I was at a on line writer’s conference recently and one of the authors doing a round table discussion writes historical western and has an Oregon Trail series. Rachel Wesson is her name. and if you’ve never read her books, they’re fantastic! Anyway, she mentioned that researching the topic was a bit depressing as she couldn’t get over the amount of people that died along the way (she’s from Ireland) and that she didn’t want to have to research that again! Can’t say as I blame her. Coming West was not for sissies! I myself have only written one book that takes place on the Oregon Trail for most of the story. As I’m from Oregon, to research, all I have to do is toddle to Oregon City and pay a visit to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
If you’ve never been, the center is a must-see for any history buff or anyone interested in learning about the stories of the pioneers who traversed the famous trail in search of a better life. Literally located at the end of the Oregon Trail, the Interpretive Center houses exhibits and displays that offer a glimpse into the hardships and triumphs of those who made the journey over 150 years ago.
I remember going there when my daughter was in grade school on a field trip. The kids weren’t near as interested in the displays as we adults were. For many of us, it was our first visit.
Upon entering the center, visitors are greeted by a life-sized covered wagon, complete with a team of oxen ready for the journey westward. The exhibits are organized chronologically, starting with “The Journey Begins” and ending with “Life Beyond the Trail.” One display showcases the different types of wagons that were used and highlights their features. Another exhibit details how pioneers navigated the rough terrain and dealt with harsh weather conditions.
There are also interactive displays. These allow visitors to experience aspects of life on the trail firsthand; one such display lets visitors load up a covered wagon with supplies and see if they can get it to fit properly. There is also a display that allows visitors to trade goods with one another, which teaches about bartering and commerce during this time period. You can even dress up, make some butter and dip some candles!
The center also features an outdoor area that replicates a pioneer encampment. Visitors can stroll through a wagon encampment and view period-accurate items such as clothing, tools, and furniture. The area also has live demonstrations by costumed interpreters who explain what life was like on the trail and answer questions.
That’s the way I like to research. Go experience it. There are groups here in Oregon that walk part of the Oregon Trail every summer, dressed as pioneers. As Philip Foster’s Farm isn’t far from where I live, and I pass it whenever I go to my big sister’s house, I sometimes see a family of pioneers walking along the large grassy area near the highway, getting a taste of what it was like. I know people who belong to other historical groups, who’ve done week long treks in a wagon train of up to thirty wagons! They say it’s a blast, but also say they couldn’t imagine months worth of travel. Let’s face it, the pioneers had it rough, and faced a lot of dangers. One of the biggest being cholera. Still, they forged on and the rest is history.
So if you have a chance to experience some history, go for it. It’s much nicer than reading up on a subject, though that’s what most of us do. One of these days I’ll make it to Williamsburg and Gettysburg. They’re on my bucket list. And, if you’re ever in Oregon, be sure to pay a visit to Oregon City and the end of the Oregon Trail!
Have you ever been to a replica of a fort, old west town, or a place like Williamsburg? Was it fun? Oh, and the book I wrote with a family heading west on the Oregon Trail? You can all grab a free copy of Trail to Clear Creek.
41 thoughts on “The Oregon Trail and a Give Away!”
Comments are closed.
I have never been to any of the places you mentioned, but I think it would be a great trip. I would love to visit an old west town or Williamsburg.
If you ever get the chance, go. I also think it would be fun to tour some ghost towns.
Thank you for the book! I live near a history museum called Sauder Village. It portrays how people came into northwest Ohio and settled the black swamp. They show an early pioneer settlement, then a later settlement with some of the buildings being original. They just added a 1920s town.
Oh wow, how cool!
I have been to several places like that and I love visiting them!
Me to, Rhonda, they’re so much fun!
I’ve been to Williamsburg, to a fort in Michigan, and to Saunder Village in Ohio which is more of an interactive museum. They were interesting.
Someone else mentioned Saunder Village. I’ll have to look that up. I’ve never heard of it.
I loved this book, and all the rest that followed this family. My husband and I love road trips and on the last one we visited some of the places along the Oregon Trail. We went to Fort Laramie, Independence Rock, Chimney Rock and a place where you can still see wagon tracks. I am convinced I would not have survived the Oregon Trail. Last year for our 50th wedding anniversary, we went to Williamsburg for 3 days. It was fascinating. We have been to other historic sited too numerous to mention.
Oh wow, Elaine! What fun road trips! I’ve always wanted to do something like that!
Hey Kit! Thanks for the free book and your post! I thought of the vacations our parents took my brothers and I on. That was semi roughing in a 1960’s pop up camper. We did have a Coleman grill and ice chests. We capped for a week in the mountains in June and Panama City Beach in August. I told my mother how that could be relaxing with three children and always cooking and cleaning up the camp?? LOL But, the Oregon Trail would have been a hundred times rougher!
I’ve seen a few forts over the years mainly the southeast of the states. Enjoyed watching the reenactments or the locals dressed in pioneer clothes making or growing what they did back in the day.
I love re-enactments! There are some civil war re-enactments here in Oregon but not much else.
I’ve been to Williamsburg and Gettysburg many times. G-burg is less than 2 hours away and Williamsburg is about 5.
Saw reenactors at a local museum at a state park.
I’ve been to lots of living history museums.
I have a friend from high school who is a reenactor and he was in a major movie.
One of these days I’ll make it there. And I love watching re-enactors! That must have been a blast for your friend!
I live near Martin’s Cove, which is a historical site with maps, guides dressed in period costume, & several buildings set up to be both interactive & to view clothing & activities from the pioneer days! There is a movie that portrays an a boy who’s journal it follows! They have handcarts that you can borrow & pull up into the cove & there are well maintained trails that you can hike! It’s also a working ranch! It’s all done extremely well & we love going there!
I’ll have to look that up, Amy. I’ve never heard of Martin’s cove.
We went to Williamsburg a year ago. It was fabulous! I feel so blessed that my husband and kids enjoy historical things like I do. We’re hoping to make it to Oregon City someday. My son and I love learning about the Oregon Trail.
I have a lot of author friends who’ve been there, Christy. They all said it was fabulous too!
I live in Arizona and there are a lot of ghost towns here. I have visited several ad enjoyed earning about the history of those areas.
I’ve heard there are lots of ghost towns in your neck of the woods. I’ve always wanted to explore Arizona.
I’m a history buff and major, and I’ve been to hundreds of great historical places. I wish that I’d kept a log of them all. It’s no surprise that Christian historical romance is my favorite genre.
Just think of the travel log you would have had!
Good morning, and yes I have been to old Forts and I find them very interesting, I like seeing all the vintage things. Your book sounds like a great read and I love the book cover! Have a great week.
For this book I purchased a Pioneer Survival Guide that was written back in the 1850’s. It’s a reprint and fascinating!
never been to any place mentioned but boy would that be an experience to go
I have been to Williamsburg and all sorts of original and recreated forts and towns. Some are better than others, but still fun.
I agree, some are better than others! But still fun!
thanks for the book. I look forward to reading it. as a family we went to The Trail of Tears. saw lots and learned a lot. I have been to Williamsburg in my senior year of high school. That was way too cool. As a family we visited a number of forts. that was fun.
I think the last historical site I went to was in Montana. And Deadwood.
I got ready to get your free book and I already had it. Thanks for the offer. Guess that’s a sign I need to get it read.
Loved the information about the Oregon Trail. I have been very interested in it since I was young. Unfortunately there wasn’t much available to read about it back in those years. And museums were certainly not interactive then.
LOL! I’m sure you’re not the only one, Linda who might already have it. Oregon has another interactive Oregon Trail Museum in Baker City that’s cool.
I have been to a few of the old west places and enjoyed them very much! Thanks for a copy of your book!
Kit!!!! I’m so excited you wrote an Oregon Trail book. I have been interested in the Oregon Trail since I was a girl and I’m 60 years old now. In High School I did my Research paper on it. I live in NC and I’ll probably never get to see the museum in Oregon. I have been to Cherokee Reservation here in the Smokey Mtn. and they have a museum and the have The Trail of Tears section in it. Amazing and so sad! I’ve never been to Gettysburg but my son has been there several times. Thank you for the book!!
If you like Oregon Trail books check out Rachel Wesson’s books.
I have been to Gettysburg and also Bent’s Fort in southeast Colorado near my hometown of Las Animas. It looks much like it would have been in the Old West Days. It was a trading post made by the Bent brothers. Kit Carson hung out there. And Zebulon Pike too, the discoverer of Pike’s Peak near Colorado Springs.
What fun! Another great place is Virginia City in Nevada.
My husband and I have done lots of traveling over the majority of the United States. During these times we have visited, Williamsburg, VA (which I fell in love with and would go back in a minute!), an old time fort near Helena, MT where they had a very small jail, a saloon, general store and, of course, log walls. Then we visited battlegrounds out east from the Civil War. These were Yorktown, Antietam, Chicamauga and others I cannot recall the names of. My husband can spend hours looking, reading and going back and looking again. I got so borrredd!! I love to sight see as well. We also visited a history museum which just happens to be build overtop the interstate in Nebraska near Kearney, NE. It was from covered wagon to cars and pickups with luggage and maybe a mattress tied on top of them. Very educational. We love these kinds of travels.
Wow, you’ve done some traveling, Judy!
I can’t think of a time that have been to a place like that. Although there is a place around here where they have it set up for The Battle of Perryville that happen during the Civil War and they reenact the battle every year.
We have been to replicas of forts and many reconstructed forts. Fort Ticonderoga in northern New York State Is well done and has wonderful reenactments. My sister lives across the river from Williamsburg and we have been to visit it and Jamestown multiple times. Both are well worth the visit. Many years ago we stopped at a museum along the Oregon Trail which had displays similar to the one at the end of the trail. We travel for history and nature. We stope at every site we can and have been lucky enough to have been around for some special events. We now live just outside the oldest town in TN. It has retained its historic character and there are several historic sites in our area: David Crockett Birthplace State Park, reconstructed Fort Watauga State Park, Andrew Johnson National Park, and the Biltmore Estate to name a few. If you get a chance, try to make the Mountain Man Rendezvous at Ft. Bridger, WY. It was wonderful. There are others around the West.
Years ago, the state of Virginia had an anniversary celebration. As part of it they had a wagon train that traveled around part of the state ending at the State Fair Grounds. Our daughter was part of the wagon train for part of the time. She was an out rider dealing with traffic since the trip was on roads. I have been a docent at a historical house and participated in festivals and events, in costume, either demonstrating or helping out.
I love history and one of my favorite BOARD GAMES, not computer is Conestoga about traveling the Oregon trail. I love it! If you don’t know what it is you can Google it and see pictures. I don’t know that you can still buy it. Basically it’s two boards, one half is arriving at the point to travel the Oregon trail and the other half is crossing it. It’s a really cool game.