiting Sutter’s Fort SHP to take part in special activities that include a visually-exciting flag raising ceremony, marching demonstrations and more!  Multiple hands-on activities await Fort visitors as they will help pack a wagon or trunk, make choices about what to bring along for their “journey of a lifetime,” learn how to use a nautical compass, hoist a laden barrel, weave rope and simple knots, create maps with available resources, and even join the Navy and receive pay in Stonington Bank $2 bills. For more information about this special “Hands on History” event, or other events and activities at Sutter’s Fort, call 916-445-4422 or visit www.suttersfort.org