Ft. Union Rendezvous

Ever heard that the only way to understand someone is to take a walk in their shoes? Well...some historical reenactors in our area have taken that to heart... And our Catherine Ross took a trip back in time with them today...to *rendezvous* with the traditions of the old West. (fiddle nats) The sights and sounds of the American West have come alive at the Fort Union Trading Post...as casual observers and history buffs alike unite for the annual rendezvous. (nats)? It’s a tradition that goes back to the 1800s, when trappers would get together for two weeks a year... (Randy Kane/Chief Ranger) andamp;quot;There would be recreation and everything else. Trappers came in from the mountains and they would bring their beaver pelts and other hides for trade goods. Once they traded all their furs, they would trade for just enough to go back to the mountains and trap again.andamp;quot; (Catherine Ross) andamp;quot;In the 1800s, an event like this would be the modern version of a swap meet. Today, the focus is a little more on reenacting, but you can still pick up a turtle shell for about seven bucks.andamp;quot; (nats blacksmith) The reenactors at Fort Union range from blacksmiths to weavers...Jefferson Brown drives from andamp;lt;a href=andamp;quot; class=andamp;quot;kxInlineLinkandamp;quot;andamp;gt;Idahoandamp;lt;/aandamp;gt; every year to participate. He says he represents an important part of the American West's past. (Jefferson Brown/Reenactor) andamp;quot;The voyagers were the canoemen of the fur trade...really they were the backbone of the fur trade. This was the longest-lived trading post in the United States...fur trading post. By some miracle, it's almost all been recreated, most of it has been rebuilt. It's easier to conjure back the 1850s, 1830s or 1840s when the fort is here.andamp;quot; (Randy Kane) andamp;quot;To me, the most interesting thing is the human drama. How people survived in different environmen...

Channel: ClipSyndicate Video Length: 0s Date Found: Thu, Aug 06 2009 2:17 AM Category: News Date Produced: Thu, Jun 18 2009 9:23 AM View Count: 0