Fort Ross State Historic Park

VISITOR CENTER INTERPRETATION PROJECT PLAN

February 2014

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Questions about this handbook or requests for copies should be directed to:

P.O. Box 123 Russian River District Office Duncans Mills, CA 95430-0123 (707) 865-2391

Cover: Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center, 2012 Section 1: Fort Ross SHP, CSP 090-76796 Section 2: Call House trail, CSP 090-P76855 Appendices: Fort Ross hillside, CSP 090- P56294

2 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Fort Ross SHP

Approved By:

______Liz Burko Superintendent, Russian River District

______Sarah Sweedler Executive Director, Fort Ross Conservancy

______Donna Pozzi Chief, Interpretation & Education Division

______Kathy Amann Deputy Director, Acquisition & Development

Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan i ii Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iii Design the building to be more Design the building to be more energy efficient. Update museum lighting, exhibit cases, and museum collections storage to protect fragile museum objects. Expand the resource library. Expand storage for park operations, interpretation, and museum bookstore. to Update administrative office areas accommodate many different users. Provide access to updated park access to updated Provide of Fort Ross an overview orientation, history, and and natural SHP cultural during opportunities recreational center hours. and after visitor seamlessly from Transition visitors to the historic core the visitor center areas. and recreational amenities Update visitor center interpretive to offer additional events, programs and special space, research and meeting encourage community use and spaces that can be rented out to generate revenue. Create a warm and inviting space to purchase and consume refreshments, relax, and gather.

• • • • • • • • • Use technology to connect people with the park and to each other through online classrooms and programs. Update interpretive content to reflect new research and ideas. Include more natural resource interpretation. Present information in a variety of methods and formats to reach people from different backgrounds and learning styles.

• • • • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE (SHP) Park Historic State Ross The Fort to opened its doors first center visitor is center The visitor the public in 1985. people receive and the hub of operations about the park most of their information It is an important in this building. while for resource cultural educational and and students, researchers, locals, visitors, includes which community, Ross the Fort people internationally. Americans and functions center’s time, the visitor Over services were changed and interpretive building and operational due to limited it became 30 years, After constraints. needed center that the visitor evident and staff, meet visitor, to be updated to River needs. The Russian operational of an evaluation District requested An and the exhibits. center the visitor in formed was planning team interpretive analysis a thorough 2012. After November functions, exhibits, center’s of the visitor held the team programs, and interpretive gather to workshops stakeholder two and The analysis additional feedback. needed the direction provided workshops interpretation an updated develop to plan. project the generated The planning process recommendations: following iv Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v partner to the park and to the future the future and to park the to partner center. of the visitor development California goes to thank you a big Finally, SHP, Ross Fort staff from Parks State Diablo Mendocino, and River, Russian professionalism Vista Districts. Their made work their to and enthusiasm and wonderful a the planning process enriching journey. Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS State Ross Fort years, 100 over For an (SHP) has been Park Historic tourists, for important destination with and those students, researchers, the site. ties to and familial cultural about the site’s passionate are People and natural legacy, its cultural history, been coming here have splendor; many was This same passion generations. for planning during the interpretive evident center. updating the visitor for process staff and volunteers, Park State California members, and a Conservancy Ross Fort the formed of stakeholders group diverse Planning (IPP) team. Project Interpretive course of ten the met over members Team center the visitor months and examined provided the inside out. Stakeholders from and input at two further information planning and energetic productive highly These meetings helped workshops. content, in interpretive gaps determine orientation, community outreach, park the park. to connect visitors to and ways a plan produced of these efforts The result interpretive for that sets the direction for recommendations services and makes experience. the visitor improving a success because of the The IPP was team from and perseverance work hard volunteers, members, stakeholders, and community members. Stakeholders the Kashia from included representatives Orthodox Russian tribe, Call family, historians, Russian-Americans, Church, will Many and volunteers. educators, in the visitor continue their involvement planning process. center Ross the Fort to Special thanks members, board staff, (FRC) Conservancy as the role their for and volunteers essential members of the IPP team. Their financial assistance in supporting meetings is especially the stakeholder is an important The FRC appreciated. vi Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan CONTENTS vii v 1 3 3 4 9 3 9 4 5 9 xi iii vii 17 31 10 11 12 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 21 21 23 29 31 29 xiii

2.2.2e Ft. Ross After the RAC Leaves the RAC After 2.2.2e Ft. Ross 2.2.2a Life at Colony Ross at Colony 2.2.2a Life 2.2.2b Occupations and Activities California Contributions to 2.2.2c The RAC’s Ross Colony Leaves 2.2.2d The RAC

2.2.3 Transition to a State Park a State to 2.2.3 Transition 3.2.1 Visitor Profile 3.2.1 Visitor 2.1.3 Geology and Fauna 2.1.4 Flora Resources 2.2 Cultural 2.2.1 Kashia Pomo in North America Company 2.2.2 Russian-American 1.3.1 Major Milestone Meetings 1.3.1 Major Milestone 1.3.2 Participants 2.1.1 Esthetic Qualities and Climate 2.1.2 Weather

3.2 Visitor Assessment 3.2 Visitor 2.3 Recreational Resources 2.3 Recreational 2.4 Collections Orientation, and Circulation 3.1 Access, 2.1 Natural Resources 2.1 Natural 1.1 Site Overview 1.1 Site and Plan Purpose Overview 1.2 Project 1.3 Planning Process Chapter 3: Existing Conditions Chapter Chapter 2: Park Resources Summary Resources 2: Park Chapter Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort CONTENTS FIGURES SETTING SECTION 1: PROJECT CONTENTS SUMMARY EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TABLES 3.2.2 Visitation Data 31 3.2.3 Regional Data 33 3.3 Existing Interpretation and Education 37 3.3.1 Non-personal Interpretation 37 3.3.1a Available at the Visitor Center 37 3.3.1b Available in the Park 37 3.3.1c Available Online 37 3.3.2 Personal Interpretation 38 3.3.2a Tours 38 3.3.2b Presentations and Demonstrations 38 3.3.2c Special Events 38 3.3.3d Children’s Programs 39 3.3.2e Educational Services 40 3.3.2f Program Attendance 40 3.4 Operational Resources 42 3.5 Partnerships and Support 42 3.5.1 Cooperating Associations 42 3.5.2 Partners and Intepretive Providers 43 3.5.3 Public Awareness and Community Involvement 46 3.5.4 Stakeholders 46

Chapter 4: Analysis of Existing Conditions 51 4.1 Visitor Needs and Expectations 51 4.2 Visitor Center Function and Role 51 4.2.1 Visitor Center Attributes and Opportunities 52 4.2.2 Visitor Center Constraints 52 4.2.3 Maintenance and Operational Considerations 52 4.2.3a Concessions 53 4.3 Interpretive Content 53 4.4 Interpretive Methods 53

SECTION 2: INTERPRETIVE DIRECTION 55 Chapter 5: Planning Framework 57 5.1 Existing Plans and Statutes 57 5.1.1 Federal and State Recognition 57 5.1.2 Declaration of Purpose 57 5.1.3 2011 Visitor Center Planning Process 59 5.1.4 Primary Sources and Interpretation Planning Documents 59

viii Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan CONTENTS ix 90 91 91 92 93 64 66 90 93 94 94 95 95 97 60 61 61 63 64 64 65 70 74 77 79 82 85 89 89 90 97 63 69 89

6.3.1a People’s Relationship with the Land with Relationship 6.3.1a People’s 8.4.5 Reference Library and Research Area and Research Library 8.4.5 Reference 8.4.1 Entrance 8.4.2 Sales Area 8.4.3 Exhibits 8.4.4 Multi-purpose Room 6.3.2 Cultural History 6.3.2 Cultural 6.3.1 Natural History 6.3.1 Natural 9.1 Visitor Center Improvements Project Improvements Center 9.1 Visitor 8.6 Interpretive Recommendations 8.6 Interpretive Improvements 8.7 Accessibility 8.8 Longevity 8.9 Donor and Sponsor Recognition 8.5 User Groups 8.2 Site Approach 8.2 Site Experience 8.3 Outdoor 8.4 Indoor Experience Goal 5: Inspire Stewardship and Protect Resources and Protect Stewardship Goal 5: Inspire Goal 6: Making Connections 8.1 Visit Planning Goal 1: Welcome and Accessible Goal 1: Welcome and Orient Goal 2: Promote Story Ross Goal 3: Understanding the Fort Outreach and Visitor Goal 4: Community Resource 6.1 General Plan Interpretive Themes Plan Interpretive 6.1 General Themes Interpretive Center 6.2 Visitor 6.3 Storylines 5.2 Mission and Vision Statements and Vision 5.2 Mission Period Interpretive Plan 5.3 General Periods Interpretive Center 5.4 Visitor Chapter 9: Next Steps 9: Next Chapter Chapter 8: Proposed Visitor Experience Visitor 8: Proposed Chapter Chapter 7: Recommendations Chapter Chapter 6: Themes and Storylines 6: Themes and Chapter Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 9.1.1 Securing Funding 97 9.1.2 Project Programming 97 9.1.3 Concept Design 98 9.1.4 Design Development 98 9.1.5 Site Considerations before Exhibit Installation 99 9.1.6 Installation 99 9.1.7 Project Closeout 99 9.2 Conclusion 100

REFERENCES 101 APPENDICES 103 Appendix A: 2012 Bicentennial Cultural Heritage Days Visitor Survey 105 Appendix B: Common Plants and Animals 107 Appendix C: Exhibit Accessibility Survey and Critique 113 Appendix D: Curriculum Framework and Standards 123 Appendix E: Stakeholder Workshops 133 Appendix F: Visitor Center Exhibits and Themes, 1985-Present 143

x Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan FIGURES xi 2 9 70 74 77 79 82 85 89 90 90 91 91 92 11 12 13 15 16 17 19 20 20 21 22 24 24 25 30 30 33 39 56 63 145 145

Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Figure F1. Multi-purpose room exhibit, CSP 090-P76906 exhibit, CSP Multi-purpose room F1. Figure 090-24419 hall, CSP Main exhibit F2. Figure Figure 30. Overgrown cypress trees obscure the building. obscure trees cypress Overgrown 30. Figure the multi-purpose room. adjacent to Little-noticed picnic area 31. Figure CSP. main hall and museum entrance, Crowded 32. Figure hall. in the entrance older exhibits covers The sales area 33. Figure 2013. FRC center, of the visitor in the multi-purpose room Presentation 34. Figure Figure 26. Fort Ross SHP brochure, ©CSP 2006 ©CSP SHP brochure, Ross Fort 26. Figure 090-P77306 CSP orchard, at the old Russian School program 27. Figure 090-5137 hall, CSP Main exhibit 28. Figure lot parking Use Day 29. Figure Figure 21. Visitor center design, FRC 2011. design, FRC center 21. Visitor Figure 080-11-4801.4 CSP Harry C. Peterson, c.1845 by Ross, of Fort 22. Lithograph Figure 090-p56217 CSP center, visitor 23. Ft. Ross Figure 090-S14211 CSP Program, Living 24. Environmental Figure FRC C. Miller, ©2012 Paul Kashia dancer, 25. Figure Figure 17. Multi-purpose room, FRC 2013. FRC 17. Multi-purpose room, Figure library 18. Reference Figure counties Area 19. Bay Figure 090-p77307 CSP 20. ELP program, Figure Figure 12. Reconstructed windmill, 2013. 12. Reconstructed Figure features. and historic trails, center, visitor Ross’ 13. Fort Figure investigations. archaeological from 14. Items Figure American objects. 15. Kashia and other Native Figure objects. archaeological Company 16. Russian-American Figure Figure 8. Conceptual drawing of Fort Ross, FRC 1998. FRC Ross, of Fort 8. Conceptual drawing Figure FRC. Voznesenskii, Ilya by 1841” Ross, 9. “Fortress Figure 090-5108. CSP c. 1880-1890, 10. the Call family, Figure 090-5042. c. 1934, CSP Ross 11. Fort Figure Figure 3. The RAC-era chapel collapsed during the 1906 earthquake, CSP 090-4727. CSP during the 1906 earthquake, chapel collapsed 3. The RAC-era Figure 090-S20942. CSP and abalone, 4. Sea urchins Figure the fort iris near 5. Douglas Figure 090-P769819. CSP ocean, to 6. Hillside view Figure FRC C. Miller, ©2012 Paul 7. Kashia dancer, Figure FIGURES 2006 CSP map, 1. Regional Figure Coast 2. Sonoma Figure xii Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan TABLES xiii 10 15 31 32 34 34 35 35 36 36 41 44 47 98 114 116 118 120 134 135 136 142 107 107 108 108 110 110 111 111

Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table E4. Natural Resources E4. Natural Table Table C4. Learning and Language (Ranching Area) C4. Learning and Language (Ranching Table E1. Participants Table and People Periods E2. Interpretive Table E3. People Table Table B7. Mammals B7. Table and Amphibians Reptiles B8. Table Comments and Recommendations Exhibit Area C1. Table Area) People’s Learning and Language (Native C2. Table Area) C3. Learning and Language (Russian Table Table B3. Shrubs and Woody Vines Shrubs and Woody B3. Table Plants Flowering Herbaceous B4. Table Plants Allies and Lower Fern Ferns, B5. Table Birds B6. Table Table 12. Partners and Interpretive Providers and Interpretive Partners 12. Table Stakeholders 13. Table and Schedule Scope of Work 14. Table Common Marine Plants and Animals B1. Table Trees B2. Table Table 8. 2040 Bay Area Projections Area 8. 2040 Bay Table 2010. California, Percentages; Groups 9. Ethnic Table 2010. County, by Groups Ethnic 10. Table Attendance Program Interpretive 11. Table Table 3. Fort Ross SHP Visitor Attendance Visitor SHP Ross 3. Fort Table Survey Language 4. 2010-2012 Visitor Table Projections Population 5. 30-year Table 2010-2040 Projections, Age Group 6. California Table 2010. County; California, by 7. Age Groups Table TABLES Averages Rainfall and 1. Temperature Table of Special Concern Species Occurring 2. Potentially Table xiv Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PROJECT SETTING 1 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort SECTION 1: PROJECT SETTING 1: PROJECT SECTION documents the and resources Park’s Historic State Ross Fort Setting summarizes Project section The experience. visitor and the services interpretive affect that conditions existing for foundation the provide these Together, conditions. of existing an analysis ends with in Section 2. center visitor the for direction interpretive and the recommendations Figure 1. Regional map, CSP 2006

2 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan INTRODUCTION 3 The Northern Service Center and Russian River District Staff completed a museum collections inventory and training.

• 1.2 Project Overview and and Overview 1.2 Project Purpose Plan is the center SHP visitor Ross The Fort It orients people park. the to gateway and natural, cultural, the park’s to a and provides resources, recreational and interpretive groups for staging area of an overview Exhibits give programs. The stories. major cultural the park’s and archives library research extensive the researcher to information provide and student. A multi-purpose room special exhibits, changing accommodates center films. The visitor and park events, to is an important destination; a place and guided tours, hold special events, educational seminars. It is a valuable both community, Ross the Fort to resource and internationally. locally in the constructed was center The visitor installed in were 1970s and exhibits late and staff the mid-1980s. Since then, park changed. this space have needs for visitor panels and exhibit interpretive Newer of the original exhibits. many cases cover and can be awkward circulation Visitor has evolved of interpretation the focus and park visitors, time. Stakeholders, over expand to a desire expressed staff have to interpretation and natural the cultural and presentation include new research methods. revise District chose to River The Russian of a multi-phase the IPP as the first step center. the visitor update to project Interpretive The district requested the (IEP) funds from Exhibit Program Division. and Education Interpretation and the $62,000 awarded The district was in January 2012. The scope began project the following: included of work 1 The RAC left an indelible The RAC 2 3 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort The park was established to preserve and preserve established to was The park southernmost North America’s interpret (RAC) Company Russian-American Ross 1812-1841, Fort settlement. From community. international a thriving was and people Alaskans, Native Kashia Pomo, and lived empire the Russian across from there. worked 1.1 Site Overview (SHP), Park Historic State Ross Fort is one of the oldest established in 1906, System. Park State in the California parks Sonoma Coast, on the It is located eleven 1 Highway of Jenner on miles northwest 1). (figure acres few comprised of a Originally Company’s the Russian-American around has grown compound, the park fort acquired as the state considerably of 3,386 consists additional land. The park of waterfront. including 23,480 feet acres, managed as of tidelands are Ninety acres law unit, park by which an underwater in found resources the cultural protects Cove. Ross the Fort CHAPTER 1: CHAPTER INTRODUCTION imprint on California’s historic record and record historic imprint on California’s the interprets the park landscape. Today, that made Fort and cultures people many structures their home. All the RAC Ross been House have the Rotchev except became Ross since Fort reconstructed The Call House and ranch Park. a State the American ranch buildings represent settlement. the RAC that followed era and the Russian Kashia, Russian-American, community members continue Orthodox Fort there. traditions their observe to SHP is a national and international Ross States, the United from People treasure. contribute the world around and Russia its many and interpreting preserving to resources. • A Scope of Collections Statement 1.3.1 Major Milestone Meetings for Fort Ross SHP was written and approved. November 2011 • Two exhibit cases in the visitor Kick-off meeting for the IPP which center with Kashia cultural objects established the planning team and project schedule. were updated with new artifact mounts; baskets were conserved and stabilized; LED lighting and January 27 & 28, 2012 environmental monitoring devices Two stakeholder meetings held to were added; and exhibit text labels introduce the project and gather ideas and panels were updated. for 2013 interpretive themes for exhibits, interpretive goals, and visitor needs and • The interpretation project plan for the visitor center was updated. at the Fort Ross SHP visitor center. The expectations.second meeting The was first held meeting at the wasMarin held The park’s General Plan was published in 1975 and the original visitor center D for detailed information about these interpretive plan was developed in 1985. Districtmeetings. Office in Petaluma. See Appendix The Interpretive Project Plan (IPP) is intended to update and expand the 1985 Interpretive Plan. March 5, 2013 The interpretive team meeting to review The IPP will be used to guide the design development of exhibits and interpretive vision, interpretive goals and objectives, programming in the visitor center. It and finalizeto present the the visitor preliminary center mission, draft of the documents previous visitor center IPP for the team to review. planning, updates and expands upon the original interpretive themes, and gives recommendations for enhancing the April 30, 2013 visitor experience at the center. The plan The interpretive team meeting to discuss has a lifespan of up to 30 years, and it interpretive themes, goals, objectives, should be revisited as necessary to meet strategies and tasks. changing visitor and park needs. July & August 2013 1.3 Planning Process and comment. The interpretive planning process for The final draft was distributed for review the Fort Ross SHP visitor center began in November 2012 and included meetings, December 2013 stakeholder workshops, and regular conference calls with the interpretive review and comment. team. Most planning meetings occurred The final revised draft was distributed for with California State Parks (CSP) and Fort February 2014 Ross Conservancy (FRC) team members. Two stakeholder meetings were held to The document was produced and sent out present the project and receive feedback. for signatures.

March 2014 The final draft was completed in July 2013. The document was published.

4 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan INTRODUCTION 5

endent dinator ety Superintendent ark and Recreation Specialist and Recreation ark enance Supervisor

ations Manager or center staff or center e Park Interpreter III Interpreter e Park e Park Interpreter I Interpreter e Park Ranger e Park e Park and Recreation Specialist and Recreation e Park Archaeologist e Park esident and CEO Manager ogram egional Interpretive Specialist egional Interpretive egional Interpretive Specialist egional Interpretive Specialist egional Interpretive ark Interpretive Specialist Interpretive ark I Worker Maintenance ark ark Interpretive Specialist Interpretive ark Stat Pr Oper Pr Visit Stat P Stat P Chief Exhibit Coor District Superint Public Saf Stat R Stat Maint Senior P R R P

Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Sarah Sweedler Sarah Sarjan Holt Hank Birnbaum Perry Lake Interpretation and Education Division and Education Interpretation Donna Pozzi Schimandle Carolyn (FRC) Conservancy Ross Fort Robin Wellman Robin Elliott Lindsey Farcau Todd Brian Osborn Edward Parkman Edward Denise Alexander SHP Ross Fort Russian River District River Russian Liz Burko Donovan Jenny Mapes Andrea Michael Wisehart Kathy Schulz Kathy Julie Reyes Bill Bell Northern Service Center Leslie Hartzell Katie Metraux 1.3.2 Participants consisted team planning The interpretive FRC disciplines, multiple from staff of CSP users, park experts, matter staff, subject members. and community Stakeholders Amy Lemmer Choctaw Nation and CSP Volunteer Billyrene Pinola Kashia tribal member Zoya Gradov Russian Orthodox community Bowen Lee Sea Otter Research and Conservation, Monterey Aquarium Lynn Rudy FRC volunteer Susan Rudy FRC volunteer Irina Dyatlovskaya FRC volunteer Glenn Farris FRC advisor, historian, former State Park Archaeologist

6 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan INTRODUCTION 7 will be Kashia . the S.S. Pomona agencies. Kashaya with government the spelling by is the preferred tribe. For Rancheria Point Stewart’s this government the purposes of document, the spelling used. Africans, British, and Hawaiians, in number fewer Americans; though and people from Alaskans than Native empire. the Russian Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Endnotes include in the cove resources 1. Cultural tribe uses is the spelling the 2. Kashia Native also employed 3. The RAC 8 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 9 Figure 2. Sonoma Coast Figure The area around Fort Ross SHP is Ross Fort around The area gives which undeveloped, relatively compound a timeless feel. the historic come alive may the fort On weekdays, children where with a school program period clothing and participate in dress period. the RAC to related in activities with appears deserted, Sometimes the fort are There through. wandering visitors few speak Russian most visitors when days the fort when the days and Spanish, akin to community. international a thriving was different completely can have Visitors depending on at the park, experiences and location within the the time of year seem serene forests The redwood park. the rugged and to and quiet in contrast coast. areas The historic ever-changing park is popular with divers and for fishing. for and with divers is popular park and coastal terraces, coves, Protected habitat for necessary hills provide wooded and animals. plants native Qualities 2.1.1 Esthetic to treated are visitors On a clear day, Sonoma Coast of the views breathtaking where bluffs 2). Mist rises above (figure Harbor below. the rocks over crash waves bask in the sun on seals and sea lions The sea offshore. rocks beaches and on the Day beyond heard can be lions’ bark the hills and into lot and often Use parking mountains inland, forested Further valleys. From shore. rise out of the rocky appear to as the see as far these ridges, one may the south. peninsula to Reyes Point The coastal Sandy Beach Sandy 2 1 , was a thriving a thriving Metini, was These same attributes made the These same attributes 3 Cove provided a relatively safe harbor and harbor safe a relatively provided Cove shipbuilding where at sea level a flat area place. and other industry took away (located meadows elevation Higher a good coast) provided foggy the from fruit orchards. location for Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 2.1 Natural Resources coast Ross along the Fort lived have People thousands of years. possibly hundreds, for The Kashia village, home. Those seasonal camp and ancestral the Russian-American that followed, and American ranchers, (RAC) Company resources its natural for chose this area of the land. The Kashia found and lay mountain from water abundant fresh woodlands, while springs and local creeks provided coves beaches, and sheltered used the The RAC other resources. many and livestock graze to terraces wide, level and themselves feed to crops plant food settlements. their Alaskan CHAPTER 2: PARK 2: PARK CHAPTER SUMMARY RESOURCES natural, the summarizes This chapter at resources and recreational cultural, (SHP), Park’s Historic State Ross Fort interpretive for foundation the form which center visitor The park. at the services to resources an overview of these provides information The park. the to orient visitors be used to can chapter in this presented brochures, materials, orientation develop educational audio-visual media, exhibits, services. interpretive and other programs, land desirable for logging and ranching. logging and ranching. for land desirable a from the land is treasured Today sweeping The broad, perspective. different coastal plains appear pristine across views People development. by and uncluttered beaches the park’s along recreating enjoy tide pools. The underwater and exploring valleys from Fort Ross to Bodega Bay Bay Bodega to Ross Fort from valleys and agricultural ranching used for were activities. seem untouched and one feels a deep connection to the past. On days with special events, thousands of people descend upon the park, where they participate in Russian and Kashia cultural activities, dancing, enjoying food and crafts. Fort Ross SHP is the best of both worlds—a natural and cultural treasure.

2.1.2 Weather and Climate The region’s weather can change radically throughout the day. The park is often shrouded in a dense fog that clings to the hillsides and drifts along the coastal terraces. Winds often dissipate the fog by the late afternoon, ending the day sunny and cool. On clear nights, the skies are ablaze with stars, as there is little light pollution.

The Western Regional Climate Center maintains a weather station at Fort Ross SHP.4 According to the records, September is the average warmest month and January is the coolest month. On average, most precipitation occurs in January and the area receives an average of 38 inches of rain per year. Table 1 shows the average annual weather conditions spanning from 1948 to 2010.

Table 1. Temperature and Rainfall Averages Average Weather Conditions at Fort Ross, California from 1948 to 2010 (Western Regional Climate Center 2013) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Average Max Temp (F) 57 58 59 61 63 66 66 67 68 66 62 57 63 Average Min. Temp (F) 41 43 43 43 45 47 49 49 49 47 44 42 45 Average Total Precipitation (in.) 7.65 6.195 5.275 2.63 1.25 0.4 0.075 0.18 0.475 2.29 5.08 7.28 38.79

10 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 11 Each [plate] exhibits distinctly distinctly exhibits Each [plate] Evidence of the tremendous power power of the tremendous Evidence different rock and soil types and have types and have and soil rock different On the east unique characteristics. is the Fault side of the San Andreas by dominated Formation, Franciscan and shale, and commonly sandstone susceptibility its extreme for known On the west landslides and erosion. to marine tertiary are side of the fault of the rupture was seen in the collapse seen was of the rupture 3) and (figure chapel of the Russian in the faulting signs of the conspicuous northeast and hillsides forest Redwood has Fault of the fort. San Andreas The horizontal repeated been undergoing at least the past 25 for movements time, offsets During that million years. for occurred have of about 200 miles of the fault, side points on the west those to with respect northwest moving it is estimated Today, on the east side. is of movement rate that the annual Parks State about 2 inches (California 1975, 20). Dynamic natural forces such as forces Dynamic natural action, and erosion wave earthquakes, coastal mountains, plains, the created The and rugged coastline one sees today. and North American Plate Plate Pacific coast,meet along this part of the California According Fault. the San Andreas forming Plan: the General to The RAC-era chapel collapsed 3. The RAC-era Figure CSP 090-4727. during the 1906 earthquake,

5 The San Andreas Fault Zone poses a Fault The San Andreas significant factor in the planning and significant factor The fault Ross. of Fort value interpretive Cove Shelter 650 miles between extends Sea the Salton to in Humboldt County, Ross In the Fort in southern California. zone major portion of the fault the area, wide and evidence is about 1000 feet in earthquake of the great still exists rated which 1906. During this quake, scale, considerable 8.25 on the Richter shaking, landslides, and fault ground occurred 12 feet displacement of up to Ross. near Fort ...prevailing winds are from the from winds are ...prevailing 25 miles 10 to commonly northwest, 60 50 to with gusts up to per hour, it These winds make miles per hour. Along with winds chilly. uncomfortably fog of migration daily come an almost lies clouds. Summer fog and low-lying in the morning and along the coast inland moving usually afternoon, late edge of the as the eastern as far only during Precipitation forest. redwood and largely low the summer is very is also drip. Moisture of fog a result drizzle… nighttime frequent by provided frequently storms winter [In contrast], force the coastline with gale batter damage can severely winds, which (California and structures vegetation 1975, 30). Parks State According to the General Plan, there are are Plan, there the General to According at the park. major seismic hazards three along the rupture These include surface and earthquake fault, shaking ground are and landslides. There vibrations, the to of a tsunami. According also risks Plan: General Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 2.1.3 Geology has a high SHP area Ross The Fort a major earthquake. for probability Environmental conditions at Fort Ross are are Ross at Fort conditions Environmental coastal Northern California most similar to In the spring: areas. Marine plant colonies are especially the North American Plate collided, these productive on this part of the coast. Mats sediments.sediments wereWhen pushed the Pacific upward Plate to and of bull kelp form each spring and summer form the coastal terrace, coastal slope, just offshore, later to be broken up by ridge top, and San Andreas Fault Zone winter storms and piled on the beaches. (California State Parks 1975, 20). Sea palm covers many lower rocks where there is especially strong wave action. Feather boa kelp is very common. Low 2.1.4 Flora and Fauna6 tides reveal bright green sea grass, and rocks encrusted with colorful pink The Intertidal Zone and Open Ocean coralline algae. The Northern California rocky intertidal zone has a rich and diverse plant and animal life. (For a complete listing of are rich in bird life. Immature brown common plants and animals found in The Pacific waters off the Fort Ross coast the area, see Appendix A.) Intertidal vertebrates and plants include abalone, pelicansof geese, flybrant, north and each many spring shorebirds and head can mussels, limpets, sea anemones, sea stars, southbe seen. again Great in bluethe fall. herons Migrating hunt from flocks and chitons. Large, offshore sea urchins rafts of kelp and are permanent residents are rare as they are heavily harvested, along the shore, as are varieties of gulls while smaller intertidal urchins are still and other nesting birds. Loons migrate

found in the tide pools. just offshore, and can be seen in spring plentiful (figure 4). Young fish can also be throughand summer the area. carrying The powerfultheir catch osprey (or nest fish material) to their nests high in snags in

south for the winter, but occasionally will theoverwinter forest. Most in the of area. these fish hawks fly

Two kinds of sea lions make their home on islets off the coast. Both the large Stellar sea lion and sleek, dark California sea lion

Smaller rocks host the nests of seabirds— seasonally fish or loll in offshore waters. and cormorants. Low-lying rocks serve chieflyas hauling-out gulls, murres, spots foroystercatchers harbor seals, especially in summer. A sizable colony inhabits the sandy mouth of the Russian Figure 4. Sea urchins and abalone, CSP River ten miles down the coast. Solitary 090-S20942. young male elephant seals, part of a recovering population, can sometimes be For over a century, steelhead, coho salmon, found resting on the sandy beach at Fort surfperch, cabezon, lingcod, and many Ross. The California sea otter, the mammal that brought the Russians to Fort Ross, can no longer be found here.8 varietiesor from small of rockfish boats. haveThough been still avidly a rich soughtarea, the by waters people here fishing have off been the rocksgreatly Larger mammals, such as gray whales, depleted.7 migrate south from the Bering Sea to Baja California from December to April. The gray whales are closer to shore as they

12 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 13 Douglas iris near the fort 5. Douglas Figure It is beautiful to observe, but crowds out but crowds observe, It is beautiful to and spoils fields for grasses the pasture cattle grazing. contemporary and mammals are birds Small resident gophers, rabbits, numerous—blackbirds, Ring- and deer. moles, mice, raccoons, trapped tailed cats, small mammals once are and skunks, raccoons along with foxes, common. more also now by of wild boars, introduced Small herds settlers, and other European the Russians Boars and grasslands. the foothills roam the to devastating up plants, and are root and oak in grasslands plant habitat native Other mammals include the woodlands. ground brush rabbit, deer, black-tailed broad-handed gopher, pocket squirrel, Bobcats can hare. mole, and black-tailed during daylight be seen in the foothills on mountain lions reside hours, and a few are Coyotes the coast. rare. Black bear are on seen here inland, but are common more occasion. on the can be found songbirds Many and include the house coastal terrace species of various finch, blackbird, gold finches, and hummingbirds. sparrow, quail nest in the and California Towhees come kinds of swallows least five brush. At

11 The Russians and The Russians 10 The low-lying Pt. Reyes Pt. Reyes The low-lying 9 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort migrate up the coast. The males return up the coast. return The males migrate April, followed first, beginning around a Occasionally and young. the females by along the will linger whale gray solitary in the feeding summer, coast during the make whales Humpback water. shallow as do fin, Minke occasional appearances, porpoises harbor Shy whales. and orca be seen. sometimes can The Coastal Terrace 80,000 years is over terrace Ross The Fort series of ancient wave-cut old. It is one of a In floor. the ocean up from lifted structures similar looked probably 1812, the terrace Humans grasses. with today—covered to times over many modified the grasslands Americans Native thousand years. several they In the fall, food. seeds for harvested them open and keep burned the fields to In the grow. plants to their food encourage and periodic sheep grazing era, Ranching these field burning also helped keep plains open. ancient grassy bush, bush lupine, bracken coyote Today the also dominate myrtle and wax fern, landscape. terrace ceanothus with its dark blue flowers is blue flowers ceanothus with its dark along with poison oak, the here, found and introduced blackberry, small native blackberry. Himalaya other settlers of the nineteenth century century other settlers of the nineteenth wheat, tilled these same fields and planted also introduced They potatoes. and barley with their annual grasses Old World out the crowded largely which agriculture, bunch grasses. native the California flower, state The prolific areas in disturbed found is often poppy, named by was cuts. This poppy and road his colleague Chamisso after von Adelbert Eschscholtz. Both Johann Friedrich in 1816 on a California scientists visited expedition. exploring scientific Russian and Indian monkeyflower Lupine, orange and road the cliffs prefer paintbrush iris forms the purple Douglas cuts, while 5). mats on the hills and fields (figure in the spring to nest, often raising two or eucalyptus.13 Although invaluable as three clutches apiece. In the winter, one may see robins and juncos. American historical vegetation of the fort as it was egrets and great blue herons hunt in damp windbreaks,when the Russians they do lived not here.reflect the true places on the terrace. White-tailed kites, American kestrels, and red-tailed hawks Manzanita, buckeye, maple, madrone, hunt overhead. Other large hawks are also California bay or pepperwood, salal found, such as harriers, red-shouldered and huckleberry seek out habitats.14 hawks and an occasional golden eagle. Salmonberry and thimbleberries grow in There are several species of owls. The sunny corners. Columbine, not eaten by black raven is a predator and, like the deer, likes shady places. Oaks provide dark turkey vulture, a scavenger. Both are year- cover and a deep carpet of leaves on steep round residents. creek banks. The tan oak, valuable to the Kashia for its acorns and to the ranchers Small amphibians and reptiles also like for its bark and wood, occurs from the the grassy terrace. Several kinds of lizards lower slopes to the ridge tops. The silk bask in the sun. There are no rattlesnakes tassel tree, Garrya, can also be seen. on the cool coast, although they like the higher, warmer elevations. Garter snakes The redwood forest community is an are common, however, and are welcomed impressive and awe-inspiring one. The in gardens. Rubber boas and gopher trees are immensely tall, long-lived, snakes occur more rarely. Noisy tree frogs and self-renewing. These trees prefer are often heard at dusk. the foggy coast, although redwoods can thrive farther inland even during hot, Several varieties of wood tick are common. dry summers. In spite of heavy timber Lyme disease occurs here, however it harvesting by the Russians for three is more prevalent on the east coast.12 decades, and by the Dixon and Call ranches later in the century, the trees regrew but bumblebees (Bombus voznesenskii) from the stumps. Since Fort Ross became thriveHoneybees here. findThe thelatter coast was climate named too for cool, a state park in 1906, the redwoods have Russian scientist I. G. Voznesenskii, been preserved and have started to grow who visited Fort Ross while the Russian quickly. American Company was there. In the duff around the redwoods grow a Wooded Slopes variety of small interesting plants; among them several species of ferns, wood sorrel, Bishop pine grows close to the ocean and trillium, and adder’s tongue. Calypso its shape is altered by the coast’s strong winds. It is unpalatable to deer, and is a duff and moist atmosphere create an ideal orchidssituation live for under mushrooms Douglas and firs. other The fungus.heavy Wild azaleas seek out spots of light in the quick-growingno longer grazed opportunist. or farmed. ItThus, fills inbishop open heavy tree cover. fieldspines haveeasily become after fires, quite or dominant when lands on are the coastal plain in the last few decades. Cone-bearing trees also exist on the edges local streams, and redwoods venture are the major components of the mixed Alderquite closeand willow to the shoreflourish on along the damper, the ofevergreen the redwoods. forest, Douglaswhich continues fir and grand up fir protected slopes (figure 6). Two tree onto the coastal ridge.15 The less common varieties introduced during the ranch era California nutmeg, named for its nutmeg- have become overly successful around the like cone, is related to the yew, and can be fort—the Monterey cypress and Australia’s found in the lower canyon of the Fort Ross Creek (located in the park).16

14 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 15 Taxonomic Taxonomic Designation pomo Arborimus Ceanothus purpureus valida Chorlzanthe Danaus plexippus Didymodon norrisii Gilia mille foliata Oncorhynchus mykiss boylii Rana malviflora Sidalcea ssp. Purpurea occidentalis Strix caurina Dolichousnea longissima Common Name Common vole Sonoma tree holly-leaved ceanothus Sonoma spineflower (endangered) butterfly monarch moss Norris' beard gilia dark-eyed trout steelhead yellow- foothill legged frog purple-stemmed checkerbloom northern spotted owl lichen long-beard Taxonomic Taxonomic Designation Oncorhynchus kisutch draytonii Rana Brachyramphus marmoratus zerene Speyeria myrtleae blasdalei Agrostis California State Parks Parks State California 17 Potentially Occurring Species of Potentially Common Name Common coho salmon red- California legged frog murelett marbled and Behrens’ Myrtle’s silverspot bent Blasdale's grass Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Hillside view to ocean, CSP 090-P769819. 6. Hillside view to Figure species of SHP has several Ross Fort considered plants and animals that are or species of endangered, threatened, 2 lists these species, special concern. Table Fish and Wildlife California from gathered 2012. from reports is working to control invasive species like species like invasive control to is working poison hemlock, French pampas grass, Italian thistle, and ice plant, broom, which plant native over and take spread rapidly and habitat. grazing, Cattle and sheep used burns are prescribed occasionally Other maintain the coastal prairie. to and restore in place to are programs these and other habitats for conserve species. protected 2. Table Special Concern 2.2 Cultural Resources willow and redbud branches. Many have intricate designs made with shell, bone, The Fort Ross SHP visitor center 21 Interpretive Project Plan (IPP) highlights interpretive topics and periods relating to beads,Historically, horn, thefiber, Kashia and feathers. traded with the the Kashia, Russian-American Company neighboring Coast Miwok, who lived south (RAC), ranching, and state park uses of the of the Russian River near Bodega Bay.22 land, and summarizes cultural resources Valuable resources from the coast, such as that will be interpreted at the visitor clamshell beads, foods, and raw materials center. The information below is excerpted were traded with inland tribes. with additional research provided by the Today the Kashia people are known for frominterpretive the official team. state18 park brochure, groups, deep ties to their cultural heritage 2.2.1 Kashia Pomo theirand the fluent local language community. speakers, Many dancemembers participate in park interpretive programs The Kashia are one of seven groups who and special events throughout the year. At speak the Pomoan language. Many tribal the Fort Ross Festival and other seasonal members live in the area, and many are events, Kashia dance groups perform highly involved with the park. According traditional music, songs, and dances to local native people, their name means “People from the Top of the Land”. with California State Parks (CSP) staff on Alternatively, author and Kashia tribal (figurea wide range7). Tribal of interpretive representatives and cultural consult member Otis Parish writes, “the name projects. Kashia, which means ‘expert gamblers’”, was given to them by a neighboring Pomo group”.19

Historically, Metini was one of many centuries-old Kashia villages that were located between the Gualala and Russian Rivers. Kashia moved their villages and camps according to the season and available resources. In the summer, people moved from their permanent winter villages on sheltered ridge tops to communities along the coast.20 At the shore, they gathered abalone, mussels,

salt was harvested for domestic use and fish,trading and and a rich various variety plants, of sea acorns, plants. deer, Sea and small mammals provided food inland.

The Kashia are highly regarded for their beautifully woven baskets. Historically, baskets were used in all facets of life:

gathering, storing food, cooking, toys, huntingcradles, and(as traps as gifts for and fish in and ceremonies. animals), Baskets are often made from wooly edge Figure 7. Kashia dancer, ©2012 Paul C. grass and bulrush roots, redwood bark, Miller, FRC

16 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 17 The colonists called their new The colonists called Rossiia. 2.2.2a Life at Colony Ross structures built redwood The newcomers cannon- with two stockade and a wooden blockhouses on the southeast and fortified compound corners. The fort northwest contained the manager’s two-story warehouses, quarters, house, the clerks’ officials’ and Russian artisans’ workshops, built in the mid- The chapel was barracks. 1812, Kuskov brought 25 Russians and 80 25 Russians brought 1812, Kuskov a stockade. houses and build to Alaskans grow to a settlement established They living Russians for crops and other wheat hunt marine to settlements, in the Alaskan Spanish Alta with trade mammals, and to California. and dedicated formally was The colony 13, 1812, to on August “Ross” renamed with Imperial Russia, honor its connection or Ross” or “Colony Ross” home “Fortress 8). (figure Conceptual drawing of Fort Ross, Ross, of Fort 8. Conceptual drawing Figure 1998. FRC 25 23 Metini, 18 miles north Kuskov arrived in Bodega in Bodega arrived Kuskov 26 24 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort The RAC’s chief manager, Alexander Alexander chief manager, The RAC’s Kuskov, sent his assistant, Ivan Baranov, that could site a California locate to base with Spain in Alta as a trading serve California. The operation expanded when American when expanded The operation with the Russian- ship captains contracted joint ventures. for American Company hunt to employed were Alaskans Native along the coast of Alta and sea otters highly pelts were Otter Baja California. with China, and large in trade valued shareholders, company to flowed profits nobility. including members of Russian promyshlenniki in 1742, promyshlenniki Beginning contract Siberian or native serfs (Russian left the Siberian Russian workers) seek fur-bearing ship to mainland by on and near the many marine mammals the east.islands to In 1784, Gregory Russian built the first permanent Shelikov is in what Island, settlement on Kodiak became The organization Alaska. now in 1799, Company the Russian-American a the company granted Paul Tsar when all Russian over it monopoly giving charter in North America. The RAC enterprises east, the to from established colonies west in present-day Sitka Aleutian Islands to Alaska. 2.2.2 Russian-American 2.2.2 Russian-American America in North Company Bay on the ship Kodiak in January of 1809 ship Kodiak on the Bay August. He and until late and remained and 150 Native his party of 40 Russians taking region, the entire explored Alaskans pelts back to 2,000 sea otter than more settlements (in present-day the Alaskan Alaska). establish to California to returned Kuskov at colony a Russian had plentiful water, The site Bay. of Bodega and pastureland, planting crops land for construction. The village’s and timber for the Spanish- inaccessibility from relative the south also gave to occupied territory In advantage. the colonists a defensive 1820s and a well inside the fort grounds yield was not enough to meet the Alaskan provided water. settlements’ needs, and so grain was obtained through trade with the Spanish Outside the stockade to the northwest, Missions and American merchant ships. lower-ranking employees and people of mixed ancestry gradually established a The RAC had some success at raising village, or sloboda; and to the southwest, livestock: cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, the Native Alaskans lived in a village on chickens, and geese were some of the a bluff above a small cove. Only a small animals raised and exported to the number of Russian men and one Russian Alaskan settlements. However, the woman, Elena Rotcheva, are believed to livestock supply was never enough to have lived at Colony Ross. The settlement meet the overwhelming needs of all the was multicultural for at least thirty years, settlements. Sea lion, elk, and deer meat housing Native Siberians, Alaskans, Hawaiians, Californians, and individuals diets when domesticated livestock was not of mixed European and Native American filledavailable. the nutritional32 33 gap in the colonists’ ancestry.27 Shipbuilding 2.2.2b Occupations and Activities As the fur trade dwindled due to an increasing lack of resources, the RAC Colony Ross operated like a small village; added shipbuilding as a viable industry. many industries that make a town viable The missions needed sailing vessels, and were found here. Blacksmiths made the RAC was willing to meet their needs. metal items and repaired tools; a tannery Colony Ross produced four brigs: the processed hides into leather for clothing Rumiantsev (1816), the Bulkadov (1819), and other items; employees harvested the Volga (1821), and the Kiakhta (1823). trees from the surrounding hillsides As payment, the RAC received supplies to provide lumber for buildings, ships, that were distributed to the Alaskan barrels, and tools; pitch was extracted settlements and Fort Ross.34 Though large-scale shipbuilding ceased after 1825, and bricks were made from local clay Khlebnikov mentions Colony Ross built 28 fromdeposits. pine and RAC fir payrolls for use show in shipbuilding; Russians, other small boats, referred to as “barks”, Native Alaskans, and Native Americans and sold them to the Spanish missions.35 employed as blacksmiths, carpenters, coopers (barrel makers), coppersmiths, and block-makers (brick makers).29 Trade and Commerce In the 1790s and early 1800s, the RAC Agriculture and Animal Husbandry supplied the Alaskan settlements with products from Russia. However, the The colony was expected to produce long voyage and harsh conditions in the enough food for itself and its Alaskan settlements. Colonists planted their own gardens, that produced beans, Northmore effective Pacific often to trade spoiled with the British cargo. and At peas, potatoes, mint, melon, pumpkin, American merchants that came to port 30 first, the Company found it cheaper and watermelons, and roses. They raised in Alaska and Fort Ross. American and grapes and orchards of cherry, apple, pear, British merchants later contracted with 31 and peach trees. RAC’s farms spanned RAC to provide a substantial amount of the land from Colony Ross to Bodega Bay. their provisions and shared in hunting Staple crops were wheat and barley, but expeditions. However, these merchants these grains did not grow well in the damp raised their prices and undercut the and foggy coastal conditions. The low crop value of the pelts in trade, making it very

18 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 19

38 FRC. [The RAC] expanded the study of the study expanded [The RAC] ethnography, cartography, geography, hydrography, meteorology, geology, from gained Results and biology. botany, about brought voyages the Company’s north charts of California’s early many and naturalist coast. 1840, Russian In at spent a year Voznesenski artist Ilya of California’s specimens gathering Ross, 9). He also (figure and fauna flora such artifacts, California native collected baskets. as the acclaimed Kashia Pomo displayed of these specimens are Many Kunskamera the Great in the Peter today (Fort Russia Museum in St. Petersburg, Association 1998, 22- Interpretive Ross 23). 2.2.2c The RAC’s Contributions to to The RAC’s Contributions 2.2.2c California employees Company Russian-American and deal of cultural a great recorded and about California scientific information Coast. the American West Ross 2.2.2d The RAC Leaves Colony faced Company The Russian-American challenges in sustaining the many that settlements and soon found Alaskan unrealistic was Ross maintaining Colony As the missions and unprofitable. and 1830s, trade secularized in the early colonies became the RAC to of food supply less reliable. 36 37 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort After Mexico gained independence from independence from gained Mexico After Spain in 1821, a major shift occurred government the region’s in the way a suffered business. The RAC conducted Mexico when in profits sharp decrease trade. foreign ports to opened California Mexican the worse, matters make To duties on imposed high government in cash, pay had to the RAC goods, which the next pelts as in the past.not in fur Over Colony keep to struggled decade, the RAC viable in California. and the Company Ross as became less profitable The fur trade fur-bearing animals became overhunted and scarce. costly for the RAC to do business. The RAC RAC do business. The to the RAC for costly the American as Ross on Colony depended effective became a less traders and British and food basic supplying means to settlements. the Alaskan to provisions at the manager was Kuskov While Ivan 1812-1822, his efforts from Ross Colony with Spanish trade a profitable afforded missions. The Spanish officials and the built in Alta California government San and Mission (1817) San Rafael Mission the RAC keep Solano (1821) to Francisco a constant maintained in check. The RAC with Alta California, trade and lucrative supplied with the missions well keeping and equipment. materials return, In and other foodstuffs received the RAC products. agricultural “Fortress Ross, 1841” by Ilya Voznesenskii, Voznesenskii, Ilya 1841” by Ross, 9. “Fortress Figure The RAC contracted with the Hudson used for many different purposes. The Bay Company to provide grain and other foodstuffs to the colonies in Alaska.39 and a schoolhouse just outside the fort’s Callwalls. family Older (figure structures 10) built were their repaired home and Mexico never granted clear title to the land expanded.42 that Colony Ross occupied. In December 1841, the RAC sold John Sutter only the The Call family owned the ranch property buildings and other assets on the land. Employees such as John Bidwell and 1973, and today, many family members William Benitz oversaw the transition (figureparticipate 11) aroundin interpretive the fort planning compound and until of the property. Much of Colony Ross’s programs. buildings, hardware, animals, and other assets were transported to the Sacramento Valley, where John Sutter had built his own fort.

2.2.2e Ft. Ross After the RAC Leaves During the 1840s, the land around Colony Ross was part of a Mexican land grant owned by Manuel Torres.40 Torres leased the land to William Benitz, who later purchased the rancho in 1849. Benitz, Figure 10. the Call family, c. 1880-1890, along with his partners and the local CSP 090-5108. Kashia, successfully harvested timber, raised livestock, grew crops, and produced eggs and butter for local markets. Benitz and his large family lived in the Rotchev House (which he later expanded), and used many of the buildings within the stockade. William Benitz sold the rancho in parcels and moved to Argentina by 1867. James Dixon and Charles Fairfax purchased the land from Benitz and set up a substantial logging business, until selling the property in 1873.41

In 1873, George W. Call established the 8,000-acre Call Ranch and began the export of cordwood, railroad ties, Figure 11. Fort Ross c. 1934, CSP 090- fence posts, tanbark, apples, and dairy 5042. products. This practice continued well into the 20th century. Workers loaded cargo onto vessels anchored at the wharf in the sheltered cove below using a cargo chute. The buildings in the fort compound also underwent changes. The Rotchev House became the “Fort Ross Hotel”, the warehouse was used as a dance hall (razed in the 1920s), and the Chapel was

20 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 21 The Call House trail leads from the visitor center to the Call House picnic area and main access road. The Fort Ross Trail leads from the visitor center to the fort compound and Russian village site.

• • 2.3 Recreational Resources describes the Resources Recreational and activities types of recreational 13). (figure amenities at the park of recreational SHP has a wealth Ross Fort on the Sonoma opportunities. Situated spectacular are County Coast, there hillsides. of the ocean and wooded views hiking, surf the view while enjoy Visitors boating, beach fishing, tide pooling, diving, the coast.combing, and picnicking along Picnicking near the visitor located Picnic tables are in the House, the Call Ranch to next center, Cove. and at Sandy compound, fort Restrooms and center at the visitor are Restrooms compound. at the fort pit toilets are there Trails Several times a year, this usually this usually times a year, Several thriving a into transforms quiet park settlement.international Special events, and living Festival Ross the Fort such as thousands of people attract days history in historical and participate watch to and cultural reenactments, activities, programs. destination, thanks is a popular The park Living its Environmental in part to Day Living and Environmental Program take schoolchildren where programs, and and characters, roles on historical within the fort. tasks perform 43 Reconstructed windmill, 2013. Reconstructed Figure 12. Figure Significant archaeological excavations excavations Significant archaeological aided and local universities CSP by of the Chapel, in the reconstruction House, and Kuskov Officer’s Barracks, within the original fort’s the Magasin and in conjunction with FRC CSP, walls. to money raised other partners have the like structures and safeguard restore of a replica House. Most recently, Rotchev 12) was windmill (figure an original RAC in the southeast edge of the Day erected lot.Use parking 2.2.3 Transition to a State Park to 2.2.3 Transition Historical the California In 1903, the Ross purchased Committee Landmarks Three the Call family. from area stockade acquired of California the State later, years public. the to opened it and it was the site has done (CSP) Parks State California and reconstruction, restoration extensive the preserve to adding acreage while The Rotchev environment. surrounding of National Register on the House is listed Places. Historic Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Figure 13. Fort Ross’ visitor center, trails, and historic features.

22 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 23 2.4 Collections a thousand has over SHP Ross Fort museum objects in its and interpretive 270 approximately are collection. There most other center; objects in the visitor compound, in the fort located objects are buildings, and the Call House. ranch the to relate center Objects in the visitor themes and primary interpretive park’s exhibits and rotating periods. Permanent Kashia, Native to relating stories illustrate groups. cultural and Russian Alaskan, relating Exhibits and films discuss themes Company the Russian-American to period, the the American ranching (RAC), California to of the property transition and local maritime history. Parks, State from objects recovered Archaeological the stories tell scientific investigations time. over at the fort people lived of how art and Russian Alaskan, Kashia, Native and other personal objects describe to related and customs beliefs cultural these groups. compound’s house interpretive The fort structure each how demonstrate displays (1812-1840). era used during the RAC was through wander to encouraged are Visitors the buildings on self-guided exploration. and be touched can displays of the Many and special programs interpretive used for events. the interpret The Call House exhibits and their (1873-1908) ranch Call family used for Some objects are there. lives and special events. programs interpretive Accessible Features Accessible lot, Use parking center, visitor The Day and the Trail, Interpretive Ross the Fort The fort accessible. are Trail Call House all accessibility to limited compound has restrooms accessible are buildings. There at the fort and center at the visitor compound. , a ship that sank A dirt trail leads to the Russian leads to the A dirt trail to Sandy Cemetery and Orthodox the fort compound. Cove from trail from the Campground The Reef three-four miles, visitor center is be extended north round trip. It can and south along the along park bluffs southbound hikers coast. North or fort and a look at see views of the action along the San the earthquake Andreas Fault.

• • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Beaches have Cove Ross and Fort Cove Sandy beaches and tide pools via access to is a large Cove Sandy pedestrian trails. beach with plenty of space to sandy The Some tide pooling is available. roam. north of the fort the to Cove Ross Fort tide at low and rocky, compound is very tide pooling. access to provides Fishing rockfish catch When in season, visitors and in kayaks. the shore from Abalone Diving abalone is open at certain red for Diving in season. coast when places off the park’s Department of Fish and The California the abalone and other regulates Wildlife fisheries within the park. Diving the can explore Certified scuba divers the S.S. Pomona of wreck more than 100 years ago off Fort Ross Ross ago off Fort 100 years than more 40 feet sits approximately and now Cove under water. Camping (first- has 20 sites Campground The Reef but with flush toilets come, first-served) closed due to It is currently no showers. service reductions. Ethnographic materials include: Collections Categories • Native American material such Fort Ross SHP’s collections reinforce as: Kashia, Pomo, and other interpretive messages and enhance the Native California Indian cooking visitor experience. These objects fall under baskets, food processing items, the following categories: a baby carrier, hunting tools and equipment, and clam shell beads Items recovered from archaeological

(figure 15). investigations• Native Alaskan (figure and 14) Nativeinclude: American: glass, shell, and ceramic beads, bone and metal tools, earthenware

and spear points, and other hunting tools.fragments, shell fishhooks, projectile • Russian-American Company related items include metal tools and implements, personal items, religious items, beads, jewelry beads, glass and ceramic shards.

Figure 15. Kashia and other Native American objects.

• Native Alaskan materials such as clothing, personal items, and trade beads. Hunting tools and equipment like a baidarka and hunting spears. There are small models of Native Figure 14. Items from archaeological Alaskan boats, such as an umiak investigations. baskets. • Ethnicand kayak, Russian as well clothing, as figurines personal and items, textiles, religious art, books,

tools, and equipment (figure 16).

24 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 25 Pelts and hides including sea otter, hides including Pelts and coyote, mink, elk, rabbit, fur seal, deer, cattle, beaver, sheep, raccoon, and fox. history Plants and natural specimens. journals, Photographs, staff past exhibits. brochures, and

• • • California State Parks memorabilia memorabilia Parks State California includes: Russian-American Company Company Russian-American Items from the S.S. Pomona shipwreck include boat parts and items recovered from the shipwreck. Call House and Ranch-related items include furniture, textiles, cooking and eating utensils, clothing and personal items, artwork, books, and farm and agricultural equipment. Reproduction and period 19th Reproduction and period 19th century furniture, textiles, cooking and eating utensils, clothing and personal items, , religious items and art, and warehouse-related trade goods. Reproduction and period 19th Reproduction and period 19th century blacksmith, cooper, carpentry, scientific instruments, agricultural, and military-related tools and equipment. Maps, letters, photographs and Maps, letters, photographs and digital images, books, documents, and other research materials.

• • • • • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Figure 16. Figure objects. archaeological include: materials Documentary (archival) Natural history specimens include: history Natural General artifacts include: artifacts General Endnotes deposits on top of the terrace. Other lupines are present on the terraces. 1. E.A.P. Crownhart-Vaughanand Basil Dmytryshyn, Colonial Russian America: 12. The deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) Kyrill T. Khlebnikov’s Reports, 1817- transmits the bacteria that causes 1832. (Portland, OR: Oregon Historical Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) Society, 1976), 106. in eastern North America. For more information, see the University of 2. Fort Ross Interpretive Association, Fort California Integrated Pest Management Ross, edited by Lyn Kalani, Lynn Rudy, website. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ and John Sperry (Jenner, CA: Fort Ross PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7485.htmll. Interpretive Association, 1998), 13. 13. California State Parks introduced the 3. Crownhart-Vaughan and Dmytryshyn Monterey cypress. These trees quickly 1976, 117-121. grew to dominate the fort’s view shed 4. The Western Regional Climate Center landscape (1906-2013). (WRCC) is partners with the National and only reflect one era of the cultural Oceanic and Atmospheric Association 14. Coniferous trees soon mixed with and the US Department of the Interior. hardwoods in the upper elevations. More information about WRCC can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/. Ross SHP as it is at the southern extent 5. According to Figure 8.3 of the Sonoma 15. Grandof its range. fir is not as predominate at Fort County Hazard Mitigation Plan, Fort Ross SHP is considered extremely 16. Fort Ross Conservancy, 1998 vulnerable to damage if an earthquake occurs. (Sonoma County Permit and 17. California Department of Fish and Resource Management Department, Wildlife, “CNDDB Maps & Data”, 2011.) accessed November 19, 2013. http:// www.dfg.ca.gov/about/data.html. 6. Biotic Resources was summarized from the Fort Ross Conservancy’s webpage, 18. CSP, California Department of Parks Fort Ross Conservancy, The Natural and Recreation, Fort Ross SHP, Maps/ Environment of Sonoma Coast, 1998. Brochures,, 2013. http://www. http://www.fortross.org/visitors.htm parks.ca.gov/MediaGallery/?page_ (accessed 2/22/2013). Species noted id=449&m=brochures (accessed here can be found in Appendix A. 5/13/2013). 7. Fishing and abalone diving is heavily 19. Fort Ross Interpretive Association regulated along the coast. 1998, 6. 8. The California sea otter, once populous 20. Fort Ross Interpretive Association here, was hunted to near extinction 1998, 6. in the 19th century. River otters can sometimes be seen off the coast. 21. Fort Ross Interpretive Association 1998, 6. 9. Bishop pine is a common tree species found close to the coastline. Douglas 22. The Coast Miwok were one of several tribes with whom the Kashia traded. south of the fort. Some Kashia became paid employees of the Russian-American Company. firs are invading some of the terraces 10. Himalaya blackberry thrives in creeks and near seeps. 23. CSP brochure, 2013. 11. Bush lupine also prefers old beach 24. The RAC established Fort Elizabeth on

26 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PARK RESOURCES SUMMARY 27 Ross, was granted to Manual Torres Torres Manual to granted was Ross, History Munro-Frasier, J.P. in 1845. Including Countyof Sonoma [Cal.]: Mountains, Topography, Its Geology, and Full a with and Streams; Valleys Spanish of the Record Particular History Settlement and Its Early Grants; 1880, 374). & Company, Bowen (Alley, 11/19/13. Accessed 1998, 22-23. 1998, 23-26. 40. Rancho Muniz, which included Fort Fort included Muniz, which 40. Rancho Association Interpretive Ross 41. Fort Association Interpretive Ross 42. Fort 2013. brochure, 43. CSP , edited by by , edited (New York: Oxford Oxford (New York: University Press, 1976), 124-125. Press, University from Boston, MA. The RAC would often often would RAC MA. The Boston, from Boston with the food pelts for trade merchants. food supply to potential its agricultural colonies. the Alaskan for California of Russian the population or 500 100 Russians, included “rarely (Gibson 1976, persons altogether” that Black noted Lydia 115). Historian and 102 Native 26 Russian were there in 1818 (Black at Ross living Alaskans 2004, 181). (McGhie Coast on the West shipyard Allan III 2001, 40). Unpublished Archive: Khlebinikov Notes Journal: 1800-1830 and Travel (1820, 1822, and 1824) SHP. Ross at Fort exist changing the America: in Frontier of Russian of supply geography 1784-1867 America, the Hawaiian island of Kauai. island of the Hawaiian John Bisk, by translated Leonid Shur, 1990), Press: of Alaska (The University 101. 33. Khlebnikov 1990, 58. 33. Khlebnikov 1990, 116-117. 34. Khlebnikov 35. Gibson 1976, 30. 36. Gibson 1976, 187-188. 37. Gibson 1976, 138. 1990, 117. 38. Khlebnikov 39. Gibson 1976, 51. 26. The Fort Ross site was also chosen for also chosen for was site Ross 26. The Fort R. Gibson, author James to 27. According of the first the site was Ross 28. Fort The Khlebnikov, 29. Kiril Timofeevich 32. James R. Gibson, Imperial Russia 25. The American ship captains hailed captains hailed American ship 25. The 1990, 56. 30. Khlebnikov still cherry and apple trees 31. The RAC Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 28 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 29 2 1 Park grounds are open from sunrise to sunrise to open from are grounds Park center, sunset. compound, visitor The fort 10:00 open from are and all other facilities 4:30 p.m. a.m. to Accessible Features and the lot,The main parking restrooms, accessible. The Fort fully are center visitor to center the visitor leading from trail Ross Cove Beach Sandy the and out to the Fort compound The fort is accessible. overlook details, more For accessibility. has limited Exhibit Accessibility see Appendix F: and Critique. Survey Visitor Center built in the 1976- was center The visitor and the original exhibits 1977 fiscal year, in 1985. Minor additions to installed were been amenities have and visitor exhibits opened. center added since the visitor The main park entrance is from Highway Highway is from entrance park The main pay gate, entrance an to drive 1. Visitors lot. in the main and park fee, the parking and those with limited groups large For straight drive may cars and buses mobility, lot, the parking past the replica through the fort to dirt road the windmill, and take unload passengers, and compound itself, park. lot to the parking back to then drive visitor the from leads A pedestrian trail compound, Russian the fort to center Cemetery, Orthodox Russian Village site, overlook. Cove the Sandy and to is across orchard historic Ross The Fort .25 about Road Ross on Fort the highway see the historic 1. To miles east of Highway up or drive either walk visitors orchard, .5 miles and access the site Road Ross Fort picnic are side. There on the right-hand signage at the tables and interpretive orchard. Park Hours of Operation Park Access Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Getting to the Park on the located park is a remote Ross Fort Sonoma County coast. access the Visitors of State stretch two-lane on a rural, park miles north of 1. It is eleven Highway of San Francisco, 84 miles north Jenner, of Gualala. and 27 miles south of the town and stations, stores, Services such as gas in the vicinity. scarce are restaurants the times from driving Approximate major cities: following hours Santa Rosa—1.5 hours San Francisco—2 hours Sacramento—3.5 hours Bragg—2 Fort 3.1 Access, Orientation, 3.1 Access, Orientation, and Circulation CHAPTER 3: EXISTING 3: EXISTING CHAPTER CONDITIONS existing the 3 documents Chapter Historic State Ross at Fort conditions First, chapter the (SHP) and vicinity. Park and park the access visitors how describes orientation park including center, visitor visitation it presents Then, and circulation. show to and demographics information and interpretive park use the visitors how the describes chapter Next,offerings. the and educational interpretive existing operational the by followed services, services. these affect that resources information 3 provides chapter Finally, partners and organizations about the FRSHP’s support and complement that in The information services. interpretive analysis gap develop is used to chapter this and improving for and recommendations and exhibits services interpretive expanding center. visitor the for Visitor Amenities From the multi-purpose room, visitors The visitor center has restrooms, may exit to a deck, where there are picnic orientation information, formal exhibits, tables in the patio. Visitors may access and a multi-purpose room for viewing request or by appointment. Park and an outside deck patio with picnic the reference library (figure 18) upon building. Visitors may exit the building parktables, films. and Ita comfortablealso has a reference seating area.library, The park and cooperating association FRCfrom offices the rear are of located the building at the (oppositefront of the the entrance) to access the Fort Ross trail, this building. All public space is accessible. which leads down to the Fort and to Sandy Beach Cove. The Call House trail leads administrative offices are located within from the visitor center to the Call picnic Circulation area. Both trails are accessible. Visitors access the visitor center from a covered paved walkway leading from the parking lot. They enter through two sets of glass doors and into an entry vestibule. Restrooms are located in a hallway to the left of the front doors. Once inside the main hall, museum store, where they may receive information about thevisitors park from first asee Fort the Ross Conservancy (FRC) employee or from a park employee.

Visitors access the exhibit hall to the left of the front doors. The exhibits follow a circular route and end back at the main hall. From here, visitors exit the building through two sets of glass doors, which leads down a set of stairs or ramp to the main trail that leads to the Fort complex.

Visitors may also walk through the museum store and into the multi-purpose

Figure 18. Reference library roomchairs (figure and sofas 17), surround where there the workingare chairs set up to view park films. Overstuffed 3 All the seating and exhibits are movable to fireplace at the other end of the room.

provide maximum flexibility of the space.

Figure 17. Multi-purpose room, FRC 2013.

30 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 31 136,461 206,129 Average 7,038 62,700 172,543 224,242 2010/ 2011 6,477 45,222 138,019 191,836 2009/ 2010 6,641 47,176 sport fishing & abalone diving historic site interest artistic (e.g., photography, painting) Intentional visitors: those who Intentional visitors: to visit and intended and planned themselves time who have allowed Ross, no matter to spend at Fort the visit. their motive for those who were Accidental visitors: cycling or walking simply driving, the coast highway or coastal trail and needed a place to stretch ask their legs, go to the bathroom, questions, etc. 168,308 243,203 2008/ 2009 8,546 66,349

• • • • • Fort Ross SHP tends to be either a be either to SHP tends Ross Fort point, or a brief respite destination pattern This on the visitor. depending two into visitors separating to lends itself primary categories: Intentional visitors are further categorized further categorized are visitors Intentional their for or motive based on interest below order): planned visit (in no particular 172,783 250,973 2007/ 2008 7,669 70,521 6 194,230 284,074 9,339 2006/ 2007 80,505 4 115,292 184,901 5,367 2005/ 2006 64,242 It reflects attendance attendance It reflects 5 69,195 135,596 5,292 2004/ 2005 61,109 Camping 6,414 134,204 61,318 Table 3. Fort Ross SHP Visitor Attendance SHP Visitor Ross Fort 3. Table Fiscal Year 2003/ 2004 Paid Day Use Day Paid 66,472 Total Fee Day Use Day Fee to all areas of the park (including sub- of the park all areas to and Campground units such as the Reef 224,242 In 2010, over Use area). Day of many park, this remote people visited travelers. international were whom Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 3.2 Visitor Assessment 3.2 Visitor Profile 3.2.1 Visitor not is currently Statistical information on age or gender of visitors. available from ages range visitor Anecdotally, old and visitation 90 years over to infant Fort gender. by distributed is evenly for can be challenging SHP’s terrain Ross therefore, mobility; with limited visitors visited is the most center the visitor One additional this user group. by facility that most was anecdotal observation or of family part of a group were visitors than singles. friends, rather 3.2.2 Visitation Data annual the reported shows 3 Table SHP as compiled Ross Fort visitation to System Park State the California from Statistical Reports. • survey. For 2012, the Fort Ross SHP (e.g., beachcombing, tide pooling, kayaking)coastal access not related to fishing 459 visitors were surveyed, and 97.82% bilingualused English, survey .007% tally used sheet American reflected that • picnicking Sign Language, and .015% used Russian • hiking as their primary language. Anecdotal 7 evidence by visitor center staff, however, • camping indicates that Russian speakers represent • school groups8 50% of overall visitors to the park. • religious9 Table 4. 2010-2012 Visitor Language • cultural practice10 Survey No formalized method for capturing % of % of attendance numbers to the visitor center Primary Visitors Visitors existed prior to this document. Numbers Language 2010 2012 Average were concluded to be approximately American 62,700 visitors annually, based on Sign - 00.09 00.05 the average number of paid Day Use Language visitors. Statistical information was also Armenian 0.82 - 00.41 unavailable regarding visitors’ addresses; Cantonese/ anecdotally, it is estimated that the 01.54 - 00.77 majority of visitors live in California. Yue Dutch - 00.09 00.05 Anecdotal evidence shows that the park English 82.00 98.53 90.00 draws a majority of its visitors from the greater Sacramento and San Francisco French - 00.17 00.09 Bay region, including the nearest urban German 01.23 - 00.62 town, Santa Rosa. Since Fort Ross SHP Hebrew - 00.04 00.02 is a unique site, it also attracts visitors nationwide, as well as internationally. Ilocano - 00.04 00.02 Anecdotal evidence suggests that Japanese - 00.17 00.09 increasing numbers of Russian or Ukrainian-Americans visit the park. Korean 01.23 00.09 00.66 Fort Ross SHP maintains a high political Mandarin - 00.09 00.05 Russian 00.10 00.13 00.12 dignitaries on a regular basis for visits, profile,conferences, bringing meetings, in foreign and and events. domestic Spanish 09.47 00.56 05.02 Vietnamese 03.60 - 01.80 The California State Park Bilingual Survey results from 2010 and 2012 for the Russian River District revealed that a majority of visitors surveyed speak English as their primary language, with an average of 90%.11 Other languages that averaged above 1% of visitors were Spanish and Vietnamese. Table 4 indicates the reported primary languages spoken by visitors surveyed in 2010 and 2012. It

entire Russian River District bilingual is noteworthy that the table reflects the

32 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 33 12 Bay Area counties Area Bay to other ethnic groups. to other Area had smaller The Bay below of people living percentages and line than California, the poverty the nation as a whole.

• Figure 19. Figure The Bay Area’s ethnic group percentages were very different. Hispanic groups had much higher percentages on average, followed by Asian, then white. Marin and Sonoma had a higher percentage of Hispanics California’s largest ethnic groups are Hispanic (39.70%) followed by White (38.10%) and Asian (13.6%). In California and the Bay Area, the In California and the Bay Area, largest percentage of the population is age 20-64. While this will continue to be the same trend in 2040, the people age 55 and older will have the greatest increase (129%) by 2040. Santa Clara County has the largest Santa Clara County has the largest concentration of people, and will continue to have the largest population in the Bay Area in 2040. The largest age groups in the Bay is Area were those aged 34-64. This not expected to change in the next 30 years. California’s population will increase California’s population will increase by nearly one-third by 2040. 19% of California’s population Bay (7,165,778 people) lives in the Area.

• • • • • • • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 3.2.3 Regional Data 3.2.3 Regional in Sonoma County SHP is located Ross Fort San Francisco of the greater and is part comprised of is Area The Bay Area. Bay Costa, Contra nine counties: Alameda, San Mateo, Francisco, Marin, Napa, San Sonoma counties Solano and Santa Clara, most populous cities 19). The five (figure San Jose, in 2010 were in these counties and Oakland, Fremont, San Francisco, Santa Rosa. yielded the estimates The 2010 census about information demographic following 5-10): (Tables Area the Bay Table 5. 30-year Population Projections State and Bay Area Estimate 2010 Projections 2040 % Change Population Trends California 37,312,510 47,983,659 29 Alameda County 1,513,251 1,705,642 13 Contra Costa County 1,052,024 1,381,576 31 Marin County 252,727 264,910 5 Napa County 136,659 171,625 26 San Francisco County 807,048 845,750 5 San Mateo County 719,467 791,781 10 Santa Clara County 1,787,267 2,164,936 21 Solano County 413,154 533,041 29 Sonoma County 484,181 574,347 19 Projections prepared by Demographic Research Unit, California Department of Finance, May 2012.

Table 6. California Age Group Projections, 2010-2040 Age Group 2010 2010 % of 2040 2040 % of Total % of Population Population Change 0-19 10,468,257 28.06 11,792,321.04 25 13 20-64 22,591,038 60.55 26,431,288 55 17 65+ 4,253,215 11.40 9,760,050.54 20 129 Total 37,312,510 100.00 47,983,659.58 100 29

34 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 35 2040 Bay Area Projections Area 2040 Bay Age Groups by County; California, 2010. California, County; by Age Groups Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table 8. Table Table 7. Table Table 9. Ethnic Groups Percentages; California, 2010.

Table 10. Ethnic Groups by County, 2010.

36 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 37 (www. provides provides park information for the Environmental Living Programs and the Environmental Living Day Programs. The site has some cultural and natural history and park orientation information. Facebook page “Friends of Fort Ross” event calendar and park information. The FRC maintains this page. CSP website (www.parks. ca.gov/?page_id=449) orientation information, interpretive and educational programs, event calendar, historic overview, cultural, natural, and recreational resource information, and links to the FRC’s website and other resources. Fort Ross SHP interpretation and education website Fortrossstatepark.org) The historic fort complex has house fort complex The historic building exhibits in each museum Russian- life during the that depict era. American Company house museum The Call house has the ranching era exhibits that depict life there. Tours and the Call family’s first two weekends are available the each month. and There are interpretive near the entrance orientation panels kiosk, the visitor center entrance, and along the Fort Ross Trail. Topics for these panels include the Park overview and orientation, Russian windmill, Native Alaskan Village site, Russian Village site, Russian Orthodox Cemetery, the Call family ranch, Fort Ross industry and shipbuilding.

• • • • • • 3.3.1b Available in the Park Available in 3.3.1b 3.3.1c Available Online 14 13 Historic overview of Fort Ross SHP video is shown at the visitor center, and can be purchased online, and from the sales area. The FRC provides walking tour The FRC provides walking tour brochures in English and Russian. » » The FRC maintains an extensive research library at the visitor center. Some of these materials are available to view on the FRC website. Interpretive panels and museum displays in the visitor center provide an overview of the park’s natural resources and cultural history. Audio-Visual Programs » Interpretive program brochures and Interpretive program brochures event flyers. » Park brochure (available online and Park brochure (available online in print form)

• • • • • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 3.3 Existing Interpretation Interpretation 3.3 Existing and Education Historic State Ross Fort remote, Though tourists, (SHP) is popular among Park offers The park groups. locals, and school and of educational programs a variety immersion cultural services, including kids. Thousands of people for programs the held throughout events cultural attend international are visitors and many year, travelers. 3.3.1 Non-personal Interpretation is Non-personal interpretation available media and facilities interpretive use without the presence to visitors to include of staff. Non-personal services panels, signs, wayside exhibits, brochures, has Ross Fort videos, and audio programs. and media available facilities the following self-guided interpretation: for 3.3.1a Available at the Visitor Center • Fort Ross Conservancy Facebook talks or tours per day on the weekends. page highlights organizational news Interpreters discuss the park’s natural relating to Fort Ross. and cultural history, which focuses on the Kashia, Russian-American Company • Fort Ross Conservancy’s website (RAC), Ranching era, and the present day. (www.fortross.org) offers a virtual The FRC also offers these tours in Russian. park tour in English and Russian languages, park orientation Volunteer-Led Presentations information, an overview of the park’s natural and cultural On occasion, volunteers demonstrate historic activities and/or represent people history, event calendar, volunteer who were living at the Colony Ross. For opportunities, FRC membership, the example, a volunteer will work in the FRC digital library and catalog, and armory cleaning muskets and interact links to related resources. with visitors. Volunteers take on many tasks and roles, such as broom makers, 3.3.2 Personal Interpretation Russian families, Kashia people, cooking demonstrations, and basket making. Personal interpretation involves an interpreter interacting with visitors through face-to-face contact. In 2011, 248 Cannon Firing Demonstration interpretive programs were held at Fort If crowds are big, by special request, Ross SHP, including tours, presentations, or if tour groups are present, the fort’s demonstrations, roving interpretation, special events, and children’s programs. audience participants. cannons can be fired with the help of adult Roving Interpretation 3.3.2a Tours Interpreters interact with visitors to Call House answer questions, and give impromptu talks and information about the natural The Call house is open for volunteer- and cultural history of the park. month. led tours the first two weekends of each 3.3.2c Special Events15 Group Tours Special events in the winter and spring Any group can schedule a private tour combine Russian and Kashia families, of the fort compound. The tour includes highlighting traditions and various aspects exploration time, and participants assist of Fort Ross before and after the Russian- American Company era. programs, and family reunions often make inup firing these the groups. cannon. Colleges, elder hostel The Fort Ross Festival Previously known as Cultural Heritage 3.3.2b Presentations and Day, this is a one or two day event held Demonstrations in late July. This event highlights historic and contemporary traditions of Fort Ross. Interpreter-Led Presentations The Festival is the largest event of the year Interpretive presentations are offered in and includes exhibitors, vendors, sales, the fort compound during the day when historic demonstrations, performances, the fort is open. There are two interpretive and cultural presentations by the Russian and Kashia communities.

38 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 39 CSP 090-p77307 ELP program, experience, loved historical loved historical experience, learning. and hands-on simulation remember will (and do) Students lives. the rest of their this for activities included Most memorable cooking, sleeping in the night watch, their role group, historic buildings, cannon firing, and military protocol, poke pole fishing. wonderful, helpful, Interpreters are Parents thorough, and accessible. were well informed. ELP curriculum manual and workshop was very helpful and for complete in preparing teacher trip.

• • • • Figure 20. Figure Many schools book special programs for for schools book special programs Many last compound. These programs the fort and exploration, free by followed an hour, Programs a cannon-firing demonstration. school each age group, for tailored are requests. curriculum, and teachers’ (ELP) Environmental Living Program school-aged children offers This program the that explores experience a park humans and their between interaction Students learn about environment. of Russian- and lifestyles the cultures at Colony employees American Company recreate to and use this knowledge Ross, studied. and era elements of the culture children for program This is an overnight grade grade th to 5 rd 18 19 Students totally entranced by History presentations were lively and memorable for students. Students enjoyed getting into character.

• • • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 3.3.3d Children’s Programs 3.3.3d Children’s Programs 3 SHP hosts mostly Ross Fort This special event commemorated the commemorated This special event by Ross Fort establishment of 200-year The event Company. the Russian-American CSP publicized and attended. well was survey intercept a visitor staff conducted event. of the Bicentennial on both days questions participants answered Survey and at the event, about their experience future them for that interested topics show of the survey The results exhibits. a previous been to had visitors of that 40% voting Topic at the park. CHD event evenly nearly were that visitors indicated of the topic Results topics. across divided discussed the topics close to are voting stakeholder and prioritized at the two meetings. The Fort Ross Harvest Festival focuses on focuses Festival Harvest Ross The Fort history, agricultural colony’s Ross the Fort The and windmill. the orchard especially through season the harvest interprets park fruit, juicing, baking, harvesting activities, and performances. Days 2012 Cultural Heritage students for all programs, because current because current all programs, students for designed are programs interpretive and Standards State the California around this age group. for standards Framework and on curriculum framework more (For of the see Appendix B.) Many standards, the San school participants come from and area, Sacramento area, bay Francisco Mendocino County. all teachers sent to is form An evaluation in the interpretive participate who from comments General programs. include: teachers Conservancy (FRC) offers community period costumes and represent real people service projects to youth and adults who gradeswho lived three and to worked five. Children at the fort.dress During in volunteer at the park. their stay, they perform tasks that portray the culture and profession of their historic Archaeology Programs Local colleges and universities, such as Thecharacter ELP incorporates (figure 20). demonstrations, the University of California, Berkeley hands on activities, and follow-up student and California State University, Sonoma assignments. conduct archeological digs and research of the Metini Kashia village, Russian The Virtual Warehouse Program is a Orthodox cemetery, and elsewhere. virtual tour and educational component developed for the ELP. Volunteer Training Program Fort Ross SHP staff holds volunteer ELP Curriculum orientation and trainings annually. Select Fort Ross SHP provides a curriculum volunteers are trained in using the cannon binder (updated annually) to teachers and black powder. who participate in the ELP and ELDP. The curriculum includes Russian, California The Fort Ross Conservancy offers a variety Native, and Alaskan Native cultural crafts, of different educational and interpretive recipes, projects and skills for children programs for park visitors and volunteers, to practice at home, in class or on site at including Marine Mammal Monitoring, special lectures and workshops, tours, California State Standards of Education for volunteer service projects, and Russian- their field trip. Curriculum is based on language interpretive tours.

Environmentalgrades three to Livingfive. Day Program 3.3.2f Program Attendance (ELDP)20 Interpretive program data revealed in The ELDP is an abbreviated version of the 2011 that 2,815 people attended the ELP, where students come for a full day 153 one hour interpretive talks offered instead of staying overnight. in the fort compound, and 3,002 people attended the 72 Environmental Living ELP and ELDP Workshop for Teachers Program (ELP) and Environmental 16 Once a year, the park offers training Studies Programs (ESP). Table 11 shows for teachers new to the ELP and ELDP reported on-site interpretive programs programs. Teachers receive the curriculum and attendance for Fort Ross SHP in 17 manual and information needed to 2011. prepare students for each program.

3.3.2e Educational Services

Service Learning Occasionally, a Boy or Girl Scout troop comes to the fort for a service project. They work from four to six hours, stay overnight in the fort’s blockhouses,

and fire the cannon. The Fort Ross 40 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 41 4 60 12 19 597 153 975 2405 2815 2900 9,692 TOTAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 12 120 120 Dec 0 2 1 0 5 82 16 20 210 245 Nov 6 3 1 1 8 80 340 180 300 200 Oct 0 0 0 2 0 5 12 40 210 265 Sept 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 15 380 270 Aug 0 0 2 1 2 50 19 420 240 2500 July Total 2011 Program Attendance 2011 Program Total 0 0 0 0 3 5 70 14 200 220 Jun 1 3 2 60 13 10 360 305 135 105 May 0 0 1 3 7 80 24 290 355 110 Apr 0 0 3 1 9 7 20 275 150 100 Mar 0 0 0 0 1 4 20 12 190 125 Feb 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 40 50 160 Jan Monthly Attendance for Special Events for Attendance Monthly Monthly Attendance Other Attendance Monthly Special Events Interpretive Monthly Attendance: ELDP Attendance: Monthly Interpretation Other On-site Monthly Attendance: ELP Attendance: Monthly # of ELDP Monthly Attendance for Interpretive Talks Interpretive for Attendance Monthly # of ELP 2011 Program Talks # of Interpretive Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table 11. Interpretive Program Attendance Program 11. Interpretive Table 3.4 Operational Resources Ross Festival, costumes, and miscellaneous interpretive supplies Operational Resources describes located in the fort compound, the infrastructure that may be affected by a visitor center, and offsite. new visitor center project. interpretive staffing levels, facilities, and Interpretive Facilities Facilities that are used in interpretive Fort Ross SHP Interpretive Staff services and park orientation: The following positions are dedicated to providing interpretive services: • Entrance kiosk • One State Park Aid, seasonal • Visitor center • One Park Interpretive Specialist, • Replica windmill seasonal • Call house • One State Park Interpreter I, • Fort compound Permanent Intermittent »» • The Fort Ross Conservancy (FRC) »» Rotchev House employs a program manager who Officers Barracks develops and delivers interpretive »» Kuskov House services and designs special events. »» Magazin • Over 100 volunteers »» Chapel »» Blockhouses Training and Evaluations • All interpretive staff undergoes • Fort Ross Trail RAPPORT evaluations (DOM Section »» Interpretive panels 21 0900.3.2.1). »» Interpretive garden • Environmental Living Program • Historic orchard (ELP) teachers evaluate interpreters during the course of their program. 3.5 Partnerships and • Volunteers are required to attend Support an annual training and orientation 3.5.1 Cooperating Associations Facilitiesbriefing that Supportprior to Interpretiveevent. The Fort Ross Conservancy (FRC) is a Programs California State Parks (CSP) Cooperating • California State Parks (CSP) and FRC interpretive staff has access to a organization whose mission is to promote computer in the visitor center and an Associationeducational and 501(c)interpretive (3) nonprofit activities at Fort Ross SHP and Salt Point State Park (SP). The FRC has been in operation since • Resource library in the visitor 1976.22 center.office in the fort compound. • FRC’s Goals and Objectives come out of the FRC budget. Office and interpretive supplies • Promoting public awareness and • Storage closets for the ELP, Fort understanding of the natural and

42 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 43 3.5.2 Partners and Interpretive Interpretive and 3.5.2 Partners Providers other funding and/or provide Partners support, educational interpretive and community service programs, in the providers Interpretive programs. and interpretive also provide may region Fort to that relate educational programs These themes. SHP’s interpretive Ross not listed as others as well organizations, expanded offer to potential the have here, and services, programs interpretive and information such as orientation at their locations or on panels interpretive (table 12). their websites Raising funds to accomplish the Conservancy’s mission and goals. Sponsoring, supporting, and assisting scientific research and investigations relating to Fort Ross SHP and Salt Point SP, and the dissemination of this information to the public. Preserving, conserving, enhancing, Preserving, conserving, enhancing, and and restoring the biodiversity the natural resources within the Park. Supporting State Park volunteers in Supporting State Park volunteers Parks programs. Supporting the development and maintenance of interpretive facilities, trails, and the research library. Producing and making available to Producing and making and interested park visitors, friends, or free distribution, people, by sale educational suitable interpretive, materials and and supportive but not limited services, including, to, books, maps, pamphlets, visuals, the and recordings, consistent with stated purposes of this Conservancy. cultural history of Fort Ross SHP and history of Fort cultural SP. Salt Point and enhancing, Supplementing, and educational conserving relating to the interpretive activities park.

• • • • • • • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort From 2011 through today, the FRC has the FRC today, 2011 through From SHP Ross Fort $700,000 to over donated projects, funding infrastructural through staffing, underwriting subsidizing CSP to related and initiating research events, listing of projects, a complete For the park. . visit www.fortross.org Table 12. Partners and Interpretive Providers

Organization Involvement Category Interpretive Provider Interpretive Support Interpretive Fiscal Support The Kashia Band Members participate in Tribal of Pomo Indians cultural interpretation, government of Stewarts Point carry on cultural traditions Rancheria at park, consultant X X in tribal matters and representation, and participate in archaeology programs.23 California State Conducts archaeology Educational University, Sonoma investigations at Fort Ross institution X SHP and provides research

University of California, Conducts archaeology Educational Berkeley investigationsfindings. at Fort Ross institution X SHP and provides research

University of Michigan Conducts archaeology Educational investigationsfindings. at Fort Ross institution X SHP and provides research

California State Parks Helps enhance state Foundation (CSPF) parksfindings. with educational programs, capital projects, Non-profit X X competitive grants, and fundraising.24 Russian House Kedry Consultant on Russian culture and history. Provides support for Non-profit X interpretive programs, special events, and cultural activities.25 Russian Center of San This organization provides Francisco workshops and supports X X cultural events at Fort Non-profit Ross SHP.26

44 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan

EXISTING CONDITIONS 45 Fiscal Support Fiscal

X X X X Interpretive Support Interpretive

X X X X X Interpretive Provider Interpretive X X X Non-profit For-profit Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit Category 28 31 30 29 27 Involvement Supports interpretive workshops, programs, and special events, Ross Fort publications at SHP. Provides interpretive interpretive Provides and support, workshops, Fort to related programs and SHP's natural Ross history. cultural interpretive Provides and support, workshops, Fort to related programs and SHP's natural Ross history. cultural Chevron, Transneft Transneft Chevron, helped and Sovcomflot Ross sponsor Fort projects. Bicentennial the FRC to According these companies website, financial contributed interpretive support for workshops, programs, and audio- special events, visual equipment, and Ross of a Fort creation documentary. According to their to According the “promotes website, raise and to preservation Ross of Fort awareness the United throughout This and Russia”. States provided organization the windmill, funding for House the Rotchev and the 2012 exhibits, Celebration. Bicentennial Organization of Russian Congress Americans, Inc. The Presidio Trust The Presidio Gualala Arts Center Chevron, Transneft and Transneft Chevron, Sovcomflot Renova Fort Ross Ross Fort Renova Foundation Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 3.5.3 Public Awareness and 3.5.4 Stakeholders Community Involvement A stakeholder is a person who has a stake Fort Ross SHP has strong ties to local, in a place, program, issue, or process national, and international communities. at Fort Ross SHP. Stakeholders may be park employees, user groups, volunteers, for preservation and interpretation neighbors, concessionaires, cooperating Theprograms FRC receives at the park. financial Fort supportRoss SHP associations, government agencies, and the FRC have volunteer programs local ethnic and cultural groups, and whose members support the park with community decision-makers (DOM Section interpretive programs and special events, 0902.3.1). In many instances, stakeholders research, service projects, and more. This may be current or potential interpretive section describes some of the programs providers and partners (table 13). and organizations involved in park preservation and interpretation at Fort Ross SHP.

Universities have conducted archeological investigations in the following areas of the park:

• Kashia village site (Metini) • Russian Orthodox cemetery • Sandy Cove, where the Russian- American Company built ships • fort compound north wall • windmill location • S.S. Pomona ship wreck • Native Alaskan village site Volunteer program: • Historic orchard preservation • Call House preservation • Preservation of the fort compound • Marine ecology programs and monitoring Major donors and donations: • support for historic preservation programs).Renova Fort Ross Foundation (fiscal •

interpretiveChevron, Transneft services). and Sovcomflot (fiscal support for interpretation and

46 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 47 Relationship agencies- archaeology Federal resources natural agencies- Federal agencies State archaeology State- universities colleges and State- universities colleges and State- universities colleges and State- colleges and universities American consultation Native State- public schools Area Bay County- Sonoma public schools County- resources cultural organization- resources cultural organization- resources cultural organization- resources cultural organization- resources cultural organization- resources cultural organization- resources natural organization- home school charter, private, educators- home school charter, private, educators- home school charter, private, educators- home school charter, private, educators- home school charter, private, educators- home school charter, private, educators- association cooperating organization- experts subject matter experts subject matter experts subject matter experts subject matter Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento Corps of Engineers, Army and Atmospheric National Ocean (NOAA) Administration Parks State California of Transportation Department California (Caltrans) Sonoma University, State California Marine Lab Bodega UC Davis Berkeley of California, University of Department University, State Michigan Anthropology Kashia Band of Rancheria Point Stewarts Pomo Schools Area Bay California Sonoma County Schools Society Historical Bodega Rancho House Kedry Russian Center Russian Consulate Russian Church Orthodox Russian Traditions Living Society for and Conservation Rehabilitation Sea Otter (SORAC) School Alice Birney School Mills College Children's School Reach Charter Santa Rosa Independent Charter Sebastopol St. Catherine of Siena school Conservancy Ross Fort representatives Call family volunteers Conservancy Ross Fort staff park retired staff park current Stakeholder Organization Stakeholder Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table 13. Stakeholders Table Endnotes volume. 1. For more information about hiking trails 9. Russian Orthodox Churches hold and overall park amenities, see the services at the Fort Ross Chapel each recreational resources section. year. 2. At date of publication, the visitor center 10. Native California Tribal groups like was open to the public on Saturdays, the Kashia Pomo, and Russian cultural Sundays and holidays, except groups like Russian House Kedry, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. From continue their cultural traditions at Memorial Day to Labor Day, the visitor Fort Ross. center was open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Visitor center 11. (State of California 2013). hours were subject to change. 12. Metropolitan Transportation 3. The furnishings, A/V equipment, and Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments, Bay Area Census, park by Renova Fort Ross Foundation n.d. http://www.bayareacensus. parkthrough film Fort were Ross all donatedConservancy to the grants. ca.gov/ (accessed February 25, 2013). 4. While the park has gathered anecdotal 13. A ranch-era history video was in information about visitors and the production in 2013. visitor experience, more data is needed to construct a comprehensive 14. For more information about the digital library, visit FRC’s website, http:// www.Fortross.org/library.htm. 5. Californiavisitor profile. State Parks, “California State Park Statistical Report 2010/2011 15. While not an interpretive event, it is Fiscal Year” (State of California 2011). interesting to note that the Russian Orthodox Church holds services 6. The Department conducted a visitor annually at St. Nicholas Fort Ross study of Fort Ross in 1977, prepared Chapel. under contract by Gerald M. Garth of California State University, Sacramento. 16. California State Park gathers data Although the study is nearly 40 on visitation and interpretation on the CAMP (Computerized Asset still viable when researching visitor Management Program) database. years old, many of the findings are 17. 2011 was deliberately chosen due The study, “Fort Ross Visitors: Their to 2012 being an “atypical” year profiles,Characteristics, needs, andAttitudes, assessments. and for interpretive programming and Management Preferences,” is available visitation because of the Bicentennial in the Department’s Unit Data File and events and further service reductions Archives. in 2012. 7. This category only applies when the Reef campground is open. The 18. See Appendix D for the Bicentennial campground, which is part of Fort visitor survey conducted by CSP staff Ross, has been closed since November at the 2012 Cultural Heritage Days. 2010. While there is other camping in 19. See Appendix E for information the nearby area, it is not part of this unit). The Reef Campground is located regarding the stakeholder meetings. two miles from the Visitor Center. 20. The ELDP is also referred to as the 8. School groups are given their own Environmental Studies Program. category due to unique needs and 21. RAPPORT is an acronym used to

48 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan EXISTING CONDITIONS 49 Association. Rancheria, Point the Stewarts n.d., www. Rancheria, Point Stewarts June 24, (accessed stewartspoint.org 2013). What Foundation Park State California Do, 2013, http://calparks.org/ We (accessed June 24, 2013). programs/ www.kedry.org/engl/about_engl.php (accessed June 24, 2013). 2010, http://www.russiancentersf. 2013). com/home (accessed June 24, n.d. http://www.russian-americans. (accessed June 24, org/index.html 2013). http://fortrossfoundation.org/ (accessed June 24, 2013). Partners, Celebration Bicentennial 2013, http://www.fortross2012.org/ partners.htm (accessed June 24, 2013). http://www.presidio.gov/Pages/ (accessed June 24, 2013). default.aspx (accessed gualalaarts.org/index.html June 24, 2013). convey the key elements of quality elements of quality the key convey Accurate, Relevant, interpretation: Programmatically Provocative, and Retained, Organized, accessible, Thematic. 23. Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of of Pomo 23. Kashia Band Foundation, Park State 24. California http:// 2009, House Kedry, 25. Russian 2001- of San Francisco, Center 26. Russian Americans, Inc., of Russian 27. Congress 2011, Foundation, Ross Fort 28. Renova Ross Fort Conservancy, Ross 29. Fort 2013, Trust, 30. The Presidio-Presidio 2013, http:// 31. Gualala Arts Center, 22. Previously the Fort Ross Interpretive Interpretive Ross the Fort 22. Previously Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 50 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS 51 Convenient to Highway 1. Orient and inspire people to explore the park’s cultural and natural history, and recreational opportunities. Offer information in a variety of formats and methods. Offer diverse and relevant information. Be a community center. Accessible to a wide range of users. Available for different purposes. A place to build local support. Location to celebrate partnerships. Get people inspired to participate in stewardship. Explain where tax dollars are spent. Encourage partnerships and partnerships Encourage interpretive between collaboration and educational providers institutions. needs, Be welcoming, address visitor and provide amenities.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • 4.2 Visitor Center Function 4.2 Visitor and Role Plan (IPP) Project The Interpretation function center’s the visitor evaluated was Information within the park. and role workshops, stakeholder at two collected and calls, and conference correspondence the are Below meetings. in-person team of importance: findings, in order should: centers Visitor Other visitor center qualities include: center Other visitor Reach visitors who cannot visit the park. Increase visitation to the park and encourage repeat visitation. Promote stewardship and encourage people to lessen their impact on the park’s cultural and natural resources.

• • • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Interpretive programs and exhibits at the and exhibits programs Interpretive should enhance the overall center visitor should be able Visitors experience. visitor orientation and an overview park access to when and messages, even stories of key is closed. Expanding center the visitor new content, developing interpretive updating permanent exhibits programs, will help changing exhibits and creating significant the park’s connect people to is an center The visitor resources. locals. Stakeholders to important resource in expanding interest an expressed and offerings interpretive center visitor resources. to: can be used as a tool Interpretation 4.1 Visitor Needs and 4.1 Visitor Needs and Expectations This chapter analyzes the existing existing the analyzes This chapter conditions and operational interpretive Park Historic State Ross Fort the for First, chapter the center. (SHP) visitor needs and visitor) user (staff outlines Then it building. the for and expectations and opportunities center looks at visitor of an analysis Then, it provides constraints. and information, orientation, existing the This analysis offered. services interpretive recommendations basis for the provides in Section 2 Direction Interpretive and the document.of this CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS 4: ANALYSIS CHAPTER OF EXISTING CONDITIONS 4.2.1 Visitor Center Attributes panels cover older exhibits while and Opportunities The building is centrally located and close to Highway 1, the park entrance, and Day areas.changing exhibits crowd out fixed Use parking lot. • Visitorexhibits circulation and overflow through into commonthe building can be awkward because It offers basic amenities such as public of additional exhibits, sales area restrooms and picnic areas that are often merchandise, and when there are programs held in the multi-purpose Sonoma County. room. hard to find in this remote stretch of The visitor center is the orientation hub • There is limited space in research of the park. Exhibits, research library, for people to meet, research, and access to interpretive staff provide people conductlibrary, sales business. area, and offices archives,with information multi-purpose they need. room, films, and • There is limited storage space for People like the sheltered walkway, interpretive, museum, and park restrooms, and sales area conveniently operation supplies. located at the entrance, the large windows • There is limited museum collections and open beam ceilings, large multi- storage space, outdated exhibit within the building, especially the loop cases, and poor exhibit lighting. purposeformat of room, the exhibit and overall hall. visitor flow • The kitchen is too small to accommodate conferences and other The visitor center is a valuable resource to large meetings. the local community; it provides space for events and serves as a place to go during an emergency. 4.2.3 Maintenance and Operational Considerations The visitor center is the main operational 4.2.2 Visitor Center Constraints hub of the park and houses many • The visitor center is currently only user groups. Additional storage and open 3 days a week and people need building improvements are needed to access to orientation information accommodate park administration, when the visitor center is closed. maintenance, interpretive, public safety, and visitor service needs. Desired • The visitor center was constructed improvements include: in the late 1970s, and exhibits were installed in the mid-1980s. Since • Janitorial closets, mechanical rooms, then, park staff and visitor needs for and other maintenance-dedicated this building have changed. rooms as necessary. • Visitors have changed how they use • Storage for museum objects, sales exhibits and learn information since area, interpretive programs, and the exhibits were installed. • Building improvements are needed • Exhibits, content, and presentation administrative offices. styles are outdated. • The visitor center is an emergency • New exhibit cases and interpretive to become more energy efficient.

52 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan ANALYSIS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS 53 Ross SHP and the community. Ross SHP and preservation Conservation natural. both cultural and efforts, » Provide a comprehensive experience in case the visitor center is the only destination people visit. Use both museum objects and hands-on objects to highlight stories. Engage the visitor by using interactive experiences and ‘learning by doing’ activities. Use multiple formats to present information: print, formal exhibits, audio-visual presentations, interpretive programs, special events, and web-based. Accessible for people with limited mobility. Accessible for people with small children and limited time. Provide a variety of information in varying depths, depending on visitor needs. The objective is to provide critical information without overwhelming people with too many concepts. » stories and Use of first-person accounts. stories. More comprehensive broader context. Stories told in a and sensitive Tell the hard stories issues. conservation Stewardship and messages.

• • • • • • • • • • • • 4.4 Interpretive Methods in a should be presented Information many accommodate to of formats variety a broader and reach learning styles example: audience. For The Russian and Russian diaspora’s involvement at Fort How people changed the landscape over time, and their effects on the natural resources. How the landscape and resources affected people’s ability to live there. Present Kashia culture, involvement at Fort Ross SHP, and the community. Far reaching effects that the Russian-American Company and Colony Ross had on trade, science, and society. » » » » » » Carry stories from the past into the present. For example: » » » » Expand stories to include more Expand stories to include more For cause-and-effect relationships. example: shelter for the community. The park the community. shelter for storage and to expand its would like emergency supplies. access to

• • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Exhibit text and content is outdated and is outdated and content Exhibit text information more (For focused. narrowly and exhibits center visitor on the current themes, see Appendix C.) Stakeholders content, history natural more requested and other about sea otters especially In addition, stakeholders marine wildlife. more wanted that they indicated Ross, about people at Fort interpretation American and Native Native especially cultures. Alaskans made to suggestions were The following content: interpretive improve 4.3 Interpretive Content 4.3 Interpretive 4.2.3a Concessions operate to planned are No concessions center. the visitor from 54 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan INTERPRETIVE DIRECTION 55 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort SECTION 2: INTERPRETIVE DIRECTION 2: INTERPRETIVE SECTION It center. visitor at the interpretation for guidelines the presents Direction Interpretive and and themes, periods interpretive interpretation, for and vision mission the identifies the achieving for recommendations the it presents Then, plans and statues. completed and the experience visitor proposed the section describes the Finally, mission and vision. projects. interpretive implementing for steps next Figure 21. Visitor center design, FRC 2011.

56 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PLANNING FRAMEWORK 57 2 The primary purpose of Fort The primary purpose of Fort Ross State Historic Park is to enable is to Park Historic State Ross 5.1.2 Declaration of Purpose for of Purpose statement The Declaration unit’s most SHP identifies the Ross Fort and values and cultural important natural the Department’s indicates and features, in its management. The primary objectives of Purpose is from Declaration following Plan: the 1975 General levels of interpretive planning are the are planning interpretive of levels the (IMP) and Plan Master Interpretation (IAP). These Plan Action Interpretation goals and upon the expand documents a long- GP and provide guidelines in the Fort services. interpretive vision for range an IMP or IAP, SHP does not have Ross and work much of the research however IPP center the visitor done for that was a complete basis to can be used as the IMP and IAP. park-wide of interpretive level The IPP is the fourth It follows the park. for planning document made in the recommendations the overall to the detail required but goes into GP, mission and vision the interpretive deliver This and the park. center the visitor for Visitor of the 1985 document is an update Plan. Interpretive Center been plans have In the past, interpretive and for center the visitor for completed The compound. buildings within the fort handbook Program Living Environmental the educational curriculum and provides planning for interpretive for information era. Company the Russian-American 5.1.1 Federal and State Recognition Historical State is a California Ross Fort and a National Historic Landmark as the Rotchev The fort, as well Landmark. of House, is on the National Register Places. Historic Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 5.1 Existing Plans and 5.1 Existing Plans and Statutes Plan (GP) is the primary The General of each unit management document for (CSP), System Park State the California and primary purpose defining a park’s for establishing a management direction and operation. development its future a clear purpose and vision, providing By and goals guidance on long and short-term guidelines, the GP defines the broadest a possible for management framework ongoing management,unit’s development, and public use. programming, interpretive Historic State Ross The 1975 Fort is called Plan (SHP) General Park Management Plan and the Resource The GP was Plan. Development General of the the development for consulted Plan (IPP). The Project Interpretive Management Plan section of Resource and natural the GP describes the cultural policies and CSP’s park, at the resources these and interpreting managing for Plan Development General The resources. out the goals and section of the GP lays and the natural interpreting guidelines for and sets the direction resources cultural services at the park. interpretive for the second and third the GP, After CHAPTER 5: PLANNING 5: PLANNING CHAPTER FRAMEWORK planning previous describes This chapter of this direction and sets the efforts as such guidelines project. It includes as designations, or local national, state, The statements. as mission and vision well on the Plan (IPP) builds Project Interpretive and research strategies, objectives, goals, planning document plans. Each of previous The types and purpose. has an intent of policies plans and associated interpretive Department Operations in the stated are Manual (DOM) section 0902.6. modern Californians to know, resources are the American Era enjoy, and understand the Russian buildings and associated materials. adventure in California. The visitor’s experience should center on his better The Zone of Primary Cultural Interest comprehension of the role of Russia in is the area of Fort Ross itself and the California’s exploration and settlement. village structures around the fort, as The interpretive objective is to present well as certain outlying locales. These Fort Ross’ role in Russian fur trade outlying locations include the workshop imperialism and its effect on the local area in the ravine to the east of the fort, situation in terms of the Indians and the Russian cemetery, the rock pattern Spanish/Mexicans, and ultimately, on area in the grove of trees west of the modern society. fort, the warehouse area east of the ravine, and the remains of the Russian The primary theme of Fort Ross Road. State Historic Park centers on Russian political and economic affairs during Although Fort Ross is an historical this era with special concern for unit of the State Park System, it has relationships with Spain and Mexico. tremendous natural and scenic value As background to this major theme, as well. In addition to the common consideration will be given to Russian species of plants and animals associated international affairs generally, with the north coastal prairie, coastal colonization, territorial expansion, sage scrub, redwood forest, and mixed economic and material growth, and the evergreen forest biotic communities, development of agriculture. Russian two rare and endangered plant species religious affairs and multi-ethnic (Chorizanthe valida and Dichondra relations will also be included. The donnelliana) are found here, and the secondary 38 themes will include the brown pelican, an endangered bird, may Indian history and the effect of El\ ropean contact on their development the winter. Many interesting geologic up to recent times and will include the befeatures seen flying can be along observed the coast in the during park, American Era, stressing the economic, including part of the San Andreas Fault agricultural, shipping, and ranching zone. The fault has drastically changed activities. the course of Fort Ross Creek and

The period of time covered will range trees along its course. These natural from the earliest known Pomo Indian modifiedresources the and growth the outstanding configurations views of history (several thousand years ago) of mountains, coast, and ocean will to recent times, but the prime period enhance the visitor’s experience at will be the time of Russian occupation the state historic unit; also, their (1812-1841), especially the last eleven preservation is essential to the primary years of the colony when it was at historical purpose of the unit inasmuch its height. Due consideration will be as the historical values are to be presented in their original, natural of history, particularly the American setting to the fullest extent possible givenranching to the activities. American Era in the flow (General Plan 1975, 38).

The primary cultural resources consist of the archeological remains of the Pomo Indians, the Russian people and Aleuts; and, the reconstructed buildings and walls. Secondary cultural

58 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PLANNING FRAMEWORK 59 planning documents, and primary planning documents, consulted that were materials source See below. listed this plan are for list of works a complete for References in this document.cited and Department of Parks Maps/ SHP, Ross Fort Recreation”. 2013. http://www. Brochures. parks.ca.gov/MediaGallery/?page_ (accessed June id=449&m=brochures 13, 2013). Manual. Policy Department Operations Division, Operations Manual, Park Sacramento: Parks, State California 09- 2010, 09-01 to of California, State 70. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_ id=449 (accessed June 7, 2013). Plan. Development Plan and General Planning Document, Planning Division, Sacramento: Parks, State California 1975. of California, State Interpretive Storyline. Center Visitor Services, Plan, Office of Interpretive and Department of Parks California of State Sacramento: Recreation, 1983, 211. California, and Interpretation Workbook, State California Division, Education of California, State Sacramento: Parks, 2013. Many recommendations and design recommendations Many center 2011 visitor the from concepts and considered were process planning this IPP. into incorporated Sources and 5.1.4 Primary Planning Interpretation Documents publications, Parks State California “California Parks. State California and Education, DOM 0900, Interpretation 2013. of California. State SHP. Ross Fort Management SHP: Resource Ross Fort Ross Planning Section. Fort Interpretation Planning Workbook. Interpretation To develop develop To 1 Expand the footprint of the museum to allow for broader coverage of the historic eras. Create an integrated reception area with the sales area. Its functionality would ensure a single volunteer could easily assist visitors and provide security in the building. Add a Russian-focused exhibit room for artifacts and donor recognition. Update the sales area to include modern sales techniques and equipment. Increase office space and storage Increase office space and storage and add a staff coat rack. Increase the size of the reference library. Add a private staff bathroom. Provide a Provide place to eat for visitors and enjoy a warm spot inside. Provide a catering kitchen to sell Provide a catering kitchen to sell refreshments, rent out the visitor center and the kitchen for events, and offer programming that includes and a kitchen for meal preparation serving. Update the museum infrastructure Update the museum infrastructure and to take advantage of technology new museum design.

• • • • • • • • • • concepts, architect Andrew James Ring James Andrew concepts, architect meetings with a series of III facilitated and the planning team the interpretive concept firm staff. The design architectural meet interpretive 21) aimed to (figure the confines of expanding goals within the than 35%. less building footprint existing the park’s inventoried The team goals: the following needs and developed Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 5.1.3 2011 Visitor Center Visitor 5.1.3 2011 Process Planning ideas explored CSP and the FRC In 2011, center. the visitor update to Khlebnikov, Kiril Timofeevich. The CSP Education Mission Statement5 Khlebnikov archive: unpublished The most powerful forms of education journal (1800-18370 and travel notes involve students in meaningful (1820, 1822, and 1824). Edited by Leonid Shur. Translated by John Bisk. experiences that promote critical thinking The University of Alaska Press, 1990. and appeal to different learning styles. Our mission is to provide educational National Association For Interpretation. opportunities both in CSP and in the “Standards, and Practices for classroom, assisting educators with Interpretive Planning”. National curriculum needs and offering activities Association of Interpretation. January that enable students to investigate, 2009. http://www.interpnet.com/ research, and participate in interactive nai/Resources/Standards_Practices/ learning. nai/_resources/Standards___Practices. aspx?hkey=24e8411c-bed5-43a6- a55f-ecc7251b000f (accessed June 13, Fort Ross Vision of Interpretation 2013). The vision for interpretation at Fort Ross SHP is to increase visitors’ knowledge Planning Division. “California State Park Statistical Report 2010/2011 Fiscal resources, expand their understanding of Year”. California State Parks. California andecological appreciation and cultural of the relationships, park’s significant and State Parks. 2011. http://www.parks. to inspire conservation and preservation ca.gov/?page_id=23308 (accessed of these precious resources. January 7, 2013).

Fort Ross Mission for Interpretation 5.2 Mission and Vision The mission of interpretation at Fort Ross Statements SHP is to provide visitors with enjoyable and high quality interpretive services, give CSP Mission3 them tools to make personal connections The mission of the California State to the site, and inspire their participation Parks is to provide for the health, in protecting and conserving these inspiration, and education of the people resources. of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, Visitor Center Mission protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating The center’s mission is to educate visitors opportunities for high-quality outdoor about the Russian-American Company’s recreation. experience on the Sonoma Coast and its long-lasting effect to the land and the culture of California. CSP Interpretation Mission Statement4 Interpretation is a special form of Visitor Center Mission of Interpretation communication that helps people understand, appreciate, and emotionally The mission of interpretation is to inform connect with the rich natural and cultural and engage visitors with innovative heritage preserved in parks. It is the exhibits and programs that inspire visitors mission of interpretation in CSP to convey to explore the park and learn more messages that initially will help visitors about the Russian-American Company’s value their experience, and that ultimately experience in California. will foster a conservation ethic and promote a dedicated park constituency.

60 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PLANNING FRAMEWORK 61 ve period of RAC occupation period of RAC ve ve American ve ast, trends and future present, P Nati Most acti Call family ranch SHP occupation family American Ross Call Fort

Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 1830-1842 1842-1873 1873-1908 1906-present Holocene Epoch to present Holocene Epoch to present to Pre-contact 5.4 Visitor Center 5.4 Visitor Periods Interpretive the park for The period of significance that of the Russian-American remains as occupation, 1812-1841, (RAC) Company Plan. in the General stated during the (created center SHP visitor Ross the Fort periods for Secondary interpretive planning process): interpretive 5.3 General Plan Plan 5.3 General Period Interpretive period is that interpretive The primary (1812-1841), occupation of the Russian The unit is named. the historic which for be the to believed 1841 are 1830 to years and influential of the Russian most active occupation. Endnotes 1. The FRC funded this project through a grant received from the Renova Fort Ross Foundation. 2. Fort Ross and the Rotchev House were listed on the Historic Landmark Program on 5/15/70. National Landmark Program report. 3. CSP 2013. 4. DOM section 0900.1.1 5. DOM section 0900.1.2

62 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan THEMES AND STORYLINES 63 American European contact Recent Indian history Transition period: Seitz, Fairfax and Dixon Agriculture Water transportation Call ranching activities, feeding the gold rush Colonization Territorial Expansion Growth Economic and Material Religious Affairs RAC Political and Russian Native Alaskan Native American Spanish Mexican

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Primary Theme Primary (RAC) Era Company 1. Russian-American 4. RAC Technology and Industry Technology 4. RAC Secondary Themes of the Ethnography 5. Indian History: Indians and Coast Miwok Pomo and Material Economics 6. American Era: Growth as a Ross Era—Fort Park 7. The State Park Historical Environment 8. The Natural 2. RAC Influence on California History Influence on California 2. RAC Relations 3. Multi-Ethnic CSP 080-11-4801.4 Lithograph of Fort Ross, c.1845 Ross, of Fort Lithograph Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Figure 22. Figure by Harry C. Peterson, by 6.1 General Plan 6.1 General Themes Interpretive summarized themes are The interpretive (SHP) Park’s Historic State Ross Fort from guides the Plan (GP), which 1975 General of interpretation development long-range written These themes were at the park. now ago and are than thirty years more topics. general considered and settled explored The Russians coast contemporary the North Pacific of Spanish and with the development This idea is not California. Mexican of discussed with the Hispanic Era widely History. California the primary Russian was Ross Fort in Alta California coastal development (figure of its operation and headquarters of outlying the operation 22). It oversaw at Bodega and the harbor farms Russian Bay. CHAPTER 6: THEMES 6: THEMES CHAPTER STORYLINES AND interpretive the presents This chapter as part developed and storylines themes the planning effort.of this They provide at Fort services interpretive for foundation SHP. Ross 6.2 Visitor Center continue today through the efforts Interpretive Themes of concerned citizens, volunteers, organizations, and governments. Interpretive themes for the visitor center were expanded through the interpretive • Fort Ross SHP is a spiritual and project planning process, and build upon cultural center that connects people the General Plan (1975) and Visitor Center to their homeland. Interpretive Plan (1985). See Appendix D for additional topics generated at stakeholder meetings. 6.3 Storylines Storylines were developed during the Park Unifying Theme visitor center interpretive project planning process. These stories can be used as a Fort Ross is a meeting place where the starting point for developing exhibits and ocean meets the land, and where people programs for the visitor center. have interacted, married, and traded over centuries. The place continues to awe, enlighten, and inspire visitors. 6.3.1 Natural History Natural history storylines will illustrate Park Primary Themes the dynamic and changing Fort Ross • The often-treacherous waters, coast, focusing on the interaction and fog-shrouded coastline, and rugged relationship between plants, animals, terrain produced by the San Andreas topography, climate, and geology. Coastal Fault create habitats that support geology, topography, the biotic zones, and diverse populations of plants and endemic plants and animal species will animals. be important topics for interpretation. Storylines will highlight some of the • many ways that coastal environment to people for thousands of years, has supported plants, animals, and providingThe Pacific food, Ocean transport, has been and a lifeline other human activity over time. They convey essential ingredients for life. the message that coastal biotic zones are a sanctuary for protected plants and • In an effort to expand its mercantile animals, but also a treasured resource for enterprises and gain a strategic people. Supporting storylines are shown foothold in the Americas, the as indented bullets. Russian-American Company established settlements in the • The rugged and mountainous topography of the Fort Ross southernmost, Colony Ross, in Alta coastline was formed through the California.North Pacific, including at their collision of two continental plates • The agricultural and industrial and millions of years of waves shaping the land around you. to sustain the Russian-American • Fort Ross SHP’s dramatic and varied Company’spursuits that larger were operational insufficient goals landscapes, from crashing waves in for Colony Ross in the long term coves, fog-shrouded coastal terraces, were more successful for the family to the sunny and steep wooded businesses that followed. hillsides provide the perfect habitat • Fort Ross SHP preservation efforts to support many native plants and began over a century ago and animals.

64 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan THEMES AND STORYLINES 65 Although the coastal terraces and dense green landscape at Fort Ross SHP appeared perfect for growing crops, the foggy and damp coastal climate made it very hard to grow the food Europeans were accustomed to eating. Not long ago, you could see sea otters playing in the kelp beds off Sandy Beach Cove and salmon swimming up Fort Ross Creek. Many of the plants and animals Many of the plants Ross SHP today you see at Fort over 200 were brought here other years ago and from continents. The apple you ate was a tree from planted long ago. The majestic redwood, oak, madrone, and other trees which hug the hillsides were used to construct Fortress Ross and the first ships built in California. » » » » » Protecting and restoring habitat for native plant and animal communities requires ongoing research and » European fur traders and companies hunted sea otters, fur seals, and other marine animals for their thick, soft fur. » Native plants thrive in the park, although their habitats are threatened by aggressive growth of invasive, non-native species. tribes, like the Coast Miwok, traveled the Coast Miwok, tribes, like and extensively, traded, the coast here. with the Kashia interacted Company The Russian-American Colony Ross here chose to locate resources and for its many natural crops along the potential for growing and hillsides. coastal terraces » » »

• • • • The Kashia Pomo are the people most closely associated with this coastal area. However, many other Coastal erosion caused by wind, Coastal erosion caused by wind, rising weather, human activities, and oceans dramatically changes the landscape; so much, that the land you see now may be very different for the next generation. Numerous plants and animals thrive Numerous plants and animals in complex and delicate ecosystems under the crashing waves and turbulent waters off the Fort Ross coast. Several state and federally protected Several state and species make their plant and animal SHP and you can home at Fort Ross and prosper here. help them survive There’s a whole lot of shaking going a whole lot of shaking There’s here. on around and animal Native plant to have adapted communities intertidal zone survive the harsh as changing tide environment such to wind and sun, levels, exposure and crashing waves.

• • • • • • Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 6.3.1a People’s Relationship with 6.3.1a People’s Relationship the Land lands Ross used the Fort have People and Europeans thousands of years. for Americans made the most dramatic the landscape and resources. changes to species, of exotic The introduction the timber harvesting, agriculture, today’s construction of buildings, and even ecosystems the delicate affect visitors Ocean. This and the Pacific within the park the relationship will demonstrate storyline and their people’s activities between in the resources impact on the natural humans have will discuss how It area. time and include the land over affected and preservation restoration recent efforts. restoration work by scientists, park and political concerns with their personnel, volunteers, and you. Spanish and Mexican neighbors. American and European ships 6.3.2 Cultural History often traded with Colony Ross,

Fort Ross SHP has a vibrant and rich international trade center. cultural history that spans thousands of making it a small, but significant years. Cultural history storylines relate to »» Many scientists, artists, and the many people who lived, worked, and explorers from Imperial Russia visited here. People and cultures include, conducted research and provided but are not limited to Kashia Pomo, the valuable insights about 19th Russian-American Company, employees century California that are highly and associated people, ranchers like the valued to this day. Benitz and Call families, and those who have worked to preserve Fort Ross as a • Colony Ross, and later ranches, California State Park. raised animals and produced agricultural products and industrial • Fort Ross represents the nexus of goods that were essential to people Russian, Spanish, and American living up and down the California frontiers in early 19th century coast. California. • Until automobiles motored up the »» RAC located its commercial coast in the early 1900s, the ocean enterprise on Spanish was the main lifeline that connected borderlands in Alta California, people living around Fort Ross to the outside world. its borders and take diplomatic measureswhich pushed to ensure Spain theto reaffirm Russian »» The RAC, the Call family ranch, empire should go no further. and others provided essential services to the local community »» The success of the RAC at Colony and became a lifeline to the Ross depended on the skills and outside world on this stretch of knowledge of employees and the rural Northern California indigenous people to carry out coast. its fur trading, agricultural, and industrial enterprises. »» Though the landscape is breathtaking and resources seem »» Kashia, Native Alaskan, and plentiful, people have always European colonists at Colony depended on each other to live Ross often intermarried and set on this remote stretch of rugged up homesteads outside the fort coast. walls, creating a diverse society with blended customs and • Ships and other watercraft were traditions. the main mode of transportation up and down the West Coast. However, »» Colony Ross operated as a shipwrecks off the Fort Ross coast small village whose inhabitants are testament to the dangers of produced most of the food, goods, maritime travel. and services they needed. • Not long after the RAC left California, »» The RAC did not limit their trade ranch managers and property

66 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan THEMES AND STORYLINES 67 Russian Orthodox communities Orthodox communities Russian and knowledge share their at Fort with visitors traditions Ross SHP. to protect Your help is needed many resources and interpret the at Fort Ross SHP. » » Many people from the Kashia and Since Fort Ross became a California State Park, archaeologists, scientists, and students have uncovered much information about the many people and cultures that have called this area home. Organizations like the Russian Orthodox Church and Fort Ross Conservancy have long collaborated with California State Parks in preserving, restoring, and interpreting the Fort Ross Story to the public. The Call family used and converted many of the original RAC buildings, some of which became a hotel, saloon, chapel, and school for the thriving Fort Ross community. The Call family, Russian Orthodox church, and concerned citizens worked to preserve the old of Russian fort which became one the first California State Parks. Kashia people continued to live continued Kashia people land after the and work on the Ross, though RAC left Colony of the new under the auspices American government. barns, and The ranch home, outside the fort’s other buildings to support large walls were built industries ranching and timber here. » » » » » » » » » » For over 100 years, California State Parks, scientists, researchers, organizations, and volunteers have worked to preserve and learn about Fort Ross’s rich history. » » » owners ran businesses and farms on ran businesses owners lands, and Colony Ross the former many local people. employed »

• Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 68 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 69 one or more objectives. Strategies are are Strategies objectives. one or more measurable. to needed specific steps the are Tasks can Task Each carry out the strategies. or project as a stand-alone be completed be funded in its entirety It may program. campaign, capital a designated a grant, by Some program. bond-funded or a state cost low at no or be completed may tasks and staff. of volunteers with the support be combined and accomplished may They on available in phases, depending capabilities in a staffing and funding also be completed may They fiscal year. as time and funding permit. individually in this section may Not all strategies should be All tasks tasks. associated have upon changed, and expanded reviewed, as funding and especially as necessary, priorities change. Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort CHAPTER 7: CHAPTER RECOMMENDATIONS to recommendations 7 presents Chapter services interpretive and expand enhance Recommendations center. visitor at the analysis of the from developed were past conditions, interpretive existing from collection data and planning efforts, planning and interpretive stakeholder objectives, as goals, meetings. Presented elements these and tasks, strategies, will guide map that road the provide interpretive of future development the section this to Refer and services. programs programs, interpretive developing when visitor the for services and other exhibits, center. Goals concepts that general broad, Goals are purpose, aim, describe the ultimate at the park. of interpretation or intent goals support California Interpretive mission and FRSHP’s (CSP) Park’s State for direction and vision and provide projects. interpretive the visitor identified six goals for The team (1) making the These include: center. welcoming more building and exhibits orientation and accessible; (2) improving interpretive and promoting the park to interpretive services; (3) expanding (4) serving as a community content stewardship park (5) increase resource; services; and and support of interpretive and physical make (6) inspiring people to emotional connections. Each goal has that describe their intent. introductions Objectives, Strategies, and Tasks the realistic provide Objectives details about how and measurable interpretive will achieve interpretation describe the result goals. The objectives will have services or elements interpretive and staff. Strategies volunteers, on visitors, accomplish used to approaches the are Goal 1: Welcome and Accessible

welcoming place that serves visitors’ Theimmediate visitor needs,center provides(figure 23) information will be a to a diverse audience in a variety of ways, encourages exploration and preservation of resources, and inspires repeat visitation.

Intent The visitor center will be the main location for people to get park information and the many things they can do there. It will provide engaging exhibits and programs that give an overview of the park’s cultural and natural resources. Information will be Figure 23. Ft. Ross visitor center, CSP 090- given in different languages and formats p56217 to encourage people to ask questions and explore the park. In addition, people will have a place to relax and enjoy refreshments.

Objective 1.1. Provide amenities that meet visitors’ immediate needs and encourage them to stay, or return at another time to explore the visitor center and park. Strategy 1.1.1: even when the visitor center is closed. VisitorsTask 1.1.1.a will easilyDevelop find promotional information and about interpretive the park and materials the region, that can be placed in the restrooms and at the entrance of the visitor center. Task 1.1.1.b Develop promotional materials to display in various locations in the park. Task 1.1.1.a Provide brochures, maps, and other park information at the sales area and prominent locations in the visitor center. Task 1.1.1.b Provide an information kiosk, bulletin board, or equivalent media, outside the visitor center and post updated park orientation, visitor center and fort hours, park regulatory information, events calendar, and park brochures there. Task 1.1.1.c Regularly update park hours, regulatory information, and events calendar on the park website, state approved social media sites, and the FRC website. Task 1.1.1.d Collaborate with FRC, partners, regional chambers of commerce, and visitor bureaus to provide updated park information on their websites and business locations.

70 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 71 1 Develop attractive, multisensory displays that are visible that are multisensory displays attractive, Develop and entrance. the sales area from the park’s to that relate exhibits Host traveling themes and periods. interpretive and center the visitor for changing exhibits Develop visitation. repeat encourage to them regularly rotate cases and regulated and environmentally secure Provide museum display to center location within the visitor changing exhibits. objects for and organizations, with local artists, cultural Collaborate based on Fort changing exhibits develop museums to themes. SHP interpretive Ross SHP Ross Fort to that relate Host changing exhibits themes and periods. interpretive the best to and/or themes are topics which Determine or program. in a changing exhibit present Offer refreshments for sale that reflect the cultures and the cultures sale that reflect for refreshments Offer Spanish, (e.g. Russian, at the park periods interpreted and drink). Kashia, and American foods On a regular basis, provide visitor center staff with center visitor provide basis, On a regular and training skills interpretation service and customer information. and regulatory park updated outside the visitor space inside and a dedicated Provide that does not interrupt seating with comfortable center and events. programs park open during that are clean bathrooms Provide is closed. center visitor the hours and when consume sale and a location to for refreshments Provide the museum with or affect them that do not interfere collections. Task 1.1.4.c Task 1.1.5.c Task Task 1.1.3.c Task Task 1.1.4.a Task 1.1.5.a Task Task 1.1.1.a Task 1.1.3.a Task Provide a dedicated space for changing exhibits with provocative with provocative changing exhibits space for a dedicated Provide that engage and programs activities, accessible exhibits, Develop Develop exhibits, displays, media, and promotional materials that materials media, and promotional displays, exhibits, Develop Friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteers will be available to to will be available and volunteers staff knowledgeable and Friendly Task 1.1.4.b Task 1.1.5.b Task Task 1.1.3.b Task Task 1.1.5.d Task Task 1.1.3.d Task Day visitors, families, and groups will have access to a welcoming and a welcoming access to will have and groups families, visitors, Day Provide an immersive and inviting interpretive experience for visitors visitors for experience interpretive and inviting an immersive Provide Strategy 1.1.5: Strategy investigate. to return them to and encourage interest that pique visitors’ topics 1.2.1: Strategy abilities. of learning and physical with a variety visitors Strategy 1.1.4: Strategy and park. center the visitor explore them to and encourage attention visitors’ attract Strategy 1.1.3: Strategy Strategy 1.1.2: Strategy sale, for refreshments their experience, upon and reflect relax space to comfortable and clean restrooms. answer visitors’ questions and provide information about the park and region. the park about information and provide questions visitors’ answer Objective 1.2. Objective and abilities. of all ages, backgrounds, Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Task 1.2.1.a Consult with special education teachers and education consultants when developing exhibits and programs. Strategy 1.2.2: International visitors and those who do not speak English will understand exhibit content and information in the visitor center. Task: 1.2.2.a Develop exhibits and interpretive materials in multiple languages. Task 1.2.2.b Provide a visitor center and park brochure in multiple languages. Task 1.2.2.c Develop an audio tour of the visitor center and exhibits in multiple languages. Task 1.2.2.d Give interpretive and educational programs in at least one other language. Task 1.2.2.e Offer closed captioning in multiple languages for audio programs. Task 1.2.2.f Have bilingual staff or volunteers available to assist international travelers with interpretation and park information. Strategy 1.2.3: Self-guided interpretation, exhibits, and other hands-on and interactive tools will be designed to be intuitive, easy to use and navigate. Task 1.2.3.a Develop a survey or questionnaire for visitors, teachers, and other user groups to determine how people would like to receive information and interact with exhibits. Task 1.2.3.b Conduct front-end and formative evaluations when developing interpretive tools and materials. Conduct periodic evaluations to determine effectiveness. Strategy 1.2.4: Develop engaging hands-on experiences that encourage visitors to participate through exploration. Task 1.2.4.a Use reproduction, period-appropriate, and easily replaceable objects for hands-on exhibits, programs, and activities. Task 1.2.4.b Offer interpretive programs that involve audience participation. Task 1.2.4.c Develop interpretive kits, kiosks, or stations that get people involved by trying a new skill craft, language, etc. Objective 1.3. Visitor will provide positive feedback and indicate that they felt that exhibits are not biased in favor of one cultural group, event, or activity. Strategy 1.3.1: Exhibits will be balanced, non-judgmental, and non-defensive regarding cultural groups and events that occurred at Fort Ross. Task 1.3.1.a Consult and collaborate with (group, tribe, organization, experts) when developing interpretive programs and exhibits regarding their culture. Strategy 1.3.2: Encourage visitors to leave comments and provide them with easy ways for them to do so (e.g. comment book or link to online feedback).

72 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 73 Encourage visitors to complete visitor satisfaction satisfaction visitor complete to visitors Encourage surveys. center. in the visitor box a comment/suggestion Provide visitors numbers for email and phone a link to Provide the and suggestions. Place contact with comments to and the FRC website location on the CSP link in a visible media sites. and social newsletters, websites, the a link to and provide an online survey Develop newsletters, websites, and the FRC on the CSP survey sites. and social media each at the close of feedback provide visitors Encourage events. and special program interpretive manner. comments in a timely to Respond outside the bulletin board an information Provide campground. and at the Reef center visitor and social newsletters, on websites, information Provide media sites. Task 1.3.2.f Task Task 1.3.2.c Task Task 1.3.2.e Task Task 1.3.2.a Task Task 1.3.2.g Task Task 1.3.2.b Task Task 1.3.2.h Task Task 1.3.2.d Task Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Goal 2: Promote and Orient The visitor center will orient visitors

resources and the park’s recreational and and promote Fort Ross’s significant

Intentinterpretive opportunities (figure 24). The visitor center will provide visitors with trip planning information and help them easily locate the park’s services, facilities, and amenities. It will highlight Fort Ross SHP’s interpretive and recreational opportunities, and provide accurate and updated park hours and schedules. Figure 24. Environmental Living Program, CSP 090-S14211

Objective 2.1. trip planning information, hours of operation, and an events calendar. Strategy 2.1.1:Visitors Ensure will updated identify park places information and sources is available to find updatedonline and and placed accurate in visible locations around the park and visitor center. Task 2.1.1.a Provide clear, updated information about Fort Ross SHP, its interpretive services, and recreational opportunities online and in the visitor center. Task 2.1.1.b Develop an information kiosk or display that includes park orientation, hours of operation, programs, special events, and recreational opportunities. Locate the kiosk or display near the visitor center entrance and at key gathering areas in the park. Task 2.1.1.c Conduct a visitor survey and research how people get their information about the park. Strategy 2.1.2: Collaborate with partners to provide links about Fort Ross SHP on their websites. Ensure park brochures, event calendars, and other printed information on display is updated and accurate. Task 2.1.2.a Provide clear, updated information about Fort Ross SHP, its interpretive services, and recreational opportunities to interpretive partners, interpretive providers, social media sites, and tourism boards. Task 2.1.2.b Collaborate with partners and interpretive providers to promote each other's interpretive services and offerings. Strategy 2.1.3: Promote Fort Ross SHP’s interpretive and recreational opportunities. Task 2.1.3.a Ensure there is ample staff or volunteers scheduled to work when visitor attendance is high.

74 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 75 Highlight Fort Ross SHP’s interpretive and recreational and recreational SHP’s interpretive Ross Fort Highlight media and travel social approved on CSP opportunities ensure to information online. Update sites planning accuracy. and center at the visitor interpretation roving Increase visitors. to information offer to in the park is clear center the visitor signage to directional Ensure lot. the parking see from to and easy during is staffed and sales area the information Ensure hours. center visitor maps, and online trip park on brochures, Indicate point of is the main center planning that the visitor visitors. contact for staff and park a handbook for or update Develop orientation information, that includes park volunteers and recreational interpretive calendar, events a Keep information. opportunities, local and regional access. easy for of this handbook at the sales area copy staff and volunteers with park trainings Hold regular customer and information park that includes updated service training. staff the visitor who staff and volunteers park Evaluate provide needed to the tools have they ensure to center service. and good customer information accurate that can be kiosk or display an information Develop center. placed inside and outside the visitor and interpretive about the park’s Include information and programs opportunities at interpretive recreational special events. Provide staff and volunteers with regular training and tools to to and tools training with regular staff and volunteers Provide Task 2.1.3.c Task 2.2.1.c Task 2.2.2.c Task Task 2.2.1.a Task 2.2.2.a Task 2.3.1.a Task 2.3.2.a Task Fort Ross SHP will designate the visitor center as the main point of as the main center the visitor will designate SHP Ross Fort at offerings and recreational SHP’s interpretive Ross Fort Promote Task 2.1.3.b Task 2.2.1.b Task 2.2.2.b Task Ensure that park information, events calendars, and hours of events information, that park Ensure opportunities and recreational SHP’s interpretive Ross Fort Promote Visitor will identify the visitor center as the main place to find as the main place to center visitor will identify the Visitor major interpretive, describe the park’s will be able to Visitors Strategy 2.2.1: Strategy information. seeking visitors contact for 2.2.2: Strategy: service. good customer provide 2.3.1: Strategy 2.3.2: Strategy 2.3.3: Strategy venues. units and at regional other CSP operation are easy to read, are updated frequently, and are placed in highly visible placed in highly and are frequently, updated are read, to easy are operation center. locations insideand outside the visitor within the park. Objective 2.2. 2.2. Objective at the park. while information 2.3. Objective opportunities, and special events. recreational Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Task 2.3.3.a Set up information tables at regional special events, county and state fairs. Task 2.3.3.b Display Fort Ross SHP park brochures at other CSP units. Collaborate with other CSP units to promote each other’s parks and opportunities. Strategy 2.3.4: regulations and conditions, and other park information. ProvideTask 2.3.4.a clearRegularly and updated review trail, and seasonal update fishing information and diving on the CSP website and approved social media sites. Task 2.3.4.b Collaborate with California Fish and Wildlife Department, Salt Point State Park, and other local recreational venues to provide accurate information about seasonal diving regulations and conditions at Fort Ross SHP. Objective 2.4. Visitors will identify the location of park amenities, recreational, and interpretive opportunities once they leave the visitor center. Strategy 2.4.1: Place park orientation maps in highly visible locations inside and outside the visitor center. Task 2.4.1.a Ensure that park information, event calendars, and hours of operation are easy to read, updated frequently, and placed in highly visible locations inside and outside the visitor center. Objective 2.5. Visitors will be able to purchase mementos, keepsakes and other interpretive and educational items to remind them of their visit and promote visitation to the park. Strategy 2.5.1: Offer items for sale in the visitor center and online that relate to the park’s interpretive themes and periods, exhibits, and special events. Task 2.5.1.a Identify appropriate items for sale in the visitor center. Task 2.5.1.b Develop a program to sell artwork and handcrafted goods made by local Kashia and Russian artists. Task 2.5.1.c Sell items that relate to the park’s special events and interpretive programs. Task 2.5.1.d Collaborate with local artisans and food producers to sell items with a special Fort Ross label and connection to the site. (e.g., sell food and other products produced historically at Fort Ross).

76 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 77 Paul C. Paul Kashia dancer, ©2012 Kashia dancer, Miller, FRC Miller, Figure 25. Figure Illustrate each group’s relationship and connection to the land and and connection to relationship each group’s Illustrate interpreting Use art, and other elements when music, artifacts, the landscape changes to indicate maps to and layered Use interactive Ensure stories carry from the past to the present in exhibits and in exhibits the present the past to carry from stories Ensure to compare to art and drawings and contemporary Use historic the changes to contrast to present to the RAC data from Use naturalist think and discuss this topic. to visitors encourage Use questions to Be inclusive and interpret the many people who have lived and used lived have people who the many and interpret Be inclusive Visitors will discuss two ways humans used and changed the landscape ways will discuss two Visitors Visitors will identify Fort Ross’s key individuals and groups. and groups. individuals key Ross’s will identify Fort Visitors interpretive programs. interpretive 3.1.4: Strategy the landscape. changes to contrast 3.2.2: Strategy landscape. 3.2.3: Strategy 3.2.4: Strategy the park. 3.1.3: Strategy groups. cultural 3.2.1: Strategy time. over Strategy 3.1.1: Strategy Alaskan, Kashia, Native to not limited These include, but are Ross. the land at Fort Ranch individuals, and related (RAC) Company the Russian-American Creole, and CSP. Families, 3.1.2: Strategy Objective 3.2. Objective over time. over Objective 3.1. Objective Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Goal 3: Understanding the the 3: Understanding Goal Story Fort Ross significant the park’s know will Visitors and resources and cultural natural with interacted humans understand how time (figure over resources and used these 25). Intent an will provide center The visitor significant Ross’s of Fort overview and geological resources. plants, animals, the inter- will illustrate Interpretation people, the between relationships environment. landscape, and the natural will describe the center The visitor people used the landscape -- how cultural time. over land and its resources be to expected are Goal 3 tasks Note: during the design development developed exhibits. center the visitor phase for Strategy 3.2.5: changes to the landscape over time (e.g. pictures of ranching activities and logging, use scale models,Use oral historic histories images, from first Call person family stories, members and and objects CSP staff).to describe Objective 3.3. related individuals, the Call Family, and CSP have made to the community and beyond. Strategy 3.3.1:Visitors Use primary will describe source significantmaterials, journals,contributions illustrations, the Kashia, and the oral RAC and histories to interpret past events, people, and cultural groups at Fort Ross. Strategy 3.3.2: describing contemporary stories. Strategy 3.3.3: Use art,first-person music, artifacts, accounts, and documentation, other elements and when media interpreting when cultural groups. Objective 3.4. organisms and how humans have utilized them over time. Strategy 3.4.1:Visitors Identify will Fort identify Ross SHP’s at least key three marine significant and terrestrial marine plantsand terrestrial and animals. Strategy 3.4.2: Use hands-on activities and objects to interpret marine and terrestrial plants and animals. Strategy 3.4.3: Interpret the importance of plants and animals to the Kashia, RAC, and other people at Fort Ross. Strategy 3.4.4: Use key or iconic species to illustrate how plant and animal health and populations have changed over time (e.g. sea otter, salmon, redwood and oak trees, and other sensitive threatened or endangered species). Strategy 3.4.5: Interpret how non-native species were introduced to Fort Ross SHP. Interpret the effects to the environment, native species, and to resource management efforts (e.g. effects of introduced pigs, rats, grasses and other plants raised as crops). Objective 3.5. Visitors will describe the major geologic processes that have shaped the Fort Ross Coast. Strategy 3.5.1: Identify major geologic processes that have shaped this part of the coast (e.g. San Andreas Fault, wave action, winds, and so on). Strategy 3.5.2: Use hands-on activities and interactive exhibit elements to describe how wind, the ocean, earthquakes, and other processes shaped the landscape. Strategy 3.5.3: interpret effects of earthquakes at Fort Ross. Use historic images, topographic maps, and first-person accounts to

78 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 79 Fort Ross SHP brochure, ©CSP ©CSP brochure, SHP Ross Fort Figure 26. Figure 2006 Advertise the visitor center’s amenities online, at local center’s the visitor Advertise schools, and organizations. chambers of commerce, center the visitor Identify locations in and around Set up a reservation types of gatherings. different for use. the community to schedule for during hours of community groups access to Provide is open and staffed. center the visitor when operation as a location to center the use of the visitor Promote host events. Task 4.1.1.a Task 4.1.2.a Task 4.1.3.a Task Make every effort to provide meeting space at no cost to community cost to meeting space at no provide to effort every Make and other gatherings, host community events, a location to Provide Promote the visitor center’s multi-purpose space and amenities to the amenities to multi-purpose space and center’s the visitor Promote Task 4.1.3.b Task Strategy 4.1.2: 4.1.2: Strategy groups. 4.1.3: Strategy activities. Strategy 4.1.1: Strategy community. Community groups will use the multi-purpose room for meetings, for room will use the multi-purpose 4.1. Community groups Objective and other activities. special events, programs, Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Goal 4: Community 4: Community Goal and Visitor Resource Outreach as a resource will serve center The visitor and community, Ross the Fort for those who for will be developed programs 26). (figure park cannot visit the Intent has long center visitor Ross The Fort time, locals. Over for been a resource an important has become the park and educators, researchers to resource and the International groups, cultural Ross This goal defines the Fort community. wish to include those who community to feel as those who as well utilize the park, the land and the park’s a connection to includes, but is The community history. Kashia, educational groups, to not limited and other cultural Alaskan, Native Russian, and recreational service groups, groups, expand to users. This goal also works the access to the community and provide visitors services for interpretive park’s cannot visit.who Strategy 4.1.4: Collaborate with community organizations to host programs relating to regional natural and cultural history (e.g. history of wine and cheese making on the Sonoma Coast, contemporary Kashia, and Russian art). Task 4.1.4.a Determine the types of local and regional events that could be hosted at Fort Ross SHP. Task 4.1.4.b Reach out to cultural organizations to help organize cultural events at the Fort Ross SHP that relate to the park’s interpretive themes and periods. Objective 4.2. Visitors, community groups, researchers, and schoolchildren outside the Bay Area will access interpretive resources and programs offered by the visitor center and park. Strategy 4.2.1: Expand interpretive services to include programs, kits, media, online programs, and other methods that are easily accessible to the educational community and other groups. Task 4.2.1.a Develop interpretive kits containing a self-guided program and resources that can be checked out by educators or groups. Task 4.2.1.b Develop interpretive kits that can be taken to schools or organizations to be presented by a park representative. Task 4.2.1.c Develop traveling exhibits that can be displayed at locations within Sonoma County and in the greater Bay Area. Strategy 4.2.2: Develop a virtual classroom for interpretive programs where visitors from around the world participate in discussions. Task 4.2.1.a Develop a P.O.R.T.S. program that connects the Fort Ross SHP visitor center and its resources to schools who cannot visit the park.2 Task 4.2.1.b Develop programs that can be delivered online or via teleconferencing that connect the Fort Ross SHP visitor center and its resources to local community and international groups. Strategy 4.2.3: Develop a relationship with schools in Russia or Alaska to share resources and programs. Task 4.2.3.a Consult with the Russian Consulate and Russian cultural organizations to explore a “sister school” relationship. Strategy 4.2.4: Provide online access to Fort Ross SHP research, historical documentation, images, and video. Strategy 4.2.5: Explore ways to develop virtual tours and online programs. Task 4.2.5.a and museums to determine effective media and Consultplatforms with to developdesign firms, virtual educational tours and programs.organizations, Task 4.2.5.a Develop content for online programs and virtual tours. Objective 4.3. Increase the number of educational institutions and students from Sonoma County and the region who use the visitor center.

80 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 81 Consult with teachers when developing interpretive interpretive developing when with teachers Consult meets current the content ensure to programs standards. when Sonoma County education office Consult with the content. program developing and curriculum or printed downloadable Develop K-12 for standards academic California tied to content graders. college and graduate for programs interpretive Develop students. level and physical school and college history with high Work internship develop departments to anthropology credit. SHP for Ross opportunities at Fort and physical school and college history with high Work use Fort to ways explore departments to anthropology SHP as a classroom. Ross Task 4.3.1.c Task Task 4.3.1.a Task 4.3.2.a Task 4.3.3.a Task Provide internship and study opportunities for students from local students from opportunities for and study internship Provide and hold classes schools and colleges to high a location for Provide Task 4.3.1.b Task Task 4.3.1.d Task Exhibits and programming will address key California State Science Science State California key will address and programming Exhibits Strategy 4.3.2: Strategy the for and exhibits programs interpretive develop to colleges and universities Ross. based on their studies of Fort center visitor 4.3.3: Strategy opportunities. internship and offer programs Strategy 4.3.1: Strategy standards. content Science academic and Social Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Goal 5: Inspire Stewardship and Protect Resources Local community members and organizations will take an active role in park stewardship and support interpretive

Intentservices (figure 27). Interpretation is an excellent way to inform visitors about the park’s resource Figure 27. School program at the old management issues. Environmental Russian orchard, CSP 090-P77306 education programs, park service programs and clean-up events, and historic preservation programs are ways interpretation can be used to educate the public about cultural and natural resource protection. It can also be used as a tool to change visitors’ behavior in the park. The visitor center is a good place to present information about these issues and is a staging and training location for these programs.

Objective 5.1. services. Strategy 5.1.1:Increase Provide community easy ways for financial visitors support to donate of interpretive to park preservation programs and and interpretive programs. Task 5.1.1.a Make sure the FRC donation box is clearly visible and in multiple locations. Task 5.1.1.b Develop special fee-based interpretive programs as a way to raise money. Task 5.1.1.c Make it easy for people to donate to interpretive programs online. Task 5.1.1.d Seek out businesses and organizations whose mission is similar to Fort Ross SHP. Encourage them to support interpretive services and special events as a way to promote their business while supporting the park. Objective 5.2. Increase the number of volunteers to support interpretive services at the visitor center. Strategy 5.2.1: Recruit and train volunteers to lead interpretive programs from the visitor center. Task 5.2.1.a Seek out businesses and organizations whose mission, interpretive periods, and themes are similar to Fort Ross SHP. Collaborate to share resources, training, and volunteer opportunities.

82 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 83 Increase the number of historic and environmental environmental and of historic the number Increase volunteers. for trainings conservation and content opportunities of training a variety Offer volunteers. new recruit to as a way the year throughout and regional SHP Ross at Fort volunteerism Promote at the Sonoma County (e.g. set up a booth special events the volunteer promote to Festival Ross and the Fort Fair program). and historic restoration about park information Provide website. and the CSP on social media sites programs images and results. and after before Show and about conservation information interpretive Provide center. in the visitor programs restoration resource about the park’s Include information programs. at interpretive efforts protection people where center at the visitor Hold service projects a resource, preserve to professionals with park work outside the plant garden on the native such as working center. visitor in resource Get the local community involved opportunities) at the (volunteer projects preservation center. in the visitor and hold programs park with park materials and safety regulatory Post locations in and in prominent orientation information center. the visitor around and graphic in written should be presented Regulations of visitors by understood easily are so that they formats abilities. differing messaging protection and resource safety Include trail center. the visitor from leading walks when visitor messages throughout protection resource Repeat exhibits. center Provide timely information to the public about the park habitat and park the public about the to information timely Provide and learn about participate to visitors opportunities for Provide Task 5.2.1.c Task 5.3.1.c Task 5.5.1.c Task Task 5.3.1.a Task 5.3.2.a Task 5.5.1.a Task Task 5.2.1.b Task 5.3.1.b Task 5.3.2.b Task 5.5.1.b Task Task 5.2.1.d Task 5.5.1.d Task Ensure regulatory and safety information is easily accessible to the accessible to is easily information and safety regulatory Ensure Visitors will know about and support the park’s resource protection protection resource and support the park’s about will know Visitors rules and regulations follow it is important to will discuss why People Strategy 5.3.1: Strategy programs. preservation historic 5.3.2: Strategy at the park. protection resource 5.5.1: Strategy public. Objective 5.3. 5.3. Objective programs. 5.5. Objective resources. the park’s affect and negatively positively their behaviors and how Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Strategy 5.5.2: Regulations should be presented in a positive, authoritative, consistent, and respectful tone. The rationale behind regulations should be adequately described for the visitor. Task 5.5.2.a: Ensure park staff and volunteers clearly understand park regulations and have access to updated information for visitors. For example, park staff and volunteers should be up to date on abalone diving regulations at Fort Ross and Salt Point to address visitor questions. Objective 5.6. People will support resource protection programs at Fort Ross SHP. Strategy 5.6.1: Get the local community involved in resource preservation projects at the park. Task 5.6.1.a Hold historic preservation and resource protection programs in the visitor center. Task 5.6.1.b Stage park service programs at the visitor center. Task 5.6.1.c Advertise these programs at the visitor center. Objective 5.7. Increase the number of interpretive programs available at the visitor center using partnerships. Strategy 5.7.1: Seek out regional interpretive providers and organizations whose

Task 5.7.1.a Collaborate with these organizations to develop programs fit with the park’sinterpretive interpretive content, periods shareand themes. resources, and give programs. Task 5.7.1.b Seek grants and funding opportunities from partner organizations to develop interpretive programs for the visitor center.

84 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 85 CSP 090-5137 Main exhibit hall, Main exhibit Figure 28. Figure Consult with subject matter experts and cultural groups groups cultural and experts Consult with subject matter and submit to material, interpretive developing when comprehensibility. for review non-specialists to on an annual basis to and content programs Review methods. and presentation continued relevancy ensure new include to content and interpretive exhibits Update and ensure learning styles, accommodate information, visitors. to is relevant content theses, and research, current to links Provide that complement the programs that offer organizations goals and themes. interpretive park’s carry through themes in the exhibits interpretive Ensure in the park. and programs other exhibits to Task 6.1.1.c Task Task 6.1.1.e Task Task 6.1.1.a Task Offer items for sale in the visitor center and online that relate to the to and online that relate center sale in the visitor for items Offer Information will be well researched and presented in a clear and and presented researched will be well Information Task 6.1.1.b Task Task 6.1.1.d Task Visitors can purchase items in the sales area that expand their that expand in the sales area items can purchase Visitors Visitors and community members will regard the visitor center as a center the visitor regard and community members will Visitors Strategy 6.2.1: 6.2.1: Strategy and special events. exhibits, themes and periods, interpretive park’s Strategy 6.1.1: Strategy manner. comprehensible Objective 6.2. Objective Ross. an association with Fort and inspire of the subject matter knowledge place where they can learn all about Fort Ross’s history and its resources. history Ross’s can learn all about Fort they place where Objective 6.1. Objective Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Goal 6: Making Connections Connections 6: Making Goal 28) (figure interpretation center Visitor and physical make to visitors will inspire SHP. Ross Fort to emotional connections Intent goals of interpretation One of the primary personal make people to encourage is to and its many the park connections to This goal ensures and stories. resources nonbiased, is accurate, that information and accessible so that people inclusive, about the decisions informed can make exhibits center Visitor subject matter. information will present and programs and methods and of formats in a variety learning many accessible to content make and interpretive Changing exhibits styles. subjects to many will cover programs and Attractive pique people’s interests. of visitors will inform exhibits engaging messages and ideas. key Task 6.2.1.a Offer a variety of items for sale in the visitor center that target age groups, recreational activities, multiple languages, and price ranges. Task 6.2.1.b Develop interpretive and educational kits for sale that relate to programs and special events. Task 6.2.1.c Develop exclusive books, materials, or media for sale that relate to changing exhibits at the visitor center. Objective 6.3. Visitors, scholars, and students will regard the visitor center as a place to conduct research and learn about their connection to past events and people. Strategy 6.3.1: Provide access to research, historic documentation, and genealogy information. Task 6.3.1.a Promote the research library on the CSP and the FRC websites, to academic institutions, and professional organizations. Task 6.3.1.b Develop a database of people who lived and worked at Fort Ross from 1812 to 1906. Provide a computer kiosk in the visitor center or online information that visitors can access. Task 6.3.1.c Promote Fort Ross SHP as an outdoor classroom for (CSP-approved) archaeological study. Task 6.3.1.d Provide links to relevant research materials on the CSP and the FRC websites. Task 6.3.1.e Provide access to non-sensitive archaeological research conducted at Fort Ross SHP.

86 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan RECOMMENDATIONS 87 the Department must make a “good a “good must make the Department sell a concession have to effort” faith association a cooperating before food information, more For can sell food. Department see the “California 513 PRC and Recreation of Parks http:// Guidelines”, Implementation www.parks.ca.gov/pages/735/ files/513%20implementation%20 guidelines%209-10-09.pdf. distance- is a free Students (PORTS) that uses the power learning program 12 High-Speed K to of California’s (HSN) and the educational Networks to video conferencing of live potential academic content help schools teach of California in the context standards visit information, more For Parks. State or http://www.ports.parks.ca.gov/, manager. program contact the PORTS Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Endnotes center, at the visitor be sold is to 1. If food and Teachers for Online Resource 2. Parks 88 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PROPOSED VISITOR EXPERIENCE 89 Day Use parking lot Use parking Day 8.2 Site Approach sign greets park A new (2012) large If driving, the park. enter as they visitors the Day pay at a kiosk to stop visitors kiosk is not The entrance Use fee. park Limited during weekdays. staffed on the kiosk. There is posted information in the Day on most days is ample parking access the 29). Visitors Use lot (figure lot and Use parking the Day from center the Reef leading from connecting trails Campground. hotels such as the Fort Ross Lodge and Ross the Fort such as hotels Fort to Inn (a partner Cove the Timber tourist nearby SHP), and other Ross destinations. in participate currently School groups and Programs Living the Environmental Programs. Day Living Environmental programs and overnight These day The team at the park. held mostly are in the visitor exhibits that new anticipates additional school will accommodate center activities. and youth-geared programs exhibits, new should market The park curriculum and corresponding programs, and other youth local schools, libraries, to using that should benefit from programs center. the visitor Figure 29. Figure Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort It is anticipated that the majority of that the majority of It is anticipated the greater will be from visitors park region. Bay and San Francisco Sacramento interpretive of park marketing Increased and these regions to services and events more should help draw demographics has seen In addition, the park visitors. and Ukrainian- in Russian an increase SHP Ross Fort American visitors. interpretive having should benefit from in and trip planning information materials additional languages, such as Russian. on the access information visitors Many thus it is and social media sites, internet Making an important part of trip planning. is on the internet that information sure help to is an important step up-to-date center. the visitor plan a trip to visitors expanded should benefit from Visitors online, and trip planning information and bureaus at visitor posted information venues. tourist find be able to should easily Visitors hours, the type center out the visitor can they and/or activities of exhibits accessibility issues or expect, and any hours and center opportunities. Visitor services should be posted interpretive on on the door or outside bulletin board, and the (CSP) Parks State the California websites, (FRC) Conservancy Ross Fort This and county parks. and at local state with local should be shared information 8.1 Visit Planning CHAPTER 8: PROPOSED 8: PROPOSED CHAPTER EXPERIENCE VISITOR of the a narrative presents This chapter Fort the for experience visitor desired (SHP) visitor Park Historic State Ross of these many how It shows center. exhibits, through ideas will be achieved services. and visitor programs, interpretive help to presented is This information program and interpretive guide exhibit development. Stakeholders, CSP, and FRC staff commented that Monterey cypress trees obscure the visitor center building

suggested to thin the cypress trees around fromthe visitor the parking center lotto improve(figure 30). the Itbuilding’s was visibility.

Figure 31. Little-noticed picnic area adjacent to the multi-purpose room.

bulletin board should be placed outside the visitor center. Panels should interpret the key themes and any critical park Figure 30. Overgrown cypress trees orientation. The bulletin board should obscure the building. alert visitors to safety and/or resource protection information. 8.3 Outdoor Experience The visitor center is located adjacent to 8.4 Indoor Experience the Day Use parking lot. Visitors follow a paved path from the parking lot to a The entrance should be welcoming and covered walkway that connects to the encourage visitors to come in and explore. main entrance. A container garden with It should be designed so that people can native plants lines the walkway to the move around the space freely and not main entrance. In the future, additional have to follow a route of travel for the landscaping in the green area and around interpretive experience to make sense. the center should provide an opportunity to interpret native plants, those grown by Fort Ross colonists and later, ranching 8.4.1 Entrance families. Visitors enter through glass doors into an entry vestibule. To the left are the public To the left of the walkway entrance is a restrooms, and to the right is a sliding visitor contact window that looks into the provides an overview of the park’s history, low-profileaccessible trails, orientation and amenities, panel. The the panel fort in a locking glass case next to the window. and Call ranch complex, and recreational FRCThe entryoffice. vestibule A park map is locked is hung when on the the wall areas. center is closed. This contact window is an important element as long as there is staff When the visitor center is closed, people present during regular business hours to will still be able to walk around it and answer questions. receive interpretation about the park. There is space for interpretive panels in The vestibule is another location front of the building, on the side deck, and to consider placing an information bulletin board and park orientation if its inAn the attractive, adjacent durable, picnic area and (figureeasily updated 31). Exhibits and unrelated material currently placement does not hinder visitor flow.

90 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PROPOSED VISITOR EXPERIENCE 91 The sales area covers older covers The sales area Connect historic events to current events and people. Interpret the diverse groups of people who lived and worked the land (that is now Fort Ross SHP),

• • exhibits in the entrance hall. in the entrance exhibits Figure 33. Figure 8.4.3 Exhibits multiple should have centers Visitor hands-on engagement. opportunities for can children These include places where adults peruse exhibits while explore safely them. that interest and learn about topics and other media should convey Graphics and recreational historic the park’s if people do not opportunities. Even will still they center, the visitor explore can they an understanding of what have see and do at the park. should be organized Exhibit subject matter primary and secondary the park’s around will themes. Exhibit storylines interpretive to: be expanded Over the years, the sales area outgrew outgrew the sales area the years, Over older cover sales items and its footprint 33). hall (figure entrance in the exhibits become may the sales area days, On busy through flow and impede visitor crowded consider should The team the exhibits. flow visitor better a design that allows such as activities accommodating while and orientation, park sales, refreshments, questions. answering Crowded main hall and Crowded Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort A long, ‘L’ shaped counter is on the right is on the right shaped counter A long, ‘L’ hall. Behind the side of the entrance brochures Park bookshelves. are counter near the is on the counter and information On the left side of the entrance register. and sales additional bookshelves hall are run the sales and the FRC The park racks. staff the counter. and area people is an ideal place for The sales area on topics seek additional information to Sales center. in the visitor addressed upon the park’s support and expand items the themes. Stakeholders, interpretive would they staff indicated and park FRC, sale and for refreshments expand to like consume them. to area add a dedicated in this space should be relocated to to relocated should be in this space part of the center. another should visitors the center, Upon entering unifying park’s identify the be able to Themes can be and primary themes. that could a motto condensed into the wall, exterior or go on an interior Park door. desk, or the information and events orientation information found. be easily calendar should Area 8.4.2 Sales is the primary visitor The sales area and is the first thing visitors contact area 32). (figure the center enter see as they Figure 32. Figure CSP. museum entrance, their cultural backgrounds, and how • Make creative use of the high people engaged and interacted with ceilings for large graphics or other each other. exhibit elements. • Discuss the lasting effects Colony • Improve environmental conditions Ross had on the wider society. and exhibit case design to protect • Explore the park’s natural resources museum objects and make the cases and geologic processes that shaped easier to clean and maintain. the land. • Park and FRC staff indicate that the • Interpret Sonoma Coast’s plants and animals, with an emphasis on why exhibit hall works well. humans valued and sought them out. current visitor flow through the 8.4.4 Multi-purpose Room • Consider the cause and effect of overhunting and use of these precious resources. many important functions within the Thevisitor multi-purpose center. This isroom where (figure interpretive 34) serves • Illuminate the 100 plus-year history and school programs, special events, and of Fort Ross as a California State community gatherings take place. Park. • Highlight Fort Ross SHP’s historic preservation and natural resource restoration efforts. • Recognize Fort Ross SHP’s lasting ties to the local and international communities, especially their role in interpreting the park’s history and protecting its resources. • Include information about Fort Ross SHP recreational opportunities. Figure 34. Presentation in the multi- purpose room of the visitor center, Exhibits will: FRC 2013. • Use illustrations, artwork, The room has a comfortable seating area photographs, historic objects, and tactile elements to tell stories that let in natural light. It doubles as a associated with each theme. around the fireplace and large windows • and changing exhibits. Improvements to this room should consider the following: oral histories, and primary source theater to show park films, presentations, materialsFeature first to makeperson personal accounts, • Improve functionality to better connections and bring stories to life. accommodate the many uses. • Use hands-on, interactive elements • Add storage for supplies, tables, and and media. chairs. • Expand the kitchen to accommodate • Have a dedicated changing exhibit catered events. space to further explore storylines and themes. • and layout. Keep this space flexible in its design

92 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PROPOSED VISITOR EXPERIENCE 93 majority of park volunteers. Local groups Local groups volunteers. of park majority multi- the rent may and organizations and events, meetings, for room purpose shelter, As an emergency gatherings. during center the visitor locals depend on The events. and other disasters natural storage will need additional center visitor and supplies emergency the park’s for equipment. safety visitor and Small Groups Day Use Visitors visitors and small group use visitors Day do and group tour not part of a large are guidance as much not necessary require the building through circulate as they primarily Their needs are and park. on information of the park, exploration shelter. and possibly history, the park’s experience to should be allowed They may pace, but the building at their own of orientation and some level require staff. assistance by Special-Purpose Visitors the comes to A special-purpose visitor These visitors a specific reason. for park scholars, and be researchers, to tend Scholars special events. attend those who their time should focus and researchers need a and may library in the research access, and or internet terminal computer Special event work. space to a dedicated use the multi- should primarily attendees Both groups programs. for purpose room and the should use amenities, exhibits, sales area. Staff and Volunteers staff give and FRC staff, volunteers, CSP staff the visitor programs, interpretive the day- support for and provide center, The visitor at the park. operations to-day hub of operations is the central center much needed It provides group. this for functions, office space and administrative basic amenities, and a space, storage programs. for staging area

1 Relocate the changing exhibit space the changing exhibit Relocate the visitor area within to a dedicated exhibit near the main center and hall.

• Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort The interpretive planning process planning process The interpretive user and potential current analyzed will The exhibits SHP. Ross Fort to groups in consultation with these be developed groups. Students and Teachers (K-12) percentage up a large make These groups like staff would Park the park. of users to at offerings the interpretive expand to students more reach to center the visitor Exhibits and levels. grade of different core should model California programs and standards, curriculum framework engineering, including science, technology, and mathematics education (STEM). 8.5 User Groups Programs and the virtual classroom virtual classroom and the Programs should be held in the multi-purpose room. hold to should be ample room There and children at least 40 for programs adults per class. Families should programs Exhibits and interpretive both adults and engage be designed to most likely should Families children. pace. the building at their own experience Local Community/Park Neighbors is an important center The visitor up a Locals make community resource. 8.4.5 Reference Library and 8.4.5 Reference Research Area its expansive for is known SHP Ross Fort to like staff would Park library. reference larger accommodate to the library expand A researchers. space for and archives library should aid workstation computer use. Recreational Users understand how compliance Recreational Users come to the park contributes to the visitor experience as well as to preservation of historic and natural resource. forimproved activities park such orientation as hiking, information, fishing, • Messages should be arranged to andrecreational diving. This programs group willwith benefit an interpretive from element, and basic visitor amenities. The multi-purpose room could act as a staging visitors to understand the essential area for recreational programs. messagereflect the in 3-30-3 3 seconds, rule, acquire which allows a few more details in 30 seconds, or get People with Familial or Cultural Ties to a thorough overview of the topic Fort Ross’s Cultural History within three minutes. The visitor center will be a place where • Theme-based titles, provocative people learn about their cultural and sub-titles, and clearly written body familial ties to Fort Ross. For example, text that uses metaphors, analogies, Call family members may wish to learn and familiar terms, accompanied by more about their family’s ranching history illustrations will help interpret at there; Kashia, Native Alaskan, and Russian these various levels. descendants of Fort Ross Colonists may want to learn more about how their • ancestors lived and worked there. These wherever possible, especially for Kashia,Incorporate Native first-person Alaskan, Russian voice museum collections research area, a American Company Employees, and groupssearchable may database benefit from of people an improved who lived Ranchers. and worked at Fort Ross, or an oral history project to collect stories from Kashia and Call family members. 8.7 Accessibility Improvements 8.6 Interpretive To meet the recreational needs of all Recommendations the people of California and to provide an accessible environment in which all The following interpretive approaches visitors to the State Park System are should be considered when developing given the opportunity to understand, exhibits for the visitor center: appreciate, and participate in the state’s cultural, historical and natural heritage. • Where possible, informational (California Department of Parks and and interpretive media should Recreation policy, All Visitors Welcome, rely on non-verbal approaches to 2003.) communication. California State Parks (CSP) is • Strong repeat visitation patterns committed to making park facilities and suggest that a changing series of experiences—including interpretive programs and/or exhibits should be experiences—accessible to all the people an asset. of California. The exhibits for the Fort • When discussing regulations, Ross visitor center will follow current best practices and meet California State Parks language should be consistent, Accessibility Standards. positive, and authoritative. Rules should be accompanied by a brief explanation that helps visitors

94 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan PROPOSED VISITOR EXPERIENCE 95 Concept Design phases. The placement The placement Design phases. Concept will comply of this feature and design 2006-04, found Notice with Department intranet Parks State on the California Donor Parks State page, and the California Guidelines. Recognition & Sponsorship and “Programs on the is found The latter Parks State page of the California Policies” , http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_ website id=25529. Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort The visitor center will have a space will have center The visitor Planning donor recognition. for dedicated should and sponsor recognition donor for be included in the Exhibit Planning and 8.9 Donor and Sponsor Recognition 8.8 Longevity will be designed Ross at Fort The exhibits of 30 years. a minimum lifespan have to be Design elements should therefore features and exhibit classic, not trendy, the life prolong To be durable. designed to electronic and usability of the exhibits, However, media shall be used sparingly. certain elements such as video touch within replaced be need to may screens this period. At a minimum, this will involve using using this will involve a minimum, At colors, and sizes, styles font appropriate the between contrast and materials, panels will All and the background. text park that interpret include graphics CSP text. and supplement the resources avoiding by will maintain readability terms, technical expressions, unfamiliar the interpretive If conveying and jargon. will CSP such terms, message requires definitions and pronunciation provide and text font of large copy aids. A hard at the information images will be available will be open- programs desk. Audio-visual audio-descriptions captioned and have as well. available exhibit design concepts for Universal meeting the minimum go beyond products Such accessibility. for requirements all be usable by to intended are products possible, extent the greatest people, to design. without adaptation or specialized elements of Exhibits should incorporate will they which design through universal small visitors, elderly be accessible to speakers/readers, non-English children, mobility, as people with limited as well vision, and/or hearing. 1. For more information, see the California Department of Education website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/ stemintrod.asp (California Department of Education, 2013).

96 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan NEXT STEPS 97 Department executive staff. Monies may may staff. Monies executive Department a combination through also be available Partners campaigns. and capital of grants needed associations are and cooperating the facility funding for help procure to This including exhibits. improvements, as in phases, can be addressed project funding is available. Programming 9.1.2 Project will be improvements facility Plans for design in tandem with exhibit developed project The interpretive development. with architects, closely will work team specialists in engineers, and resource and exhibit architectural developing The multidisciplinary team programming. and construction all program will review building ensure documents to the necessary modifications will provide exhibits. the proposed support for using a Exhibit plans will be developed design an exhibit for services contract works and build firm. The consultant transform to team with the interpretive plans for design development ideas into Depending on the type of fabrication. the consultant and exhibits, programming all of the plans and produce be able to may the fabrication for construction drawings planning and installation. The interpretive be to should be prepared however, team, in the design process, involved heavily experts, as subject matter especially images and provide and to writers, in Department museum objects available and stakeholders, holdings. Partners, will also be experts subject matter interpretive the through coordinated team. project statements program The interpretive schedule and scope will include a project and contain the tasks which of work, of the project. The duration anticipated be will work and architectural exhibit the necessary ensure to phased together done in tandem are improvements facility with new exhibits. Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 9.1 Visitor Center 9.1 Visitor Improvements Project makes planning process The interpretive is center visitor Ross clear that the Fort of uses and accommodating a wider range designed. originally than was activities existing replace to proposes This project the functionality of and improve exhibits center. old visitor 30-year the over and exhibits to improvements Future functional space within and around changes require the building may building footprint the existing to exhibit Before and infrastructure. and concept designs can programming it will be necessary to be developed, improvements facility which determine needs. center visitor will best meet future require significant changes may Any and new electrical, plumbing, heating reviews plan, CEQA a lighting air system, and Coastal Commission permits, and The Service contract. a public works with the specialists will work Center’s plans and accessibility review district to and cost estimates, provide requirements, contracts. construction oversee 9.1.1 Securing Funding project improvements center The visitor project. As qualifies as a capital outlay bond future be eligible for such, it would must first be added funding. The project Database Infrastructure the Park to the District and (PID), and prioritized by CHAPTER 9: NEXT 9: NEXT CHAPTER STEPS project interpretive for steps The next exhibit developing planning involve design designs, concept programming, and installation development, fabrication, closeout. This and project of exhibits, involved processes the describes chapter way. the along consider and points to Table 14 can be used to estimate the schedule and scope of work from start- up through closeout for a typical visitor center project. It is also useful when developing the services contract for the

Tableexhibit 14. firm. Scope of Work and Schedule # Calendar Phase Task Days Project start-up Project start-up and site meetings Workshops (if needed) Exhibit program description 120 Concept design Draft concept design Final concept design 120 Design development Draft design development Final design development 120 Fabrication Final artwork Shop drawings 60 Installation 30 Project closeout 14 Total calendar days to complete work 464

9.1.3 Concept Design objects, and/or reproductions, and the Once the initial exhibit and architectural media or method of delivery. Concept programming is complete and the design plans will undergo several drafts consultant is on-board, the project moves into Concept Design. During this phase, have preliminary graphic layouts with a the consultant will produce conceptual andcolor refinements. and font palate, The proposedfinal product exhibit will layouts of the visitor center. These plans materials, layout, and technology, draft text and images, and general lighting and elevations, circulation, and a description electrical plans. willof exhibit show contentexhibit locations,and visitor floor experience. plans, Plans of exterior exhibits or landscaping will be included, if it is part of the exhibit 9.1.4 Design Development program. The Design Development phase takes the plans and develops them into shop The concept design plans will have a drawings and construction documents. detailed narrative of the overall exhibit, overarching themes and storylines, of details including overall design and recommended project scope, and cost The planning team will refine the final exhibitlayout, objects,text images artwork, and confirm color and a myriad font proposedestimates. building For each modifications, exhibit area, it will describe the goals and objectives that are met, proposed images, museum palates, and finishes.

98 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan NEXT STEPS 99 and supplies for interpretive programs programs interpretive for and supplies of the Barracks in the Officers’ located are to adjustments Moderate compound. fort be made should programs interpretive that do not programs accommodate to center. occur in the visitor regularly cases American exhibit Native Three mounts, modified with new exhibit were stabilizers to and humidity lighting, baskets and support the fragile protect cooking and materials, and weaving objects. cultural and other hunting tools, also produced. were text Exhibit labels and a 30- have to intended These cases were span and should be incorporated life year Other museum objects new exhibits. into need similar conservation may on display mounts before and new exhibit treatment new exhibits. into being reincorporated 9.1.6 Installation doing facility contractor The general existing will remove improvements and cases; however, structures exhibits in the also be involved staff may park of the old exhibits. demolition and removal completes contractor the general After consultant firm will the exhibit their work, The consultant install the new exhibits. on staff with training park will provide and warranty maintenance, its operation, upon completion of the project. 9.1.7 Project Closeout of the project, the conclusion the park At will consolidate team and Service Center files, scan documents, and all project the Unit Data File. to upload new reports photography, artwork, produced Project should be inventoried and illustrations future for format in retrievable and kept copies of project access. Digital and hard the Department’s for files will be prepared office. All Records and Central archives documents will be filed budget-related audit purposes. for and ready Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Shop drawings will be produced that show that show produced will be Shop drawings cases, furniture, components, exhibit and interactive mounts, artifact platforms, will drawings Construction components. modifications, detailed building show plans. and electrical lighting, will be and shop drawings All construction ensure to the Service Center by reviewed requirements and state all building codes, and met. approved plans are are Once the Fire State the appropriate signed off by Section, the Marshal and Accessibility Fabrication. into moves project before 9.1.5 Site Considerations Exhibit Installation the public inform It will be important to and visitor project about the proposed a minimum, the At closure. center should website Park State California project with the latest be updated at the park and posted information is tool kiosk. Another effective entrance project interpretive place temporary to project, that describe the panels at the site closure and anticipated funding sources, dates. the fabrication, During the exhibit center the visitor will prepare park installation. Significant and exhibit for museum collections and archival fragile and packed be safely will need to materials facility building before out of the moved installation and exhibit improvements in and staff trained occurs. A curator handling museum collections will need the collections, update re-inventory to and pack and move museum records, and environmentally a secure objects to facility. safe or part, in whole center, The visitor be closed during the to need may facility on the work contractor’s general develop should The park improvements. and services visitor move a plan to another location, if that is to operations staff offices interpretive Park required. 9.2 Conclusion The Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretive Project Plan (IPP) is a vital Over the years, the park and its partners tool to communicate interpretive concepts, have developed solid relationships with prioritize work, generate revenue, and California tribal groups, Russian scholars hire consultants. The Mission and Vision and cultural groups, as well as national for Interpretation, Goals, Objectives, and and international government entities. The Strategies provide the foundation for park’s strong relationships are evident with events like the 2012 Bicentennial functions, and creating new interpretive Celebration and annual Cultural Heritage exhibitprograms. development, The IPP is adefining highly effective building Days, where people from around the tool to pursue funding. It shows potential world and from diverse backgrounds funders that interpretive programs and participate. Recently, the Magasin and projects are well developed and organized. Windmill reconstruction projects have Much of the information needed to garnered much positive publicity and receive funding internally and with grant raised awareness about the park. It will be programs is found in the IPP. important to keep the momentum going to expand support of partners and raise Finally, the IPP shows how the Department funds for interpretive projects. mission to the public here at Fort Ross Going forward, the park should consider isSHP. actively working towards fulfilling its reconstruction projects, land acquisitions, updatingconservation the Generalprograms, Plan and to changesreflect recent to how the park is used. A study of the General Plan will help determine if its 40-year old projects and guidelines are still viable. In addition, the park should develop an Interpretation Master Plan (IMP). The IMP will determine how the entire park will be interpreted and help direct the development of exhibits in the visitor center. Much of the research and work presented in Chapters 5-8 of this IPP can be used in writing the IMP and General Plan amendment.

It will be important to update Fort Ross State Historic Park’s (SHP) Annual Interpretation Implementation Plan to include the tasks that can be accomplished in the Chapter 7, Recommendations. Many of these tasks, such as updating orientation and park information and visitor outreach programs may not

and will dramatically improve the visitor requireexperience. significant Marketing additional and trip funding planning more attention to the park and attract toolspotential identified funders. in the tasks will bring

100 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan REFERENCES 101 Colonial Russian Russian Colonial Portland, OR: Oregon OR: Oregon Portland, California State Parks, Sacramento: Sacramento: Parks, State California 1975. of California, State Workbook, Planning Workbook. and Education Interpretation of State Sacramento: Division, 2013. California, Student. 2013. http://www.ports. 4, 2013). (accessed June parks.ca.gov/ and Department of Parks "California Maps/ SHP, Ross Fort Recreation." 2013. http://www. Brochures. parks.ca.gov/MediaGallery/?page_ (accessed June id=449&m=brochures 13, 2013). http://www.russian-americans.org/ (accessed June 24, 2013). index.html . Dmytryshyn, Reports, Khlebnikov's T. Kyrill America: 1817-1832. 1976. Society, Historical Manual. Policy Department Operations Division, Operations Manual, Park Sacramento: Parks, State California 2010, 09-01 to of California, State 09-70. Partners. Celebration Bicentennial 2013. http://www.fortross2012. (accessed June 24, org/partners.htm 2013). (accessed June 13, 2013). org/ California State Parks. Interpretation Interpretation Parks. State California and Teachers for Online Resource Parks brochure. Parks State California Americans, Inc. of Russian Congress and Basil E.A.P, Crownhart-Vaughan, and Education, DOM 0900, Interpretation Ross Fort Conservancy. Ross Fort 2013. http://www.fortross. SHP. Ross Fort 2013. October 7, 2013. October Workbook, Workbook, Second Edition. Edition. Second Interpretation and Education and Education Interpretation Parks, State California Division, 2012. of California, State Sacramento: of Alaska University 1867. Fairbanks: 2004. Press, Engineering, Technology, Science, & Mathematics. http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/ 7, (accessed October stemintrod.asp 2013). Manual." Administrative "State 2013. http://sam.dgs.ca.gov/ (accessed April TOC/6000/6899.aspx 5, 2013). Environmental California's Agency. 26, 2011. July and Concepts. Principles http://www.calepa.ca.gov/education/ 2012). principles/ (accessed April 18, n.d. http://www.californiaeei.org/ 19, 2013). (accessed March California Frameworks." Curriculum June 10, Department of Education. 2013. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/ cf/documents/histsocsciframe.pdf 24, 2013). (accessed July http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_ 24, 2013). id=91 (accessed July Plan and Management Resource Plan. Planning Development General Document, Planning Division, Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort REFERENCES Learning System, Basic Interpretation Black, Lydia T. Russians in Alaska: 1732- in Alaska: Russians T. Black, Lydia of Education. Department California Services. Department of General California Protection Environmental California Initiative. Environment and the Education, "All of Education. Board State California Us. About Parks. State California SHP: Ross Fort Parks. State California The Natural Environment of Sonoma Coast. fortrossfoundation.org/ (accessed 1998. http://www.fortross.org/ June 24, 2013). visitors.htm (accessed February 22, 2013). Russian Center of San Francisco. Russian Center of San Francisco. 2001-2010. Fort Ross Interpretive Association. Fort http://www.russiancentersf.com/ Ross. Edited by Lyn Kalani, Lynn Rudy home (accessed June 24, 2013). and John Sperry. Jenner, CA: Fort Ross Interpretive Association, 1998. Russian House Kedry. Russian House Kedry. 2009. http://www.kedry.org/engl/ Gibson, James R. Imperial Russia in about_engl.php (accessed June 24, Frontier America: the Changing 2013). Geography of Supply of Russian America, 1784-1867. New York: Sonoma County Permit and Resource Oxford University Press, 1976. Management Department. "Sonoma County Hazard Mitigation Plan." Gualala Arts Center. Gualala Arts Center. Sonoma County. October 25, 2011. 2013. http://gualalaarts.org/index. http://www.sonoma-county.org/ html (accessed June 24, 2013). prmd/docs/hmp_2011/ (accessed June 13, 2013). Interpretation Planning Section. Fort Ross Visitor Center Storyline. Interpretive State of California. "Reports." California State Personnel Board. 2013. http:// California Department of Parks and spb.ca.gov/board/reports.cfm Plan,Recreation, Office ofSacramento: Interpretive State Services, of (accessed June 14, 2013). California, 1983, 211. Western Regional Climate Center. FORT Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the ROSS, CALIFORNIA. June 24, 2013. Stewarts Point Rancheria. Stewarts http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/ Point Rancheria. n.d. www. cliMAIN.pl?caftro+nca (accessed June stewartspoint.org (accessed June 24, 24, 2013). 2013).

Khlebnikov, Kiril Timofeevich. The Khlebnikov archive: unpublished journal (1800-18370 and travel notes (1820, 1822, and 1824). Edited by Leonid Shur. Translated by John Bisk. The University of Alaska Press, 1990.

McGhie Allan III, James. Forge and Falseworks: An Archaeological Investigation of the Russian American Company's. Doctoral Thesis, Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley: Fort Ross Conservancy, 2001.

Renova Fort Ross Foundation. Renova Fort Ross Foundation. 2011. http://

102 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDICES 103 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort APPENDICES 104 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX A 105 22 No opinion 1 Not at all 1 Not very Both 11 16 No 25 Somewhat Attended Attended before 65 Sun 93 Been before 136 143 Yes Very helpful 154 Sat 131 65 First time First time 55 Bicentennial Cultural Heritage Cultural Bicentennial Would you rate the rate you Would as: interaction Have you interacted interacted you Have staff with a CSP person in uniform today? Is this your first visit Is this your Heritage Cultural to you or have Days before? attended or or Sunday Saturday both? Is this your first visit Is this your or have the park to before? been here you Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort The 2012 Bicentennial Cultural Heritage Cultural The 2012 Bicentennial the 200-year commemorated event Days the Russian- by Ross Fort establishment of the A shows Table American Company. that survey intercept of a visitor results staff at the event. CSP by conducted was the close to are voting of the topic Results prioritized at the two discussed and topics meetings. stakeholder A1. Table 2012 Survey, Intercept Visitor Days APPENDIX A: 2012 A: APPENDIX BICENTENNIAL HERITAGE CULTURAL SURVEY DAYS VISITOR Ft. Ross— Kashia Russians Ft. Ross many Pomo brought & Russia cultures prior to new tech & remain Russians science connected Please let us know if you learned about 158 139 126 142 any of the following (check all that apply):

To help with future exhibits, how interested would you be in learning about Don’t the following? Very Somewhat Not very Not at all know Fort Ross and fur trade 103 62 5 2 3 Local Native American 128 40 6 3 1 history/culture History/culture of Alaskan Natives at Ft. 127 38 6 1 2 Ross Ranching/agricultural 92 57 16 5 2 period after Russia left Marine ecology and 122 42 7 2 1 sea otter history

106 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX B 107 Balaenoptera musculus Balaenoptera Zalophus californianus acutorostrata Balaenoptera angustirostris Mirounga robustus Eschrichtius phocoena Phocoena vitulina Phoca novaeangliae Megaptera orca Orcinus jubatus Eumetopias delphis Delphinus Taxonomic Designation Taxonomic Haliotis sp. luetkeana Nereocystis Mytilus californianus menziesi Egregia Patellogastropoda palmaeformis Postelsia sulcata Anemonia sp. Asteroidea sp. Echinoidea marmoratus Scorpaenichthys kisutch Oncorhynchus Ophiodon elongatus sp. Sebastes Embiotocidae mykiss Oncorhynchus Taxonomic Designation Taxonomic macrophyllum Acer Pinus muricata 1 blue whale sea lion California whale common minke northern elephant seal whale gray porpoise harbor seal harbor humpback whale (orca) killer whale sea lion Steller’s common short-beaked dolphin cabezon Common Name Common abalone bull kelp mussel California boa kelp feather limpet postelsia sea anemone sea star sea urchin coho salmon lingcod rockfish surfperch trout steelhead

Trees Common Marine Plants and Common Marine

Mammals Fish Plants and Intertidal Animals Intertidal and Plants big leaf maple bishop pine Common Name Common Table B2. Table Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort APPENDIX B: COMMON COMMON B: APPENDIX ANIMALS AND PLANTS B1. Table Animals Common Name Taxonomic Designation buckeye Aesculus californica California bay Umbellularia californica California nutmeg Torreya californica coast live oak Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia coast redwood Sequoia sempervirens Pseudotsuga menziesii eucalyptus* Eucalyptus cinerea Douglas fir Abies grandis Monterey cypress Hesperocyparis macrocarpa grand fir Arbutus menziesii tanbark oak Northolithocarpus densiflorus Pacific madrone white alder Alnus rhombifolia willow Salix sp.

Table B3. Shrubs and Woody Vines Common Name Taxonomic Designation adder’s tongue Ophioglossum sp. berry Rubus sp. bedstraw Galium sp. California hazelnut Corylus cornuta ssp. californica California manzanita Arctostaphylos sp. coffee berry Frangula californica coyote brush Baccharis pilularis var. consanguinea currant Ribes sp. elderberry Sambucus sp. Himalayan blackberry* Rubus armeniacus honeysuckle Lonicera sp. huckleberry Vaccinium ovatum Morella californica yellow bush lupine Lupinus arboreus Pacific wax myrtle Table B4. Herbaceous Flowering Plants Common Name Taxonomic Designation Mimulus aurantiacus buttercup Ranunculus sp. bush monkey flower California azalea Rhododendron occidentale California blackberry Rubus ursinus

108 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX B 109 Taxonomic Designation Taxonomic avita Oenothera sp. Ceanothus californica Eschscholzia sp. Stellaria sp. Trifolium sp. Aquilegia Iris douglasiana sp. Prosartes bulbosa Calypso bigelovii Scoliopus sylvatica Myosotis genera various sp. Castilleja sp. Lupinus sp. Marah marianum Silybum californica Cardamine perfoliata Claytonia douglasiana Artemisia sp. Urtica diversilobum Toxicodendron spectabilis Rubus Garrya sp. stellatum Maianthemum maculata Corallorhiza sp. Fragaria parviflorusRubus sp. Trillium Viola sp. palmatus var. frigidus Petasites Asarum caudatum sp. Oxalis millefolium Achillea California evening primrose evening California lilac California poppy California chickweed clover columbine iris Douglas bells fairy slipper fairy adder’s tongue fetid forget-me-not* woodland grasses Indian paintbrush lupine man-root milk thistle* milk maids miner’s lettuce mugwort nettle poison oak salmonberry silk tassel bush seal slim Solomon’s coralroot spotted strawberry thimbleberry trillium violet coltsfoot sweet Western wild ginger Western wood-sorrel yarrow Common Name Common Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table B5. Ferns, Fern Allies and Lower Plants Common Name Scientific Name bracken Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens Adiantum aleuticum polypody Polypodium sp. five-finger fern sword fern Polystichum sp. wood fern Dryopteris sp.

Table B6. Birds Common Name Taxonomic Designation American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos American kestrel Falco sparverius American robin Turdus migratorius barn swallow Hirundo rustica black oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani Brewer’s blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis California gull Larus californicus California towhee Melozone crissalis Canada goose Branta canadensis common raven Corvus corax dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis common murre Uria aalge cormorant Phalacrocorax spp. great egret Ardea alba golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos great blue heron Ardea herodias Haemorhous mexicanus osprey Pandion haliaetus house finch red-shouldered hawk Buteo lineatus red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis spotted towhee Pipilo maculatus turkey vulture Cathartes aura white-tailed kite Elanus leucurus

110 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX B 111 Taxonomic Designation Taxonomic Thamnophis sp. catenifer Pituophis catenifer Charina bottae Pseudacris sierra Taxonomic Designation Taxonomic Ursus americanus columbianus hemionus Odocoileus Lepus californicus rufus Lynx bachmani Sylvilagus beecheyi Otospermophilus latrans Canis cinereoargenteus Urocyon Puma concolor sp. Thomomys Bassariscus astutus canadensis Lontra Mephitis mephitis gracilis Spilogale scrofa Sus Reptiles and Amphibians Reptiles Mammals gartersnake gopher snake Pacific rubber boa treefrog Sierran Common Name Common American black bear American deer black-tailed jackrabbit black-tailed bobcat brush rabbit squirrel ground California coyote fox gray mountain lion gopher pocket ringtail cat otter river striped skunk skunk spotted western wild boar Common Name Common Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table B8. B8. Table Table B7. Table Endnotes 1. Non-native species are denoted with an asterisk *

112 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX C 113

separate exhibit areas instead of the wood of the wood instead areas exhibit separate panel walls. and Sales Area Information Counter placed be strategically should The counter through of visitors the flow organize to the behind hall. The area the exhibit have visitors space than has more counter appears There of the counter. in front the sales area for be a lot of storage to should items sale” “For behind the counter. themes, interpretive to directly relate Videos could and special events. programs, or alcove the exhibit into be integrated of the multi-purpose hall instead exhibit room. Multi-purpose Room in changing exhibits several were There of their with little explanation this room how and no clear indication of contents, is used. this room Main Exhibit Hall and much text too Exhibit panels have New exhibit read. cumbersome to too are and designs fonts different panels have panels. New the original exhibit from interspersed cases and panels are exhibit do not panels and often with older exhibit effect The overall the panel text. reinforce can be jarring with no smooth transition sections, themes, and periods. between that the exhibits Some participants noted lit. dimly are Exit Vestibule S.S. Pomona of the shipwrecked An exhibit is treated as an afterthought since they are are since they an afterthought as is treated vestibule. placed in the exit Overall Exhibit Recommendations new exhibits, When developing using hands- participants recommended Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Appendix C presents a summary of the C presents Appendix the within area findings first by overall exhibits of the a review by building followed format. in table recommendations with survey accessibility of the results the Finally, the with of tables in a series shown are presented original survey Details questions. be used when to intended are here designs. concept exhibit future developing Park State 2012, California In February Coordinators District Interpretive (CSP) Ross met at Fort the state around from participate (SHP) to Park Historic State activities. training interpretive in several participants were As part of the training, and evaluating with examining tasked and center old visitor 30-year the nearly visitor assessed the overall They exhibits. still were exhibits whether experience, met and if exhibits and effective, relevant would The survey accessibility compliancy. planning process kick off the interpretive that year. later that occurred 30 people including Approximately staff, split up and park instructors the visitor survey to small groups into Their responses and exhibits. center and in on worksheets recorded were make used to The data was form. note and exhibits future for recommendations function. center’s the visitor improve Visitor Center Entrance the center, the visitor When entering no was there participants felt training park in a state were clear indication they park a lack of state was There facility. Recommendations and identity. branding exhibit an introductory included creating panel at the start of the exhibit, adding American of Native “interchange” more to materials different and using words, APPENDIX C: EXHIBIT EXHIBIT C: APPENDIX SURVEY ACCESSIBILITY CRITIQUE AND on displays, mounting exhibit cases on the wall, and ensuring the objects on display enhance the content presented.

Table C1. Exhibit Area Comments and Recommendations Exhibit Name/Area Review and Recommendations People from the Top Exhibit title is too subtle; not clear of the Native American of the Land language being presented. Not clear if the Pomo are the “People from the Top of the Land”. Need to clarify if all the groups shown are “People from the Top of the Land”. There seems to be three layers of info being presented: Tribal group, Traditional territory, and modern geographic locations. Need to reference trade towards the beginning of the exhibit. Tribal Map Panel Not in correct location for eye appeal.

number location. TheDifficult band to of differentiate green makes color it seem bands, that place the Pomo names dominates of tribe near other tribes. No distance symbol on the map with text reference. Does this map show what we are seeing in the distance of 30 x 50 miles? More engaging if topographic map is used. Use the park’s geographic location in the larger context of the region and world. The Russians Arrive at May-tee-nee there? IncludeIdentify aRussian map from Crest Aleutians – perhaps to Fortuse aRoss. flag. Why is this used The Lure of Fur Missing native people. Why do we want fur? Why is Fort Ross the key place? Include fur pelt. Duplicate maps. Illustration of otter Quote from 1829 is an important quote that should be featured. Born in a Baidarka Need to label artifacts in display case.

114 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX C 115 Review and Recommendations Review with silhouette. use number of labels, Instead period. by and shell beads points projectile Organize (thimble, etc.). items household Missing labels for materials Identify natural part. body Whalebone – label label shell- missing Abalone Metal spear point, or knife? human scale Cool model!!! Show modern overlay. by Should be enhanced panel. should be close to artifacts Cemetery in the case came from the artifacts understand where Don’t Population”. under “Orthodox wall. on the higher could be mounted or other graphic Cross see one? What’s a ruble? Can we value? help us understand an equivalent Can you understand that the years/annual long to excessively Took horizontally. together loss all went increases/income/net panels. separate two were they Thought executed. Good idea, poorly actual botanical specimens. Could show up a typo? Is the bear covering another park. it came from like Looks out of place. totally Exhibit panel looks with chronology. Seems discordant Exhibit Name/Area Exhibit Archaeology Display Display Archaeology Case Windmill Exploration and Trade Map A Final Home Profits Few Too Curiosities Natural Guide The Emigrant’s California to of The People California Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Accessibility Survey exhibit one of three surveyed Each group the Native 1 surveyed Group areas. the 2 surveyed Group area, Peoples the 3 surveyed and Group area, Russian area. Ranching coincide with the findings The results have New and old exhibits earlier. noted is too There and styles. fonts inconsistent do and the some fonts text much exhibit size. not meet the minimum recommended the exhibit from far is set too Some text railing and other text is set too low. Exhibit

finisheshave inconsistent and lighting sizes create and afonts. glare that makes text difficult to read. Artifact labels Recommendations include updating exhibit panels and cases to present information in a clear, organized, and consistent manner. Content should be offered in multiple formats to accommodate visitors with varying abilities. Hands-on and tactile components would also enhance the visitor experience.

Table C2. Learning and Language (Native People’s Area) NATIVE PEOPLES—GROUP 1 ACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST Yes No N/A Comment FOR EXHIBITS A. SITE PLAN

plans been submitted, showing compliant exhibit locations, Have the site drawings or floor x panel dimensions, mounting heights and angled, viewing distances and turning space? Are the paths of travel through the exhibit barrier-free, x allowing compliant approaches, views and departures? Are the hands-on and None interactive components within prescribed reach ranges, x not requiring tight pinching, twisting or grasping? B. DESIGN ELEMENTS Have panel designs been submitted on hard copy minimum of 40% of actual x size), or electronically in Photoshop or Illustrator? Is the layout of each panel Original exhibits consistent. visually logical and easy to x New (Russian mariners) not understand? consistent Are videos captioned for sound x No videos and key visuals?

116 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX C 117 Comment Original—yes New—no varies map no Intro/ New quotation and Map text Family" "Larger from N/A x x x x x x x No x x x Yes Are audio components audio components Are captioned and include adjustable volume? styles font all caption text Are (24-point and sizes legible? is the recommended front captions.) minimum for resources format alternate Are and all text including materials, of media short descriptions available graphics, and key upon request? C. LIGHTING AND CONTRAST are Exhibit finishes and lighting and glare? of shadows free text between Is the contrast at or near and background 70%? shown and text graphics Are uncluttered a visually against background? AND TEXT TYPEFACES D. well and graphics text Are balanced, including text concise, that is clear, content the exhibit and germane to graphics? including layout, Is the text and blocks the size of text lines and the space between spaced columns, appropriately balanced? and visually and font typefaces exhibit Are meeting read, to easy styles with italics legibility standards, or terms foreign used for only short quotes? heights text Do the main body meet the minimums for viewing distances? Remember that minimum uppercase at a distance of 40" "X-height" 48 point.is %" or at least 40 to NATIVE PEOPLES—GROUP 1 PEOPLES—GROUP NATIVE CHECKLIST ACCESSIBILITY EXHIBITS FOR Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort NATIVE PEOPLES—GROUP 1 ACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST Yes No N/A Comment FOR EXHIBITS Are all labels for graphics or object created in legible sizes and styles, placed consistently x and, if on horizontal shelves, are at readable heights and angles?

Table C3. Learning and Language (Russian Area) RUSSIAN—GROUP 2 ACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST Yes No N/A Comment FOR EXHIBITS A. SITE PLAN

plans been submitted, showing compliant exhibit locations, Have the site drawings or floor x panel dimensions, mounting heights and angled, viewing distances and turning space? Are the paths of travel through One Exhibit text is 80 the exhibit barrier-free, allowing x inches from view location. compliant approaches, views Step up to exhibit and departures? Are the hands-on and interactive Some text is too low for components within prescribed x ADA reach ranges, not requiring tight pinching, twisting or grasping? B. DESIGN ELEMENTS Have panel designs been 48 inches from floor submitted on hard copy railing. Too high? Blocks minimum of 40% of actual size), x artifact case or electronically in Photoshop or Illustrator? Is the layout of each panel Too much going on in visually logical and easy to panel spaces. Some text understand? in "Born in a Baidarka" is obscured by exhibit case from a wheel chair height. Are videos captioned for sound x and key visuals? Are audio components captioned and include x adjustable volume?

118 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX C 119 Comment 5/8 inch tall main text, main text, tall 5/8 inch text 1/4" caption dark corner, shadows corner, dark poor lighting effects of text contrast text much Too text for Not enough space styles over font Different time 5/8" main text are in cases Some labels being so low small for too N/A x x x x x x x x No x Yes Are all caption text font styles styles font all caption text Are (24-point and sizes legible? is the recommended front captions.) minimum for resources format alternate Are and all text including materials, of media and short descriptions upon available graphics, key request? C. LIGHTING AND CONTRAST C. LIGHTING AND are Exhibit finishes and lighting and glare? of shadows free and text between Is the contrast at or near 70%? background shown and text graphics Are uncluttered a visually against background? AND TEXT TYPEFACES D. well and graphics text Are content balanced, including text and concise, that is clear, graphics? the exhibit germane to including the layout, Is the text and the space blocks size of text lines and columns, between spaced and appropriately balanced? visually and font typefaces exhibit Are meeting read, to easy styles with italics legibility standards, or terms foreign used for only short quotes? heights text Do the main body viewing meet the minimums for that distances? Remember "X-height" minimum uppercase at a distance of 40" is %" or at 48 point.least 40 to or graphics for all labels Are in legible sizes object created placed consistently and styles, are and, if on horizontal shelves, and angles? heights at readable RUSSIAN—GROUP 2 RUSSIAN—GROUP CHECKLIST ACCESSIBILITY EXHIBITS FOR Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table C4. Learning and Language (Ranching Area) RANCHING- GROUP 3 ACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST Yes No N/A Comment FOR EXHIBITS A. SITE PLAN no answer plans been submitted, showing Havecompliant the site exhibit drawings locations, or floor panel dimensions, mounting heights and angled, viewing distances and turning space? Are the paths of travel through measured at 36” the exhibit barrier-free, allowing x compliant approaches, views and departures? Are the hands-on and interactive components within prescribed x reach ranges, not requiring tight pinching, twisting or grasping? B. DESIGN ELEMENTS Have panel designs been no answer submitted on hard copy minimum of 40% of actual size), or electronically in Photoshop or Illustrator? Is the layout of each panel visually logical and easy to x understand? Are videos captioned for sound x and key visuals? Are audio components captioned and include x adjustable volume? Are all caption text font styles and sizes legible? (24-point x front is the recommended minimum for captions.) Are alternate format resources no answer materials, including all text and short descriptions of media and key graphics, available upon request? C. LIGHTING AND CONTRAST x free of shadows and glare? Exhibit finishes and lighting are

120 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX C 121 Comment unlikely N/A x x x x x x x No Yes Is the contrast between text and text between Is the contrast at or near 70%? background Are graphics and text shown shown and text graphics Are uncluttered a visually against background? AND TEXT D. TYPEFACES well and graphics text Are content text balanced, including concise, and that is clear, graphics? the exhibit germane to including the layout, Is the text and the space blocks size of text lines and columns, between spaced and appropriately balanced? visually and font typefaces exhibit Are meeting read, to easy styles with italics legibility standards, or terms foreign used for only short quotes? heights text Do the main body viewing meet the minimums for that distances? Remember "X-height" minimum uppercase at a distance of 40" is %" or at 48 point.least 40 to or graphics all labels for Are in legible sizes object created placed consistently and styles, are and, if on horizontal shelves, and angles? heights at readable RANCHING- GROUP 3 GROUP RANCHING- CHECKLIST ACCESSIBILITY EXHIBITS FOR Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 122 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX D 123 ate map skills ate e and contrast the the e and contrast e and contrast erentiate between between erentiate xplain governmental xplain governmental people, places, and

Students e Students understand basic Students describe the human Students diff Students demonstr Students compar Students Students compar

2.3 in the United institutions and practices and other countries. (American- States Fort to in regards relationship Russian SHP). Ross 2.4 1.5 places and the of familiar characteristics of American citizens backgrounds varied who in those places. (People and residents time and where over Ross at Fort lived if not indigenous). came from, they a Grade Two—People Who Make Difference 2.1 and things things that happened long ago and (Compare that happened yesterday. and events Ross at Fort events contrast SHP). Ross at Fort that occur today 2.2 and relative describing the absolute by locations of the locations of trade (Map environments. coming before people lived where routes, they after went they where Ross, Fort to left here). Grade One—A Child’s Place in Time Place in Time One—A Child’s Grade and Space 1.2 of places locations relative and absolute describe the physical and people and of places. characteristics and/or human lived, of people who locations (Historical Fort and from to and traveled worked, Ross). 1.4 times and places in different life everyday that and recognize the world around people, places, and things some aspects of the others stay time while change over over Ross at Fort lived who same. (People if not came from, they time and where indigenous). 2

1 e and contrast e and contrast ch simple descriptions Students compar Students mat

Exhibits and programs should align with should align with and programs Exhibits standards. most currents the when This appendix is a useful reference interpretive expand to ways brainstorming programs, tours, exhibits, for content and other interpretive special events, is of Education Board services. The State of updating the curriculum in the process should consult the The reader framework. framework and complete most current when standards and curriculum content interpretive for content developing services and exhibits. Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort K.4 the locations of people, places, and describe their and environments at Fort lived who (People characteristics. came from, they time and where over Ross if not indigenous). Kindergarten—Learning and Working Now and Long Ago K.3 people do and the names that of work at the school, in the local jobs of related accounts. historical and from community, and lived of people who (Professions 1812 to from Ross at Fort worked present). History and Social Science History and Social Science Framework and Standards Appendix D includes an outline of the the of an outline D includes Appendix Framework Curriculum State California Environmental and the and Standards Only principles. Initiative Education relate that and standards framework resources, significant park’s the to directly noted. are and themes preriods, interpretive and principles all framework However, consideration. into should be taken APPENDIX D: D: APPENDIX CURRICULUM AND FRAMEWORK STANDARDS economic concepts and their roles in the and regions in California. (Why people economy and demonstrate basic economic settled at Fort Ross (e.g. fresh water, reasoning skills. (What jobs did Russian timber resources, fur-bearing animals, American Company employees perform? Did protected cove, land to grow food and their ethnic background make a difference raise animals and so on)). in what they did? Compare and contrast Ranchers and State Park Employees with 4.2 Students describe the social, the Russian American Company employees. political, cultural, and economic life and How different were the professions from interactions among people of California todays?). from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho 2.5 Students understand the periods. (Kashia, Coast Miwok, Russian- importance of individual action and American Company (RAC), Native character and explain how heroes from Alaskans, interaction with Spanish and long ago and the recent past have made a Mexican Alta California). difference in others’ lives. (Historic figures from the area and Fort Ross). 4.3 Students explain the economic, social, and political life in California from the establishment of the Bear Flag Grade Three—Continuity and Republic through the Mexican-American Change War, the Gold Rush, and the granting 3.1 Students describe the physical of statehood. (RAC sale of Fort Ross, and human geography and use maps, Ranching at Fort Ross). tables, graphs, photographs, and charts to organize information about people, places, 4.4 Students explain how California and environments in a spatial context. became an agricultural and industrial (Historical locations of people who lived, power, tracing the transformation of the worked, and traveled to and from Fort California economy and its political and Ross). cultural development since the 1850s. (Call family ranch to becoming a California 3.2 Students describe the American State Park). Indian nations in their local region long ago and in the recent past. (Kashia and Coast Miwok Tribes). Grade Five—United States History and Geography: Making a New Nation 3.3 Students draw from historical and community resources to organize the 5.1 Students describe the major pre- sequence of local historical events and Columbian settlements, including the cliff describe how each period of settlement dwellers and pueblo people of the desert left its mark on the land. (Cultural history southwest, the American Indians of the of Fort Ross and effects on the land (e.g. fur trade, construction, timber industry, of the Great Plains, and the woodland farming, ranching)). Pacificpeoples Northwest, east of the theMississippi nomadic River. nations (Native Californians, especially Kashia and Coast Miwok). Grade Four—California: A Changing State 5.2 Students trace the routes of 4.1 Students demonstrate an early explorers and describe the early understanding of the physical and human explorations of the Americas. (Early explorers to the Sonoma County Coast).

geographic features that define places 124 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX D 125 w objects can be and observe to w how Students kno Students kno

a. they of the materials described in terms paper) and cloth, made of (e.g., clay, are (e.g., color, properties their physical flexibility, texture, size, shape, weight, magnets, floating, sinking). to attraction hands-on activities). exhibits, (Tactile a. in describe similarities and differences of plants and behavior the appearance and animals (e.g., seed-bearing plants, and insects) (Plants and fish, birds, SHP). Ross animals at Fort Standard Set 2: Life sciences types of plants and animals 2. Different inhabit the earth. Standard Set 3: Earth Sciences and 3. Earth is composed of land, air, water. transformation of the American economy American economy of the transformation and political changing social and the in response States in the United conditions (Ranching, Revolution. the Industrial to Ross). at Fort farming timber harvesting, Standards Science Content of Education Board State The California Science Generation the Next adopted schools in public (NGSS) for Standards Ross Fort K-12. grades for 2013 September should align with and exhibits programs standards content the NGSS. The science 2013, prior to developed were here shown more For reference. be used for but may about NGSS, visit http://www. information cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/ngssintrod.asp. Kindergarten Standard Set 1: Physical science can be observed, of materials 1. Properties and predicted. measured, ation hat is known hat is known C, Spanish, RA yze the yze the divergent yze the divergent yze U.S. foreign policy foreign yze U.S.

ace the colonization, the mid-1800s and the

Students anal Students anal Students anal Students describe w Students tr Students understand the Students understand Students describe the cooper Students

Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 8.12 8.8 paths of the American people in the West to 1800 from Sale of Fort (RAC, faced. challenges they Ranching). Early Ross, 8.5 (US Relationship Republic. in the early Alta Spanish and Mexican Russians, to California). 6.1 studies of the archaeological through development and cultural physical early to era the Paleolithic of humankind from (Kashia, Coast revolution. the agricultural them). came before and those who Miwok, Grade Eight—United States History and Geography: Growth and Conflict 5.8 and settlement pat-terns immigration, 1789 to of the American people from on the the mid-1800s, with emphasis of effects of economic incentives, role and and political geography, the physical (Americans in systems. transportation and the merchants Boston Alta California, RAC). and Grade Six—World History Geography: Ancient Civilizations Mexican and American settlers). and American Mexican 5.4 and economic social, political, religious, in the colonial evolved institutions that American RAC, between (Relationship era. Alta and Mexican Colonies, Spanish California). 5.3 among the that existed and conflict the Indian Indians and between American (Interaction and the new settlers. nations Kashia and between a. Students know characteristics a. Students know rock, water, plants, of mountains, rivers, oceans, valleys, and soil provide many resources, deserts, and local landforms. (Geography including food, fuel, and building of Fort Ross SHP.) materials, that humans use. (Uses of resources at Fort Ross over time). b. Students know changes in weather occur from day to day and across seasons, affecting Earth and its Grade Three inhabitants. (Fort Ross SHP weather, historical accounts of weather.) Standard Set 3: Earth Sciences 3. Adaptations in physical structure or c. Students know how to identify behavior may improve an organism’s resources from Earth that are used in chance for survival. everyday life, and understand that many resources can be conserved. (Resources b. Students know examples of diverse at Fort Ross SHP.) life forms in different environments, such as oceans, deserts, tundra, forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Grade One (Environments at Fort Ross SHP.) Standard Set 2: Life Sciences 2. Plants and animals meet their needs in Grade Four different ways. Standard Set 2: Life sciences a. Students know different plants 3. Living organisms depend on one and animals inhabit different kinds of another and on their environment for environments and have external features survival. that help them thrive in different kinds of places. (Plants and animals at Fort a. Students know that in any Ross SHP). environment, some kinds of plants and animals survive well, some survive less Standard Set 3: Earth Sciences well, and some cannot survive at all. (Plants and Animals at Fort Ross SHP 3. Weather can be observed, measured, and changes over time.) and described.

a. Students know how to use simple Standard Set 5: Earth Sciences (Waves, tools (e.g., thermometer, wind vane) to Wind, Water, and Ice) measure weather conditions and record 5. Waves, wind, water, and ice shape and changes from day to day and across the reshape Earth’s land surface. seasons. (Use tools to measure weather at Fort Ross SHP, weather station). a. Students know some changes in the earth are due to slow processes, such as erosion, and some changes are due Grade Two to rapid processes, such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Standard Set 3: Earth Sciences (Earthquakes, coastal erosion at Fort 3. Earth is made of materials that have Ross SHP.) distinct properties and provide resources for human activities. b. Students know moving water erodes landforms, reshaping the land

126 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX D 127 w water running w water w how to explain explain to w how determine to w how w evidence of plate of plate w evidence w that earthquakes w major geologic Students kno Students kno Students kno Students kno Students kno Students kno

a. is the dominant process downhill in shaping the landscape, including events, such as earthquakes, volcanic volcanic such as earthquakes, events, result eruptions, and mountain building, Fault motions. (San Andreas plate from SHP.) Ross and Fort d. geology of California major features volcanoes) (including mountains, faults, (San Andreas tectonics. of plate in terms SHP.) Ross and Fort Fault e. and of an earthquake the epicenter of an earthquake that the effects know depending on the vary, region on any the distance of size of the earthquake, the local the epicenter, from the region and the construction in the geology, Ross and Fort Fault (San Andreas region. SHP.) a. the fit of the from is derived tectonics location of earthquakes, continents; the ridges; and and mid-ocean volcanoes, types, rock of fossils, the distribution zones. (San Andreas and ancient climatic SHP.) Ross and Fort Fault b. in the breaks sudden motions along are and and that volcano crust called faults magma locations where are fissures Fault (San Andreas the surface. reaches SHP.) Ross and Fort c. Standard Set 2: Shaping Earth’s Surface the by is reshaped 2. Topography the and soil and by of rock weathering of sediment. and deposition transportation understanding this concept: As a basis for 1. Plate tectonics accounts for important for accounts tectonics 1. Plate and major surface of Earth’s features events. geologic w the origin of the w the influence w water vapor in the vapor w water w most of Earth’s w most of Earth’s Students kno Students kno Students kno Students kno

that the ocean has on the weather that the ocean has on the weather plays cycle that the water and the role (Ocean-caused patterns. in weather SHP.) Ross at Fort weather b. e. their local communities. used by water Ross). at Fort resources (Water air moves from one place to another and one place to from air moves tiny are or clouds, which fog can form to or ice, and can fall of water droplets (Fog, hail, sleet, or snow. Earth as rain, in the processes and other natural rain, area). water is present as salt water in the as salt water is present water most of Earth’s cover oceans, which ocean-caused weather (Weather, surface. SHP.) Ross at Fort b. a. by taking it away from some places some places from taking it away by sand, silt, it as pebbles, and depositing (weathering, in other places and mud action, (Wave and deposition). transport, local streams of sediment from transfer the ocean). to Grade Six Standard Set 1: Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Structure Standard Set 4: Earth Sciences (Weather) the Sun heats Earth from 4. Energy that causing air movements unevenly, patterns. changing weather in result Grade Five Earth Sciences (Earth’s Standard Set 3: Water) the between Earth moves on 3. Water of processes the through oceans and land and condensation. evaporation Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort California’s landscape. (Effects of rivers a. Students know biodiversity is the and streams near Fort Ross SHP.) sum total of different kinds of organisms and is affected by alterations of habitats. b. Students know rivers and streams (Habitats and biodiversity at Fort Ross are dynamic systems that erode, SHP.) transport sediment, change course, b. Students know how to analyze recurring patterns. (Effects of rivers and changes in an ecosystem resulting from andstreams flood near their Fort banks Ross in SHP.) natural and changes in climate, human activity, introduction of nonnative species, or c. Students know beaches are changes in population size. (Changes to dynamic systems in which the sand is the ecosystems, plants and animals, and supplied by rivers and moved along the the effects of human activity). coast by the action of waves. (Effects of rivers and streams near the coast). in population size in an ecosystem are d. Students know earthquakes, c.determined Students by kno thew relative how fluctuations rates of birth, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and immigration, emigration, and death. (As this relates to plants, animals, and habitats. (Effects of earthquakes at Fort people at Fort Ross). floodsRoss). change human and wildlife Standard Set 3: Dynamic Earth Processes Standard Set 6: Resources 3. Plate tectonics operating over geologic 6. Sources of energy and materials differ in time have changed the patterns of land, amounts, distribution, usefulness, and the sea, and mountains on Earth’s surface. time required for their formation. d. Students know why and how a. Students know different natural earthquakes occur and the scales used to energy and material resources, including measure their intensity and magnitude. air, soil, rocks, minerals, petroleum, fresh (San Andreas Fault at Fort Ross SHP.) water, wildlife, and forests, and know how to classify them as renewable or Standard Set 9: California Geology nonrenewable. (Resources at Fort Ross SHP.) 9. The geology of California underlies the state’s wealth of natural resources as well b. Students know the natural origin as its natural hazards. of the materials used to make common objects. (Historic Kashia and RAC tools a. Students know the resources of and technology and uses of resources to major economic importance in California make them, ranching and farming at Fort and their relation to California’s geology. Ross). (Historic uses of natural resources at Fort Ross SHP.)

Grades Nine through Twelve b. Students know the principal natural hazards in different California Standard Set 6: Ecology regions and the geologic basis of those 6. Stability in an ecosystem is a balance between competing effects. As a basis for landslides, tsunamis at Fort Ross SHP.) understanding this concept: hazards. (Earthquakes, forest fires, c. Students know the importance

128 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX D 129 Concept b. Students need to know Concept b. Students need to know that methods used to extract, harvest, transport, and consume natural resources influence the geographic extent, composition, of biological diversity, and viability natural systems. Concept c. Students need to know that the expansion and operation of human communities influences the geographic extent, composition, biological diversity, and viability of natural systems. Concept d. Students need to know that the legal, economic, and political systems that govern the use and management of natural systems directly influence the geographic extent, composition, biological diversity, and viability of natural our economies and cultures. our economies to c. Students need Concept the quality, quantity, know that and of the goods and reliability provided by ecosystem services are directly affected natural systems those systems. by the health of Concept a. Students need to know to that direct and indirect changes natural systems due to the growth of human populations and their consumption rates influence the geographic extent, composition, of biological diversity, and viability natural systems.

• • • • • Principle II: People Influence Principle II: People Natural Systems and health functioning The long-term coastal, and freshwater, of terrestrial, their influenced by are marine ecosystems with human societies. relationships understanding this principle: As a basis for When developing content for for content When developing 3 Concept b. Students need to know that the ecosystem services provided by natural systems are essential to human life and to the functioning of Concept a. Students need to know that the goods produced by natural systems are essential to human life and to the functioning of our economies and cultures.

• • of water to society, the origins of the society, to of water and the water, fresh California’s need. and supply between relationship Ross, Fort at water of fresh (Importance today). programs conservation interpretive programs and services, the programs interpretive should consult the most current reader of this initiative. version and complete EEI principles were the most relevant Only included here. on Principle I: People Depend Natural Systems human The continuation and health of and of human communities and lives societies depend on the health of the essential that provide systems natural services. goods and ecosystem understanding this principle: As a basis for Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort In 2009, the state of California unveiled its unveiled California of In 2009, the state Initiative Environment and the Education bring to created (EEI). The curriculum was into education about the environment the primary and secondary classrooms million students throughout 6 over serving The EEI curriculum examines California. of and interdependence the interactions using systems human societies and natural Environmental a unique set of California Principles. Education and the Education Initiative Environmental systems. detrimental in their effect. Principle III: Natural Systems • Conceptand may c.be Students beneficial, need neutral, to or Change in Ways that People Benefit know that the capacity of natural from and can Influence systems to adjust to human-caused Natural systems proceed through cycles alterations depends on the nature of the system as well as the scope, and can alter. scale, and duration of the activity that humans depend upon, benefit from, and the nature of its byproducts. As a basis for understanding this principle: • Concept a. Students need to know Principle V: Decisions Affecting Resources and Natural Systems are that natural systems proceed Complex and Involve Many Factors through cycles and processes that are required for their functioning. Decisions affecting resources and natural systems are based on a wide range of • Concept b. Students need to know considerations and decision-making that human practices depend processes

and processes that operate within As a basis for understanding this principle: naturalupon and systems. benefit from the cycles • Concept c. Students need to know • Concept a. Students need to know that human practices can alter the the spectrum of what is considered cycles and processes that operate in making decisions about resources within natural systems. and natural systems and how those

• Concept b. Students need to know Principle IV: There is no Permanent factors influence decisions. or Impermeable Boundaries that the process of making decisions Prevent Matter from Flowing about resources and natural between Systems systems, and how the assessment The exchange of matter between natural of social, economic, political, and systems and human societies affects the environmental factors has changed long-term functioning of both. over time.

As a basis for understanding this principle: • Concept a. Students need to know that the effects of human activities on natural systems are directly related to the quantities of resources consumed and to the quantity and characteristics of the resulting byproducts. • Concept b. Students need to know that the byproducts of human activity are not readily prevented from entering natural systems

130 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX D 131 italicized and in parentheses after each after and in parentheses italicized the of brevity, the sake For standard. the to refer is used to Ross” “Fort term period. any to refer location and may (California Frameworks Curriculum June 10, Department of Education: 2013). http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/ cf/documents/histsocsciframe.pdf. 6/24/13. Accessed Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Endnotes are SHP Ross Fort for topics 1. Suggested All of Education, Board State 2. California 132 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX E 133 At each workshop, participants were were participants each workshop, At discuss to smaller groups into divided E2). (Table periods interpretive identified comment to around rotated were Groups down wrote Each group on each period. of interest stories questions, and topics, 330 comments each period. Over for of order by and ranked generated were importance. Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Two stakeholder workshops were held on held were workshops stakeholder Two 28, 2013. Approximately January 27 and the attended 20 people combined visitor SHP Ross the Fort for workshops (IPP). Plan Project Interpretive center the data that was Appendix E describes and how the workshops from generated categories: two into the comments fell Resources”. and “Natural “People” use in for is intended This information and interpretive exhibits future developing programs. one attend to invited were Stakeholders in January 2013. One workshops of two January 27, held on Sunday, was workshop Visitor Park Historic State Ross at the Fort p.m. 4:00 Another p.m. 1:00 to from Center January held on Monday, was workshop District 28, at the Diablo Vista and Marin 5:00 p.m. to CA, from Office in Petaluma, included members 8:00 p.m. Participants Park State California of the community, staff and Conservancy Ross staff, and Fort discussions and activities members. Group talk with people the opportunity to gave and their thoughts one another and record topics. several to responses input E1) provided (Table Participants topics, interpretive existing update to the and special events, programs, exhibits, and function within role center’s visitor these from gathered Information the park. topics develop meetings helped the team exhibits for 6), recommendations (Chapter 7), and the (Chapter and programs 9). (Chapter experience visitor proposed participants also provided workshop Many of this plan. comments on the final draft be interpretive some may In the future, developing members when planning team and programs. exhibits center visitor APPENDIX E: E: APPENDIX STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOPS Table E1. Participants Name Title Organization Bowen Lee Interpretive team volunteer Sea Otter Research and Conservation, Monterey Bay Aquarium Amy Lemmer Tribal representative and Choctaw Nation Native American volunteer Zoya Gradov Representative Russian Orthodox Community Billyrene Pinola Tribal representative and Kashia Tribal Representative Native American volunteer Fort Ross Conservancy Sarah Sweedler President and CEO Fort Ross Conservancy Staff and Board of Directors Sarjan Holt Operations manager Fort Ross Conservancy Staff Hank Birnbaum Program manager Fort Ross Conservancy Staff Susanna Barlow Interpreter, Fort Ross SHP Fort Ross Conservancy Staff and Salt Point SP Glenn Farris Secretary Fort Ross Conservancy Board of Directors Irina Dyatlovskaya Volunteer, Russian language Fort Ross Conservancy Advisory translator Committee Lynn Rudy Volunteer, Call family Fort Ross Conservancy Advisory representative Committee Susan Rudy Volunteer, Call family Fort Ross Conservancy Advisory representative Committee California State Parks Liz Burko State Park Superintendent IV Russian River District Jenny Donovan State Park Superintendent I, Russian River District Public Safety Denise Alexander Park Maintenance Supervisor Russian River District Andrea Mapes Park and Recreation Russian River District Specialist Michael Wisehart State Park Interpreter II Russian River District Edward Parkman Senior State Archaeologist Diablo Vista and Russian River Districts Todd Farcau Fort Ross SHP, Russian River District Brian Osborn ParkState MaintenancePark Peace Officer Worker I Fort Ross SHP, Russian River District Robin Wellman State Park Interpreter I Fort Ross SHP, Russian River District

134 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX E 135 1907-Present State State employees, visitors, partners, researchers, Kashia, Call Russian, and family descendants 1842-1906 Kashia, Benitz and Call family, Community members, Ranch visitors workers, and tourists Organization and Education Interpretation Division and Development Acquisition Division and Development Acquisition Division 1812-1841 Kashia, RAC Russians, employees, Native Alaskans, visitors Title State Park Interpreter III Interpreter Park State Interpreter Regional Specialist Interpreter Regional Specialist Pre-1812 California State State California Park Kashia, Southern Pomo, Coast Miwok Metini village Ross Colony Ranching Interpretive Periods and People and Periods Interpretive Category Name Carolyn Carolyn Schimandle Schulz Kathy Katie Metraux People Benitz and Call Settlement Kashia Russian- American (RAC) Company Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table E2. Table Category 1: People in most interested were Participants and individuals learning about the cultures over Ross at Fort and worked lived who about topics, learn to wanted time. They different and figures, historic events, perspective an individual’s from cultures using first person accounts, historic viewpoints. images, with contemporary “what questions like asked Participants was what like; Ross at Fort life daily was a Russian be a Kashia worker, to it like of a Commandant?” or the wife worker, in interested also were Participants people and places changed over how from a popular topic example, time. For the landscape how was the workshop time. This over changed and resources includes how people used the land and its resources and long-term impact to these uses. In addition, participants wanted to learn how people’s relationships and perceptions of each other changed, especially interactions between social classes and cultures. Finally, they wanted to know how people’s worldviews and ways of doing things changed. For instance, common questions were “how did people use the Russian buildings after the RAC left? When and why did people decide to preserve them?”

Table E3 lists the topics, questions, and stories of interest generated from the workshop that relates to people. The data is organized by cultural group and in chronological order, when possible.

Bold-faced topics received the most interest (ten or more votes).

Table E3. People TOPICS, QUESTIONS, AND STORIES How did people live? Leisure and lifestyle activities. Intermarriage, raising families, relationships, what was it like to be Creole (of mixed ancestry)? women’s stories ceremonial traditions, including birth and death neighborhoods-Sloboda, Native Alaskan village, Kashia village health/disease/small pox outbreak of 1837

(applies to all cultural all cultural (applies to Who went back to Alaska and Russia and who stayed in California? We are still here (Kashia, Russian, and ranchers) contemporary cultures and traditions groups) OVERALL OVERALL What was the workers' perspective?

136 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX E 137

Unangan, Kenai, Kodiak, Tlingit, Tanaina tribes Tlingit, Tanaina Kodiak, Kenai, Unangan, Ross Fort at experience Alaskan Native and methods of hunting, tools hunters—traditions, Alaskan equipment used and constructed Baidarkas—how hunting Sea otter Island station Farallon relationship Native Russian-Alaskan religion to relationship Alaskan Priests and Native New information about Bering Land bridge theories about Bering New information structures Kashia traditional tribal territory routes, size, trade population Historic look like? did it Metini village—what and tribal leadership Politics the land Seasonal uses of basketry and Economics—wealth beautiful time, especially over continue and arts—traditions Crafts basketry. objects behind cultural Uses and meanings contact European prior to Indigenous trade and Coast Miwok with Southern Pomo Relationship diversity there Was pre-Russian? What did the landscape look like and/or abundance of resources? arrived? the Russians before like their lives What were perspectives and Western Kashia origin stories—native Kashia and between relationships and interpersonal Family Europeans Coast Miwok/ Russians—both to reaction the native What was of each culture? mythology vs. Kashia history and present relationships—past Kashia-Russian and era, Ranching era, during RAC and experiences Kashia culture today Ross at Fort about Russians traditions Kashia oral language school, what Kashia language—usage and understanding, does the language sound like? and American settlements Russian to Kashia resistance change adaptation amidst great Cultural

NATIVE ALASKANS NATIVE KASHIA Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort POLITICS AND EVENTS Creation of the Russian American Company Russian expansion across Siberia and the Bering Expedition Long journey from Siberia to California Transportation by sea and land Etiquette for conducting trade(1812-1841) World trade routes Fur trade with China Expansion into America The importance of fur in Russian life Southern Sea Otter – hunting and overhunting Why here? Defensible space around the Fort, access to natural resources, land for ranching and farming, access to water Fort construction and neighborhoods Industry and trade at Fort Ross: shipbuilding, brickworks, tannery, metal works, soap works, and coopering Bodega Bay harbor and warehouse Company agriculture (wheat, rye, barley), orchards (apple, pear, peach), and family gardens Russian inventions RUSSIAN-AMERICAN COMPANY RUSSIAN-AMERICAN Food production- farming practices, windmills, ranching Farallon Islands station Relationship and trade between Spanish and Mexican California and the Missions Building of Sonoma and San Rafael missions RAC windmills- location and reasons windmills were not successful Shipbuilding Getting supplies from the Hudson Bay Company to run the colonies Sale to John Sutter (why did he want it?) The abandonment of Alaskan colonies in 1867

138 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX E 139 promyshlenniki (employees) promyshlenniki

RANCHERS and Benitz, George William O. and stories- their lives families, Ranch (Irish). James Dixon Mrs. Fairfax, Call, Laura ranches? other California to compare does this ranch How Kashia laborers Ross) purchased Sutter (after What changed physically and infrastructure. buildings, orchard, uses of the Russian Adaptive War. and American Civil Gold Rush during the Ross at Fort Ranchers Boom years Russian love story love Russian Alta California into and assimilation FAC from of defectors Story (Joseph Balcoff). Gold Rush and the California Rotchev sold to it was after employees Fort the Russian What happened to Sutter? land as holy Ross consider Fort Russians Orthodox during time. Chapel function and Chapel use over Cemetery Russian era. Russian the with each other and and Kashia today of Russian Relationship park. peoples? Are and local of the Russian the descendants Who are sold to was Ross Fort go after did they Where still there? they John Sutter? community today of Russian Role Relations and New Russian Ross Fort road? the Old Russian is Where OFFICIALS, EMPLOYEES, AND IMPORTANT VISITORS AND IMPORTANT EMPLOYEES, OFFICIALS, Commandants Voznesenski, Tikhanov, Kestzomitinou, People- their wives. and Rotchev Resanov, Konchita and E. Gagarina, E. Kuskova, stories: Women’s and visiting sea captains scientists, artists, Naturalists, California their and journals about California to visitors Russian and others) (Khlebnikov the Kashia? from learned What did the Russians traditions artwork, music, dancing, arts- folk cultural Russian Ross society at Fort Russian officials and of RAC life Daily

COMPANY

RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RUSSIAN-AMERICAN COMPANY RUSSIAN-AMERICAN Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Industry and commerce—farming, orchard, cattle ranching, dairying, lumber, shipping. 1876 roads Ranch Era deterioration of Russian buildings Hotel and tourism Dog hole ports Shipwrecks and salvage- S.S. Pomona, barns, other structures Monterey Rock and S.S. Pomona From private to public ownership Story of road and trails linking Fort Ross and the rest of California. Link between Chinese workers and Black Bart. Highway 1 runs through Fort Ross Rural school and community life 1906 earthquake—what happened to the buildings? How were they documented? Park history—How did Fort Ross become a California State Park? Who were the people and organizations that made it happen? What part did history buffs play in getting the Fort as a park? Historic preservation and reconstruction efforts. The rebuilding of compound buildings through the park era- how they have changed. Decades of restoration (is there funding for all?) Chapel restoration in 1915 and 1970 and others. Why did the Chapel burn? Road through Fort Ross (Highway 1) and closure. Why was the road RUSSIAN-AMERICAN COMPANY RUSSIAN-AMERICAN moved?

barracks, Rotchev house, garden fences. ConservationInfo about fur andwarehouse restoration (Magazin), programs- Kuskov elimination house, Officials’ of non-native species (feral pigs, cypress and eucalyptus trees, non-native grasses like pampas grass. Partnerships—cooperating associations, Russian partnerships,

Park stewardship and public support significant donors (FRIA, FRC, Renova, VIP contributions). Role of the Russian Orthodox bishops/priests at Fort Ross SHP. Ties with Russian historical collections, scholars, and international governments. Programs and events—ELP, living history programs, Bicentennial, trip to Russia 2012, picnics, weddings, Call family reunions. Picnics, weddings, reunions

140 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX E 141

Fort Ross Archaeology projects 1987-2008 (UC Berkeley, Sonoma Sonoma (UC Berkeley, 1987-2008 projects Archaeology Ross Fort of excavation studies, Cemetery and others.) University, State neighborhoods. American and Native Alaskan, Native Russian, (sites) archaeology to Threats on paper? or is it being captured is this still the way, tradition- Oral and letters, journals, Russian (e.g. Ross on Fort history Written reports). abalone season watching, whale birding, fishing, uses: birding, Other recreational hiking. kayak, photography, Ross? of Fort What is the future

COMPANY RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RUSSIAN-AMERICAN Category 2: Natural Resources learn to participants wanted Workshop resources, natural Ross’s about Fort more and geologic processes, such as natural plants and animals, marine and terrestrial time (table E4). them over and changes to abalone, and fur seals were Sea otters, people and many often mentioned quite at history using the sea otter’s suggested larger tell to as a lens in which Ross Fort using Other suggestions included stories. exhibits that reinforced activities hands-on on this topic. 1, participants were in Category As noted people’s in learning about how interested plants Ross’s Fort affected have activities posed questions and animals. Participants Kashia, such as, “What changes did the the to make and CSP Ranchers, RAC, people’s have How land and resources? resources natural attitudes towards time? and over cultures between differed or protect to doing now we What are these resources?” restore Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort Table E4. Natural Resources TOPICS, QUESTIONS, AND STORIES Terrestrial and marine ecosystems and habitats Terrestrial and marine flora and fauna Watershed Topography

Geology and the San Andreas Fault (Fort Ross SHP has a historic fence that showsNatural effect and geologic of 1906 earthquake).processes (weather, climate, ocean influences) Fur seal, abalone, sea urchin, salmon, condors, and grizzly bears; their natural habitat and effects from human activities. Sea otter natural history, adaptations to marine environment, importance to ecosystem, sentinel species for near shore environment, still threatened species and why and how people can help them make a comeback. Health of land and the ocean Changes to the terrestrial and marine environment, landscape, plants and animals, ecosystems, and habitat. How are abalone, sea urchins, and sea otter connected? How do changes to one affect the other? How people have used the land, landscape, plants and animals, and buildings. Changes in people’s attitudes to the land and resources. Exploitation and extirpation -- how natural resources have been exploited (fur trade, lumber industry, agriculture, fishing, sport diving). Food sources- native and introduced plants and animals grown and raised for food.

to Natural Resources Natural to Climate change and affects to Fort Ross Human induced change Conservation programs–Elimination of non-native species (cypress, eucalyptus, and pampas grass) and native restoration programs. Resource Resource

Management SensitiveExpansion and of sanctuaryprotected FMLPA’sspecies–butterfly (Federal Marine Life Protection Act)

142 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX F 143 a. Those who arrived a. Those who construction b. Initial Fort Siberia across expansion a. Russian b. The promyshlenniki .of fur in Russian c. The importance life with China trade d. Fur a. Bering expedition companies private b. Exploitation by of the Russian-American c. Creation Company otter hunting of California d. early supply of Alaskan a. The problems 1806 at San Francisco, b. Rezanov and security a. Seeking shelter Bay at Bodega b. A harboring of Ross advantages c. The natural a. The Aleuts hunting b. Sea otter Islands station c. The Farallon of the otter d. Extermination a. Shipbuilding b. Other manufacturing raising a. Stock and orchard b. Gardens and agricultural c. Wheat growing expansion 1. Russian account of the founding, 1812 of the founding, account 1. Russian 2. Fur America 3. Expansion into 4. Food 5. Locating a base in California hunting 1. Fur 2. Industry Subtheme II: The Russian II: The Russian Subtheme of Ross Occupation Came They A. Why Did B. What They production 3. Food a. ocean and cove plants and animals a. ocean and cove on land b. plant and animal life Metini 1. Tribal territory 1. Tribal size and movements 2. Population 3. Metini village resources 1. Using shelter resources 2. Using food 3. Using clothing resources leadership 1. Politics—tribal relationships 2. Society--family and basketry 3. Economics--wealth tradition 4. The oral Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort B. Meaning of the Ross site for the Kashia for site B. Meaning of the Ross elements of Kashia culture C. Selected 1985 Interpretive Themes 1985 Interpretive Themes for Exhibit Hall to Responds Ross Unifying Theme: Fort Changing Human Needs Subtheme I: The Kashia Occupation of A. Defining the Kashia Pomo Appendix F highlights the interpretive interpretive the F highlights Appendix center visitor first of the and layout themes and mid-1980s in the installed exhibits, exhibits made to changes documents the cooperating the time. In 2002-2003, over district staff and association, park, for content new interpretive developed room. hall and audio-visual exhibit the several over placed were panels Interpretive exhibit and several panels older interpretive added. were cases APPENDIX F: VISITOR VISITOR F: APPENDIX AND EXHIBITS CENTER THEMES, 1985-PRESENT d. Flour and bread a. Comparing Russian and American e. The Kashia agricultural labor force experiences at Ross 4. Trade with the Californios B. The Fort in the post-Russian era 5. Russian Society at Fort Ross 1. Owners in residence a. The Commandant’s Kuskov a. William O. Benitz b. The promyshlenniki b. George W. Call c. Selected elements of the Russian 2. Salvage Period lifestyle 3. Adaptive uses 4. The road through Ross ii. Kashia-Russian relationship i. the population profile iii. Leisure Interpretive Themes for iv. Cemetery the Multi-purpose Room C. Why They Left Unifying Theme: Fort Ross Responds to 1. External Forces Changing Human Needs a. rivalry with the Hispanics b. rivalry with the British Empire Subtheme IV. The Park Era c. pressure from the Americans A. The Restoration of Fort Ross 2. Internal Forces 1. Ranch Era deterioration a. balance sheet imperialism 2. from private to public ownership b. lack of government commitment 3. Decades of restoration c. social factors a. Blockhouses 3. Selling Out b. Walls a. supplies from the Hudson Bay c. Chapel Company d. Rotchev House b. sale to John Sutter c. spare parts for New Helvetia f. Kuskov House e. Officials' barracks d. the abandonment of Alaska, 1867 g. Road closing B. Serving the Needs of the Present Subtheme III: The Ranch Era 1. Kashia celebrations A. Resources for American use 2. Chapel use 1. Owners of Ross in the post-Russian 3. Living history era 4. Other special events: picnics 2. Farming 3. Lumber and wood products 5. Public associations and Fort Ross SHP 4. Cattle and dairying 5. Orchard 6. The Kashia in the ranch era 7. Commerce and shipping 8. Prosperity out of disappointment:

144 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan APPENDIX F 145 CSP 090- Main exhibit hall, Main exhibit Multi-purpose room exhibit, Multi-purpose room 24419 Figure F2. Figure Figure F1. Figure CSP 090-P76906 Fort Ross SHP Visitor Center Interpretation Project Plan Project Interpretation Center SHP Visitor Ross Fort 2004 Exhibits 2004 Ross and Fort Park State California new staff installed Conservancy cases in the exhibit panels and interpretive multi-purpose room hall and main exhibit F2). F1 and in 2004 (figures main hall in the exhibits Additional from new information revealed of the investigations archaeological and the Cemetery Orthodox Russian Interpretive Village sites. Alaskan Native the Russian- upon panels expanded and colonial trade, American Company, at and worked lived of people who lives and windmill technology, Ross, Colony ranchlands. to transition in the multi-purpose Changing exhibits especially Alaskans, describe Native room traditions. and cultural hunting technology that Museum objects include models clothing, watercraft, describe hunting gear, have changing exhibits Other and basketry. and traditions. culture Russian highlighted