Fort Union’s Rendezvous thrives amid staffing challenges

FORT UNION, N.D. (KFYR) - Hiring freezes across National Park Service tourism sites have left staff stretched thin, creating challenges for organizing special events.

But at Fort Union, staff and volunteer support has made all the difference.

The Rendezvous is Fort Union’s largest annual event.

Over the course of five days, several historians bring the 1800s to life, reenacting when trappers and traders gathered at the post to exchange goods and furs.

“When you get to really engage all the senses, it really helps to add to that experience and you walk away kinda like, ‘ok’. You get a small little snapshot of what things might have been like while the fort was in operation,” said Brandon Delvo, Fort Union seasonal interpretation park ranger.

The Rendezvous was initially canceled in April due to a shortage of staff. However, after the cancellation was announced, National Park Service staff and volunteers stepped in.

“It is just exciting to see everyone come together and they all fill different roles. We have volunteers scattered throughout the camp that are giving presentations to the public about different aspects of the fur trade and of life out here in the 1800s. And we have others who just hangout around the fire and visit,” said Megan Halvorson, Fort Union Association Executive Director.

National Park Service rangers have a long-standing tradition of coming together to make events like this possible.

“They reached out to me from Grand Portage, but they also reached out to Badlands, Teddy Roosevelt, and Devils Tower. You are able to grab rangers from everywhere. And sometimes the other parks will call us and say, ‘We need extra rangers to help out on this day.’ So because we are all National Park Service Rangers we are all able to come out and assist the other sites,” explained Karl Kostner, Grand Portage National Monument park ranger.

An additional 85 volunteers helped with the event. Leif Halvorson, Fort Union park ranger, said volunteers often start out as visitors.

“They watch a demonstration and they go up and they get to interact with the presenter and ask questions and engage in that. You see that spark. They will come back and sometimes they become involved and we see that happen over the years and they become volunteers,” added Halvorson.

Many of those volunteers go on to serve for years.

“We love this place, it is not just a place to come and learn. It’s a place of fellowship and friendship. We have built lifelong friendships. 13 to 14 years ago when we first came here, I knew them by their names and now I call them brother, I call them sister. I mean we are like a giant family,” said Terry Madden, volunteer.

Volunteers like Madden play a vital role in preserving the history of Fort Union.

This year marked the 43rd anniversary of the Fort Union Rendezvous.