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Mission Statement

"The purpose of the Fort Stevenson Foundation is to bring together those people interested in the historical, natural resources and interpretive aspects of the original Fort Stevenson Dakota Territory military fort, from 1867-1897."

History

The Fort Stevenson Foundation was organized in 1993. Fort Stevenson State Park's manager and a group of individuals in the Garrison area were brought together who had an interest in the original Fort Stevenson Dakota Territory (D.T.) and had a deep desire to preserve the history of the fort. Many of the charter foundation members had vivid memories of the original fort site before it was inundated by Lake Sakakawea.

Membership

Membership in the Fort Stevenson Foundation is available for an annual contribution or on a lifetime basis. More information can be found in the Fort Stevenson Foundation brochure. Meetings are held monthly on the second Thursday of the month.

Current Projects

The Fort Stevenson Foundation is essential in two events at the park. Fort Stevenson Frontier Military Days are held annually the fourth weekend in June. The foundation also hosts guided tours of the Guardhouse during Garrison's Dickens Village Festival in December.

Future Projects

Install interactive displays in Guardhouse Interpretive Center.

Project history

The primary objective of the Fort Stevenson Foundation was to reconstruct a likeness of the original Guardhouse in Fort Stevenson State Park to be an interpretive center for the history of the fort. This building was originally at the entrance of frontier Fort Stevenson Dakota Territory. This project was completed in 2002, including interpretive displays. Interpretive displays were placed inside the Guardhouse to tell the story of the fort, Native Americans of the area and also General deTrobriand, first commander at the fort. His artwork and journal writings, which were published in book form "Military Life in Dakota", were done while he was at the fort. All of General deTrobriand’s art work that he completed while at the fort is on display in the Guardhouse. "Military Life in Dakota" is known by historians as the best firsthand account of military life in Dakota Territory and has been republished by the foundation and is for sale in the Guardhouse Gift Shop.

Contact information

Fort Stevenson Foundation 
1252A 41st Ave NW 
Garrison, ND 58540 
701.337.5576 
fssp@nd.gov