Fort Ross 2012 Bicentennial Public Forum

Please Join us

Tuesday, February 23, 2010   5:30 PM

Fort Ross State Historic Park and the Fort Ross 2012 Steering Committee are pleased to invite the general public in preparation of the Bicentennial Commemoration of Fort Ross in 2012.  All stakeholders are invited to participate.  The Fort Ross 2012 Steering Committee is seeking partnerships with committees and organizations.  The Fort Ross 2012 Steering Committee (FR2012SC) is representing The California State Park, Fort Ross State Historic Park, and the Fort Ross Interpretive Association.  Please join us!

The mission of Fort Ross 2012 is to commemorate the 200 years of natural, cultural and human history of Fort Ross (known today as Fort Ross State Historic Park), increase public interest and preserve the rich and vital legacy for future generations through a series of special events featuring the diverse influences of many people, including Kashaya and Coast Miwok Indians, Russians, Native Alaskans, Spanish, Mexican and Americans.

Do you love talking about and sharing with people all the wonderful stories that surround Fort Ross? Or California history!  Are you an artist, a photographer, or do you love to participate in plays, or write poetry, do you like to work with children, or travel, do you like to work with your hands to create lasting memories, or are you a planner or an office worker or do you love to share stories, are you good at weaving or do you like hosting people from other countries – in particular Russia and Alaska? Are you willing to host an exhibit based on natural or cultural history of this place and the people. There are so many possibilities.  We envision that the celebration in 2012 will take place not only on the grounds of Fort Ross, but throughout the Bay Area and Sacramento and, perhaps throughout the United States and abroad.

To learn more about this event please visit the website at www.fortross2012.org

• Bicentennial goals, objectives and initial plans;
• Special event guidelines and documents;
• Committees, fundraising activities, and other opportunities for public involvement.

Almost 200 years ago, in 1812, on a stretch of the Pacific Ocean 80 miles north of San Francisco and previously un-colonized by Europeans, Russian explorers established what was to become Russia’s deepest vanguard  into North America, Colony Ross, with the primary purpose of producing food to support the Russian settlements in Alaska as well expanding the valuable sea otter trade. 

Although the Russian American Company stayed for just three decades their contributions to early California society were vast – they built California’s first ships and windmills, introduced glass-paneled windows, catalogued the local flora and fauna, completed detailed maps and were, by today’s standards, among California’s earliest entrepreneurs.

Fort Ross is an excellent example of the best of California and what is has to offer the world:  a rich history and diverse cultural legacy, beautiful nature and dedicated people.

We believe that the rich and diverse history associated with 200 years of existence of Fort Ross provides an excellent opportunity to work cooperatively in the development of exhibits, shows, symposia, and concerts which will provide insights into the time when Fort Ross was put the map and also reflect on the establishment of California as a state, on the contributions of different nations and on quests of individuals and organizations then and now.

Please contact the Steering Committee members for more information:

            Robin Joy – Chair of FR2012SC  frinterp@parks.ca.gov

Hank Birnbaum - State Park  frinterp@parks.ca.gov

Jeremy Stinson jstinson@parks.ca.gov

Irina Dyatlovskaya: irinad@artsiberia.org

Tom Wright – FRIA board: tandcwright@yahoo.com

Sarah Sweedler – FRIA board: sarah@sweedster.com

Konstantine Kudryavtsev– FRIA board: kk@fortsun.com

Vana Lawson - Kashaya Representative

Anne Swoveland or Joseph Byron - Coast Miwok Representative

Sasha Lindgren - Alaskan Representative

 

Hope you can join us!  

Think California – Think Fort Ross