Where & When:
Fort Ross State Historic Park
19005 Coast Hwy
Jenner, CA 95450
Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM (PDT)
Event Details:
In 1814, the Russians at Fort Ross began their orchard by planting a peach tree. They and the ranchers who followed planted trees and harvested fruit from the site for over 150 years, and a number of historic trees still survive today.
In celebration of the historic Fort Ross orchard’s 200th anniversary, Fort Ross Conservancy is hosting a conference on orchards and orchard management. Lectures by experts from the National Park Service and California State Parks will discuss the history of orchards, historic orchard care, and tree preservation. A tour of the Fort Ross orchard will follow, with an opportunity to discuss recent management at the site.
The Fort Ross orchard was planted by the Russians in 1814 and several trees from the mid 1800s are still living, including two Russian-era cherry trees. This conference celebrates the 200th anniversary of the historic orchards at Fort Ross. Conference speakers include:
- Susan Dolan, Park Cultural Landscapes Program Manager with National Park Service, will provide an overview of the history of orchards, and discuss basic techniques in orchard stabilization,
- Jan Wooley, Historic Preservationist with California State Parks, will discuss orchards and ongoing work within the California State Parks System,
- Susan Rudy, Fort Ross Conservancy Advisor and lead orchard volunteer, will describe the history and ongoing care of the Fort Ross orchard,
- Amigo Bob Cantisano (tentative) will discus the Felix Gillet Historic Orchard Project. This organization identifies, preserves, and propagates the best varieties of fruit and nut trees still thriving in the mining camps, farms, homesteads and towns of the Sierra that were introduced by Felix Gillet, of Nevada City, Calfiornia, in 1871.
Schedule for the Day
- 10am – 1pm Lecture/Presentations in the Fort Ross Visitor Center auditorium
- 1:30-2:30 Lunch at the orchard
- 2:30-3:30 Historic Fort Ross Orchard tour
- 4pm Optional tour of the Fort Ross Historic Compound.
Special event fees apply:
$10 per person for conference and historic orchard tour.
*plus* California State Parks entrance fee of $8 per car when parking at Fort Ross. (Please carpool!)
Optional boxed lunch delivered to the orchard: $15/ person, advanced purchase only.
Or you are welcome to bring your own picnic lunch!
For more information on the Fort Ross historic orchard visit the Orchard webpage.
Link: www.fortross.org
Tickets & event details available at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-200-years-of-the-historic-fort–ross-orchard-tickets-10786062403
All photos by Paul C. Miller, courtesy of Fort Ross Conservancy
Map courtesy of Fort Ross Conservancy
