Make Memories at Candlelight Tour

Tickets available online beginning September 1

Guests should be prepared for memorable moments during Candlelight Tour, an evening walking tour of Fort Nisqually Living History Museum.

“Candlelight is magical,” said Fort Nisqually Foundation board member Barbara Ball. “It should be on everyone’s bucket list!”

Candlelight Tour will take place the evenings of 
Friday and Saturday, October 3-4. 

Advance ticket purchase is required. Tickets are available starting Sept. 1 and can be purchased on-line at Brown Paper Tickets or at Fort Nisqually. 

Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for youth ages 4-12.

During the event, campfires and candlelight provide the only illumination, as more than 100 re-enactors bring to life the laborers, servants, gentlemen and ladies of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

“These people from the past won’t be aware of 21st century visitors,” said Chris Erlich, event coordinator. “For them, it is 1855, and we don’t exist.”

Tour guide Jerry Ekrom asked visitors on one bus how they liked the tour and listened as they burst into applause. One year, a bus driver was so struck by the excitement of people coming back from the tour he had to come and see it for himself.

Volunteer Heather Kibbey recalled one spontaneous magical moment. As one of the men re-enacting in the laborer’s dwelling started playing a traditional lullaby on his tin whistle, “All the women started humming the tune, and it was amazing.”

This year the Fort will be portraying October 1855. 

The Fort’s boss, William Fraser Tolmie, will be entertaining guests and celebrating the completed construction of his home and his forthcoming promotion. 

Cooks will be busy in the kitchen, preparing the dinner. Young people will be enjoying an evening dance. 

American settlers and soldiers will be huddled around campfires, sharing news and concerns about skirmishes with local Native Americans, who are contesting treaty terms. Hudson’s Bay Company employees will be relaxing and reflecting on their days work – or still at their labors.

Walking tours are approximately an hour in length and begin every 15 minutes. 

A shuttle bus transports visitors to Fort Nisqually from the Zoo parking lot for the walking tour. 

For questions about accessibility requirements or for more information, contact call (253) 591-5339.

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
in Point  Defiance Park
5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA 98407