Fort Mandan offers visitors a unique chance to step back to a bygone era during their visit to the reconstructed fort. From 1804 to 1805, Fort Mandan was the Lewis and Clark Expedition's winter home. The fully-furnished rooms bring history to life as guests explore what life was like for Corps of Discovery's brave men more than two hundred years ago during the North Dakota winter.
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What is Fort Mandan?
- Fort Mandan is a reconstructed fort located along the Missouri River in a riparian forest.
- The fort allows visitors to step into the past and experience the smells, sounds, and sights of the early 19th century.
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What can visitors see at Fort Mandan?
- The fort is historically furnished with accurate reproductions to reflect the living conditions of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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Notable items include:
- Field desk used by Meriwether Lewis
- Map-making tools used by William Clark
- Field equipment used during the Expedition
- Bunks, clothes, and a blacksmith forge used by the crew
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Are guided tours available at Fort Mandan?
- Yes, interpreters provide tours and programs from April to October.
- Tours focus on the winter home (1804-1805) of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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What is there to do near Fort Mandan?
- Visitors can explore the natural environment of the Missouri River.
- Interpretive walking trails under a cottonwood canopy connect the fort to Fahlgren Memorial Park.
- Fahlgren Park offers picnic shelters and a children’s play area.
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What historical significance does Fort Mandan have?
- During the winter of 1804-1805, members of the nearby Mandan-Hidatsa villages helped Lewis and Clark plot maps and prepare for their expedition to the Pacific Ocean.
- It was at Fort Mandan that the Expedition met Sacagawea, the young Native American woman who would aid their journey.
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What is the Fort Mandan Visitor Center?
- The Visitor Center is designed based on a Mandan earthlodge.
- It features a classroom space, a museum store, and modern restroom facilities.
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Are there educational programs for students?
- Yes, Fort Mandan and the nearby Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center provide interactive learning experiences for students.
- Programs include immersive exhibits, replica fort tours, art displays, and trained interpretive staff.
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Are group or bus tours available?
- Yes, Fort Mandan welcomes bus and group tours.
- Special rates are offered through the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation for groups that schedule in advance.
- Highly trained staff can customize programming to meet the needs of any group.
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Who manages Fort Mandan?
- The fort is managed by the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
- The foundation is supported by individuals, corporations, and other foundations throughout the state and worldwide.
- Its mission is to celebrate history, culture, and art.
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What is the contact information for Fort Mandan?
- 2576 8th Street SW, Washburn, North Dakota, Phone: 877-462-8535
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