WORLD WAR II encampment to be hosted at Fort Vancouver on July 22

The National Park Service at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site will host a World War II living history encampment on Saturday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place at Pearson Air Museum, a part of Fort Vancouver NHS, 1115 E 5th Street. This free event is offered in partnership with Living History Group Northwest, a living history community that unites local groups who honor and share the stories of America’s fighting forces during World War II.

“The US Army had a 164-year history at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and that time period included World War II,” said Volunteer Program Coordinator Jennifer Ladd. “During the war, Vancouver Barracks served as a port of embarkation, where thousands of soldiers were organized, equipped, and trained before being sent to combat in Africa, Europe, and the Pacific.”

During the event, living history volunteers will portray members of various US Army units from World War II, representing medics, cavalry, infantry, and personnel from the US Army Air Corps, Women’s Army Corps, and more. The volunteers will bring their own uniforms, weapons, tents, and equipment, including military Jeeps and trucks from the period. The encampment will be located outdoors, on the west side of Pearson Air Museum, and will include temporary exhibits inside of the museum’s Historic Hangar. The public is welcome to stroll through the encampment, talk with the living history reenactors, and get a close-up view of their uniforms and equipment.

“We are excited to grow this partnership with the National Park Service to bring a World War II living history event to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site,” said Eric Porter, Unit Commander of the 113th Cavalry Living History Group. “This is the seventh year we have participated in this event at the park, and every year it just gets bigger.”

Pearson Air Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the event, and the public is encouraged to park in the museum’s parking lot or in designated spots along E 5th Street.