Trees were planted throughout the
site and it was transformed into a part of the city park. Ever since
the Fort was abandoned the site has
experienced continuing erosion including construction of an
asphalt road through the site, a sewer main and buried power line brought
through the site and an underground sprinkler system installed throughout the site.
Each year an unknown number of artifacts were removed from the site by souvenir
hunters. It was evident that the site must be protected or, in the not too distant
future, there will be nothing remaining from the last of the fur forts on the Upper
Missouri River.
A number of methods to preserve the cultural
resource of the Fort were examined. It has been determined that the most effective
method will be to reconstruct the Fort over the site thereby encapsulating the resource
forever and preventing further degradation and erosion.
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
Historic Fort Benton is being reconstructed as
historically accurate as possible, based on the results of the archaeological excavations
and extensive research.
Included within the reconstruction is:
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The 29, 946 square foot Compound
The Trade Store (1,500 square feet)
The Warehouse(1,625 square feet on each floor)
The Blacksmith - Carpenters Shop (875 square feet)
The original NE Blockhouse (400 square feet on each floor)
The Engagees' Quarters (2,250 square feet on each floor)
The Bourgeois Quarters (2,250 square feet on each floor)
The SW Blockhouse (400 square feet on each floor)
The Kitchen (875 square feet on each floor)
The Barn (1,400 square feet) |
PROJECT PROGRESS
The entire
river side length of the Fort has been re-constructed. Located on
this side of the Fort are: the Trade Store, the Warehouse, the Blacksmith and Carpenter's Shop, and the main "Sally
Port" Gate.
Negotiations with the Blackfeet
Nation, seeking their involvement in interpreting the fur and robe trade,
have taken place. Elders from the Blood or Kainai tribe, the
Siksika, the Northern Piegan or Piikani, and the Southern Piegan or Pikuni
tibes have spent many hours, recording their oral history and remembrances
of Fort Benton, as the first step in developing the Blackfeet Nation's
interpretation. The Restoration Committee and representatives
appointed by the Blackfeet Tribal Council have developed and implemented an
interpretive plan which may now be viewed in the Warehouse interpretive
area.
The
completed Fort buildings are now open to the public.
Guided Tours, which originate at the Museum of the Upper
Missouri, are offered daily, from May through
September.
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