Fort Nisqually Living History Museum - JB Lewis McChord

The Fort Nisqually Living History Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a unique and immersive experience that transports visitors back to the 19th century, offering a glimpse into the life and times of the Pacific Northwest’s early settlers. Nestled within the confines of Point Defiance Park, just a short drive from the base, Fort Nisqually is a meticulously reconstructed Hudson's Bay Company outpost that serves as both an educational resource and a cultural treasure for military families and the broader community.

Originally established in 1833, Fort Nisqually was the first European settlement on Puget Sound and played a pivotal role in the fur trade, agriculture, and early regional development. Today, the Living History Museum recreates the fort’s bustling environment through carefully restored buildings, period-accurate artifacts, and engaging reenactments, offering visitors an authentic taste of 19th-century frontier life.

The museum’s centerpiece is its collection of historic structures, including the granary, factor’s house, and trade store, all restored to their original condition. These buildings are filled with artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the diverse people who lived and worked at the fort, including Native Americans, European settlers, and Métis. Visitors can explore these spaces at their own pace or take guided tours led by knowledgeable interpreters who bring the past to life with stories and demonstrations.

What sets Fort Nisqually apart is its living history component. Throughout the year, costumed interpreters engage in a variety of historical activities, from blacksmithing and carpentry to cooking and farming, using techniques and tools from the 1800s. These reenactments offer visitors a hands-on opportunity to experience history in a way that is both educational and entertaining. Special events, such as the annual Brigade Encampment, further enhance the immersive experience, featuring reenactors from across the region who gather to recreate historical events.

For military families stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum provides not only a fun and educational outing but also a meaningful connection to the region’s rich heritage. It’s a place where history is not just observed but actively experienced, making it a must-visit destination for those looking to explore the roots of the Pacific Northwest.

Accessibility at Fort Nisqually

Parking: There are three designated parking stalls on site. The route to entry is a combination of pavement and compounded wood chips.

Entrance: Main Entrance is the accessible entrance. Historic fenced gate is open during operating hours. Doors into the visitor center require less then 8lb of pressure to open. Staff is available for assistance.

Route: There is a 36″ + wide accessible route through the museum store. The outdoor path is 60″ wide and is a combination of concrete landings and compact gravel. Given that the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum complex is a historically authentic replication, some buildings only have outside viewing opportunities. Where the building allows for accessible routes and turnarounds, ramps into the buildings are provided.

Assistance: Most information, exhibit signage, viewing stations and customer materials are within the 15-48″ reach range and 32-60″ visibility height. Staff is available to provide assistance with out-of-reach items in the Museum Store.

Restrooms: There are two accessible public restrooms in the great room inside the fort. The restrooms at the adjoining picnic site are not accessible.

Viewing: Where viewing capacity is limited, Fort Nisqually staff have developed alternative materials to provide a visual experience.

Sensory Experience: This is primarily an outdoor experience, although many buildings are passed through on a self-guided tour. Guests should make consideration for exposure to natural elements, including allergens.

Fort Nisqually History

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum’s Mission: Engage a diverse regional audience with Puget Sound’s first globally connected settlement through historic preservation, experiential learning, and interpretation.

Fort Nisqually, the first globally connected settlement on the Puget Sound, was established in 1833 by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a fur trading outpost. The decline of the fur trade meant that Fort Nisqually’s focus shifted to commercial agricultural enterprises with the establishment of the Puget Sound Agricultural Company (PSAC) in 1839. Based at Fort Nisqually, the PSAC raised cattle, sheep, and horses along with crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and peas across the 160,000 acres claimed by the company. By 1855, the date the museum portrays, this British establishment was surrounded by American territory and faced increasing pressure from settlers who wanted the farmable land for their own use. The Hudson’s Bay Company sold its holdings to the United States government, withdrawing from Washington Territory in 1869, and Fort Nisqually became the homestead of the last manager, Edward Huggins.

Fort Nisqually was originally located in what is now DuPont, WA. The Fort you see today was reconstructed in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Civic-minded citizens preserved and donated two of the original structures, the Factor’s House and Granary, to the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma. The museum gives residents and visitors a chance to experience what life was like on Puget Sound in 1855.

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum’s mission: Engaging a diverse regional audience with Puget Sound’s first globally connected settlement through historic preservation, experiential learning, and interpretation.