Listening to historical illustrator Alan Archambault talk about a period of history is akin to reliving the event.

"I picked up on the vibes of history when I was a boy," Archambault said as we recently sat and talked in one of the four remaining quarters of Fort Steilacoom.

Born in Warwick, R.I, Archambault lived in an historical house that dated to colonial times.  "I even found a British Brown Bess bayonet," he said with a glint of excitement in his eyes.

While in high school, he pursued his interest in history and art, and by the time he graduated had determined to serve in the military. "I joined the Army; I wanted to serve," Archambault said.

The Army utilized his drawing abilities, and he served with an engineering battalion where he drew maps and construction plans.

Leaving the service in 1972, Archambault enrolled at Rhode Island College, where he earned a degree with an emphasis in Fine Art and History.

"I'm glad to have served in the Army, and I wanted to use art to continue to serve," he continued.

After working at the Providence Journal newspaper, the Rhode Islander magazine and other publications as a freelance artist, Archambault found full-time work in 1980 as a museum technician at Fort Meade in Maryland.

Smart, dedicated and engaging, by 1987 he had become the museum's director. "I was looking for a change of pace, something different," Archambault said. "So I applied for the position of director at Fort Lewis."

Soon after arrival, Archambault set to work upgrading and improving the museum and its exhibits. He employed a managerial style that served him well during his stay at Fort Lewis. "I told my staff that I worked for them, that I wanted to bring history to serve the Soldiers and the community."

The Fort Lewis Museum grew under Archambault's guidance. "Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf was here then, and after he left Gen. Bill Harrison, who was very supportive, helped with the expansion."

The work added to the appeal of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the local community.

In 2008, Archambault left to relocate to Washington, DC. "It was nice to be back east, and I was closer to my daughter who was stationed on the east coast," Archambault said.

For the next three years, he worked at Fort McNair and oversaw 14 museums throughout Forces Command.

By 2011, he returned to the Pacific Northwest. "We like this area, and our daughter had been moved to the west coast," he continued.  "I want to be close to family," he added with a smile.

Now retired and with more interest than time on his hands, Archambault decided to indulge in research and art.  "I do some art work for a couple of clients, and I like to give presentations to the public." 

Archambault is a member of the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association and also writes for several publications.  "I enjoy sharing my interests with the public," he concluded.

Archambault can be reached at aarcha1861@aol.com.