Nor' West Company

Welcome to the

2007 Alaska State Historical Rendezvous Website

1.6 miles north of the Chena River Flood Control Dam near North Pole, Alaska

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What is a historical rendezvous?

How is a historical rendezvous organized?

About the Site of the 2003 Alaska State Rendezvous

Activities Planned for the 2003 Alaska State Rendezvous

Participating in the 2003 Alaska State Rendezvous (Rules and Fees)

Visiting the 2003 Alaska State Rendezvous

Celebrating America's Frontier History:

During the seventeenth through 19th century much of the history of the United States and Canada was written not by the politicians and armies of the day, but by common people who ventured into previously uncharted regions to carve a new life out of the wilderness.  Some were traders doing business with Native Americans, others were hunters and trappers and still others were poor settlers seeking a bit of land on which they could eke out a living.  All were bold, resourceful people who learned the skills needed to live far beyond the "safety net" of more settled regions.

A historical rendezvous is a living history event where participants celebrate the lives and achievements of our earlier ancestors.  Dressed in historically authentic garb and using only historically authentic reproductions of the shelters and tools used by our ancestors, we reenact the historical gatherings at which early frontiersmen and their families exchanged goods and services and enjoyed the company of far-flung neighbors before returning to their day-to-day routine.  Modern historical rendezvous are loosely patterned after the infamous Rocky Mountain fur-trade rendezvous of the 1820s - 1840, where American trappers called "Mountain Men" gathered each year to exchange their harvest of furs for the goods and supplies needed to spend another season in the mountains. 

Today's historical rendezvous are celebrations of the lifestyles of many of North America's early frontier people, and draw living history enthusiasts who portray a wide range of historical frontier characters ranging from the earliest Colonial days of the 1600s through the Rocky Mountain fur-trade of the mid-nineteenth century.  Participants in modern historical rendezvous compete in muzzleloader shooting matches, a variety of historically authentic games of skill, spin tall tales around the campfire and share the joys of their rewarding hobby around the campfire each evening.

Organization of a Historical Rendezvous:

Most historical rendezvous' in North America are organized and conducted by a "booshway", from the French "bourgeois".  He is responsible for securing an appropriate site for the event, planning the various competitions and activities, and ensuring necessary resources such as firewood, potable water and adequate sanitation facilities are available to participants.  The booshway coordinates other volunteers to ensure that everything that needs done gets done.  David "Music Man" Underwood was elected by participants at the 2002 Alaska State Rendezvous to organize our event for 2003.

About the Site of the 2007 Alaska State Rendezvous:

The 2007 Alaska State Rendezvous will be held 1.6 miles northeast of the Chena River flood control dam near North Pole, Alaska.  The site is a group-use area administered by the Army Corps of Engineers and promises to be one of the best possible locations for an event such as this.  The road into the site is exceptionally well maintained making it easily accessible by highway vehicle.  The camp site offers a delightful camping area for historical campers surrounding a lake that is stocked with fish for those wishing to test their historical fishing or canoeing skills.  A separate camping area for modern recreational vehicles or tents is conveniently located, yet out of view to avoid detracting from the historical appearance of the historical camp.  Shooting ranges for muzzleloader shooting competitions are laid out very nicely for both "line" shooting and for some challenging trail walk matches.  Firewood, potable water and adequate sanitation facilities will be available on the site.

To get to the site, take the Richardson Highway to Laurence Rd.  Take Laurence Road north to the flood control dam, cross over the dam and continue traveling along the levy for 1.6 miles.  Then just follow the signs to camp.

Activities Planned for the 2007 Alaska State Rendezvous: 

-  Muzzleloader rifle and pistol matches

-  Dutch Oven cooking clinic

-  Birch basket clinic 

-  Cannon shoot

-  Historical tackle fishing contest

-  "Tinder to Tea" contest

-  Most authentic camp contest

-  Most authentic costume contest

-  Tall tales

- Trapping demo

-  Horsemanship demo

-  Kid's games

And much, much more.

Participating in the 2007 Alaska State Rendezvous (Rules, Fees, Etc.): 

Camp Rules

• All visible clothing and gear must be pre-1840.  This applies to children as well as to adults.

• Keep plastic water jugs and coolers covered at all times.  When hauling water or ice to your camp keep non-period containers covered.

• Motorized vehicles will be allowed in camp for loading and unloading only.

• There is a two-hour unloading time at the end of which your vehicle must be removed from camp.

• Park or camp in the designated areas.  Vehicles parked in unauthorized areas may be towed at the owner's expense.

• Parents are legally and financially responsible for the actions of their children.

• Pets must be on a leash and under control at all times.

• No loaded firearms in camp.

• Place trash in designated area.  Bring your own trash bags.

• No chain saws.  Do not cut live trees.

• Remove and preserve sod from your fire pit.  Replace it when you leave.

• Campfires must not be left unattended.  You must have a historically authentic container of water (at least 3 gallons) and a shovel near your campfire.

• No fighting.  This includes domestic disturbances.

• All local, state and federal laws regarding sale or consumption of alcohol apply in camp.

These are some examples of things that should NOT be seen in historical camps or on rendezvous participants:  modern sunglasses; T-shirts; plastic rain gear; bikini or halter tops; tennis shoes; shower shoes; sandals; logger boots; pack boots; bathing suits; blue jeans; dusters; coleman or electric lanterns; flashlights; metal or plastic camp furniture, etc.

• All trade goods must be Pre-1840!
• The booshway or his appointed representative(s) have final authority over all disputes regarding the historical authenticity of trade goods.  The burden of proof is on the trader and the booshway's decisions are final.
• No plastic in sight.  This includes blister packs, styrofoam, blanket wraps, gun parts, candy containers, etc.
• No silver or turquoise mixed jewelry.  Keep jewelry to the style of the era.
• Books, magazines, clothing patterns, original works of art and art prints must pertain to the pre-1840 North American frontier era.
• Any guns displayed for sale must meet the "pre-1840" standard.  No in-line or plastic stocked rifles.
• All trading must be done from pre-1840 structures or trade blankets.

Fees

Fees for the 2007 Alaska State Rendezvous have not yet been established.  Please check back frequently as we will post them once they've been determined.

Visiting the 20037Alaska State Rendezvous:

Members of the general public are invited to step back in time and join the fun.  Learn to shoot a flint-lock rifle, light a fire with flint and steel, enjoy some tall-tales and revel in the sights, sounds and scents from an earlier era.  Lots of special activities planned for your enjoyment.  A special muzzleloader shooting match is planned for members of the general public.  See Visitor Day Shooting Fee above.