Johanna Jones and Lee McDonald believe local history binds the city of DuPont to Fort Lewis.

“We enjoy sharing with the public heritage based events,” said McDonald, the president of the DuPont Historical Society, as she stood near a historical display in the DuPont Museum.

Located at 207 Barksdale Ave., the museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays.

“We are literally the gateway to Puget Sound’s history,” added Jones as she looked over another display.

The display of history the two women are anxious to showcase is the city of DuPont’s third annual Fort Nisqually Site Celebration. The DuPont Historical Society, the Museum and the Nisqually Tribe are hosting the celebration.

In the spring of 1833, the British owned Hudson Bay Company, or HBC, constructed a temporary post — called Nisqually House — near the mouth of Sequalitchew Creek. Later that year, the company moved its operations and built Fort Nisqually.

Ten years later in 1843, the post was relocated a mile farther inland to a site on the south bank of Sequalitchew Creek. From 1843 to 1870, the HBC controlled Fort Nisqually served as a business center and multicultural community. 

“Think of Fort Nisqually as the Wal-Mart of America of the time,” said McDonald with a smile. “It offered a lot.”

Behind the smile is a significant historical event McDonald and Jones want to share.

On Saturday, Aug. 23, from noon to 4 p.m. the public is invited to relive and learn about a part of the area’s history. The event takes place on the original 1843 Hudson’s Bay Company Fort Nisqually site on Center Drive, across the street from the Civic Center in DuPont.

The black locust trees on the site today were planted by HBC employees.

“There is a direct connection from the past to the present,” commented Jones.

The fort’s buildings were moved and recreated at Point Defiance in Tacoma in 1934.  Many Nisqually tribal members are descendents of the employees who worked at the HBC settlement.

The celebration includes a salmon bake prepared by Nisqually tribal members, a viewing of a tribal canoe, guided tours, an antique gun display, historic re-enactors in costume, and more.

Admission is free and is open to the public.  For those wishing to attend the salmon bake, the cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

“This event helps to connect the community of DuPont to Fort Lewis,” said McDonald. “We have a shared heritage.”

For more information about the celebration, call the museum at (253) 964-2399 or visit www.dupontmuseum.com.