NorCal History will Come Alive at Lava Beds’ Living History Event

Press release provided from Lava Beds National Monument:

History will come alive on Saturday, May 11th, during the Lava Bed National Monument’s annual Timeline Living History event.

This very special event highlights the storied history of the Tule Lake Basin.

Groups of local volunteers, including the Cascade Civil War Society and the Mount Mazama Mountain Men, will join National Park Service staff and other volunteers in portraying different time periods from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Visitors may view demonstrations of traditional activities while getting a glimpse into one of several important periods in the history of the Monument and the Tule Lake Basin.

Historical stations will be open for public visits from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday. The following will be located at the park’s north end—an encampment of fur traders and pioneers at Captain Jack’s Stronghold, and a Modoc War-era Army encampment and blacksmith’s shop at Gillem’s Camp. Two stations representing early 20th century explorations and homesteading will be located at Mushpot Cave and near the Lava Beds Visitor Center. Travel through history as you travel through the Monument.

Times for the presentations are as follows:

• 10:00 AM: Learn how pioneers cooked and survived along the Oregon Trail at Captain Jack’s Stronghold.   
• 11:00 AM: at Captain Jack’s Stronghold, fur traders will demonstrate how to start a fire, throw a knife and give you a peek into life as a fur trader.
• 1:00 PM: J.D. Howard will lead visitors through Mushpot Cave, while discussing early caving at Lava Beds.
• 3:00 PM: Army soldiers will commemorate those who died on both sides of the Modoc War at the Gillem’s Camp cemetery, then lower the camp flag.

National Park Service staff invite you to experience a glimpse into local history. Contact Aimee Murillo at (530) 667-8112, for more information.