The National Park Trust Preserves Historic Landscape Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

National Park Trust
Monday, 24 September 2001

WASHINGTON, DC - The National Park Trust (NPT), along with the Friends of Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site & Fort Buford, and North Star Caviar, announced the acquisition of a critical 11.84-acre parcel of land directly across the Missouri River from the historic Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.

"This is a perfect example of how private organizations, friends groups, and businesses can work together to protect America's national treasures, our parklands," noted NPT President, Paul Pritchard.

Purchase of this property not only enables restoration and preservation of the historic and cultural landscape of the national park site, but it will enhance visitor understanding and enjoyment of the park as well. The property will also provide a visual and noise buffer between the native river environment in front of the fort and the nearby agricultural activities. By establishing the buffer, the National Park Service (NPS) hopes to provide visitors with a better sense of how the site appeared when Fort Union Trading Post was active between 1829 and 1867.

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, which was authorized in 1966, is located 25 miles southwest of Williston, North Dakota. It was the principal fur-trading post of the American Fur Company on the upper Missouri River. The post served the Assiniboine, Crow, Cree, Ojibway, and Blackfeet tribes. When NPS acquired the site in 1966 it was completely covered in grass. NPS excavated the stone foundations of the original fort, uncovering many artifacts relating to life at the fort. Then, between 1985 and 1991, they began reconstructing the Bourgeois House, the walls and stone bastions, and several other structures.

Superintendent Andy Banta continued efforts to provide an authentic mid-19th century setting surrounding the post site shortly after being assigned to Fort Union four years ago. "Acquisition of this particular parcel of land was our highest priority. When the established means to purchase the property failed," said Superintendent Banta, "we turned to the National Park Trust.

While negotiating for land it is important to have the support of organizations like NPT who understand that the long-term protection of land for national parks will pay dividends far into the future. Their commitment of funds allowed us to continue negotiations with the landowner. The support from the National Park Trust, the Friends of Fort Union & Fort Buford, and North Star Caviar in obtaining the land along the Missouri River has been invaluable for Fort Union Trading Post NHS."

For more information on how you can help, contact Barbara Zurhellen, NPT's Western Regional Director, at (541) 955-4534 or barbara@parktrust.org.

The National Park Trust is the only land conservancy dedicated to preserving America's national system of parks, wildlife and historic monuments.

North Star Caviar is a non-profit community entity that utilizes the caviar from fish caught by local fishermen. All of their profits go into community projects.

The Friends of Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site was established in 1984 to promote the preservation, interpretation and development of Fort Union Trading Post and Fort Buford, the Sitting Bull surrender site.

For more information, or to contact National Park Trust, see their website at: www.parktrust.org