VANCOUVER, WA (June 12, 2018) — The Historic Trust is seeking 100 dedicated volunteers to lend a hand at one of Vancouver’s most iconic summer events, Vancouver’s Fireworks Spectacular at Fort Vancouver on Wednesday, July 4th. Last year the event was attended by more than 35,000 people.
Individuals, service organizations, corporate groups, and all others are encouraged to volunteer to help at the gates, volunteer check-in, first aid station, and lost child booth. Potential volunteers can learn more about volunteer roles and fill out an application online at www.thehistorictrust.org/vancouvers-fireworks-spectacular-volunteer.
Volunteers may request certain jobs and shifts on the application. The Historic Trust may not be able to accommodate all requests, but every effort will be made to ensure each volunteer helps with an enjoyable activity. For questions, please contact The Historic Trust at 360.992.1800 or email volunteer@thehistorictrust.org.
“Volunteers are crucial to the success of the Independence Day celebration. Without them, it would be impossible for our small staff to produce and manage this popular community event,” said Mike True, President & CEO of The Historic Trust. “Not only can volunteers enjoy the event as spectators, they will have pride in knowing they are part of the 50+ year tradition of fireworks at Pearson Field.”
“Watching the Fourth of July fireworks show at Fort Vancouver has been a longtime family tradition for many folks, including me,” said Columbia Credit Union President and CEO Steve Kenny. “Columbia Credit Union has been proudly serving Vancouver residents for 65 years and giving back to the community has always been a tradition of ours. We’re pleased to serve as the presenting sponsor for Vancouver’s Fireworks Spectacular and to share this wonderful gift with others.”
Volunteer shifts are just a few hours long, after a short training session prior to event day. All volunteers receive a Vancouver’s Fireworks Spectacular T-shirt, volunteer parking pass ($10 value), and snacks and water at the event.
For more information about Vancouver’s Fireworks Spectacular visit www.thehistorictrust.org.
VANCOUVER, WA, June 7— On Thursday June 14th, celebrate Flag Day with the community at the 24th annual Flag Day at Fort Vancouver, a free family event presented by The Historic Trust and Davidson & Associates Insurance representing Pemco Insurance. The celebration begins 5pm at The Bandstand at Fort Vancouver National Site, across from the Grant House, 1101 Officers Row.
The Flag Day ceremony will include a presentation of the colors by the 142 FW Base Honor Guard, National Anthem performed by Northwest Harmony Chorus, raising of the Garrison flag (the largest size American flag used by the army) by the National Parks Service, US History Quiz (Sunset Elementary 5th Grade Students vs. Clark County Mayors), and the annual Clark County Mayors’ Patriotic Tie Contest.
Ceremony is followed by patriotic kids’ activities including learning proper flag etiquette, singing patriotic songs, mastering marching, touring a historic landmark, and coloring Washington state symbols. Activities are free and open to the public, and Brownie Girl Scouts have the opportunity to earn their Celebrating Community badge by completing the activities. Pre-registration required to earn badge, visit https://thehistorictrust.org/girl-scout-flag-day-badge-registration-form/ to register.
Flag Day at Fort Vancouver is a part of The Historic Trust’s Celebrate Freedom program, a series of festive and educational events and programs aimed at inspiring all generations and strengthening community values of leadership, public service, patriotism and lifelong learning. The Historic Trust’s Celebrate Freedom program includes favorite community events like Vancouver’s Fireworks Spectacular on the 4th of July, The Veterans’ Parade, The Marshall Public & Youth Leadership Awards, and Marshall Lectures.
“I have had the pleasure of attending the Flag Day celebration for the past 12 years” says The Historic Trust President and CEO Mike True. “It is truly moving seeing veterans, public servants, and the community come together on Flag Day every year to celebrate our flag and inspire patriotism in our youth.”
In addition to sponsoring Flag Day at Fort Vancouver, Davidson & Associates Insurance is holding a free community Flag Exchange for the third year running. “Flag Day is such an important way to celebrate our country and Vancouver’s strong commitment to patriotism,” said Bruce Davidson, President of sponsor Davidson & Associates Insurance. “We are honored to offer new “stars and stripes” to our residents and to sponsor Flag Day events at Fort Vancouver on June 14.”
June 11-15, 8am to 5pm, residents can exchange their old US flag for a new 3’ x 5’ flag at the Davidson office, 610 Esther Street, Suite 101 in downtown Vancouver. New flags are available while supplies last, Davidson will accept all old US flags for retirement. Exchanged flags should be removed from poles and dried if wet. Fort Vancouver District Boy Scouts of America will perform proper flag retirement ceremonies for all exchanged flags. For more information on the Flag Exchange, contact Davidson & Associates Insurance at 360-514-9550.
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About The Historic Trust | The Historic Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, celebration, and preservation of the Southwest Washington community's history. Learn more at www.thehistorictrust.org.
(VANCOUVER, Wash. May 31, 2018) – Tonight in a public presentation, The Historic Trust detailed their stewardship of Providence Academy and vision for its future before Marathon Acquisition & Development revealed their updated site redevelopment plan shaped by the community's feedback. “The turnout tonight is truly indicative of how much the community cares about the Providence Academy site,” stated Mike True, CEO & President of The Historic Trust.
True kicked off the evening by outlining The Historic Trust’s recently-completed $2.1 million renovation addressing Providence Academy’s most pressing needs and illustrating The Trust’s vision of the Academy as a center of community activity where modern-day use merges with history. True explained The Historic Trust seeks to sell the west end of the property to a developer to create a mixed-use urban campus in service of The Trust’s vision of an active Providence Academy site. Proceeds of the sale will pay off the site’s purchase debt and put The Trust in the financial position to preserve and renovate the Providence Academy building. In addition to an estimated $5.5 million from the sale, Marathon’s planned development will invest an estimated $3 million in bringing the site up to current code standards and improve its safety.
After True’s presentation, Aaron Wigod of Marathon Acquisition & Development explained how their development design team revised their building plans based on feedback from the public, stakeholders, the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission (CCHPC), City of Vancouver, and recommendations from the Academy Advisory Team. “We took the feedback provided by community members and experts very seriously as we revised our renderings. We realize what is built here will be part of this community for a long time and we want to make sure it fits with what we hear the public wants,” said Aaron Wigod.
Marathon’s changes to the new buildings include improving the view corridor from the corner of C Street and Evergreen by moving Building A back 16 feet and increasing the public plaza by roughly 1,300 SF; adding more red brick to the development on Building A above the East and West lobby entrances and in the site’s hardscaping; incorporating more of Providence Academy’s decorative elements by adding concrete “faux-stone” sills to the storefront windows, changing the balcony railings traditional black vertical steel pickets, and arching all lobby entrance awnings and the plaza canopy; and improving the C Street view corridor by changing the pathways to red brick and adding interpretative art.
Marathon will enter a formal process with the City of Vancouver as they make the necessary applications for the proposed development. Updates will be provided to the community as the project continues to evolve.
The renderings shown at tonight’s presentation are available on The Trust’s website: https://thehistorictrust.org/providence-academy/
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About The Historic Trust: The Historic Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, celebration, and preservation of our community's history. Learn more at thehistorictrust.org.
About Marathon: The Marathon family of companies is comprised of three vertically integrated entities specializing in development, construction, and management of multi-family real estate. Marathon’s control of every facet of a development provides a unique ability to manage quality and cost. As a long-term holder Marathon is motivated to build high quality apartments that enrich communities. Marathon was formed in 1979 as an affiliate of Simpson Housing, a large multi-state apartment development company. Since inception Marathon has developed, constructed, and managed thousands of apartments and ancillary commercial space.
VANCOUVER, WA (May 29, 2018) — This year is all about a bigger, brighter BOOM! End your Independence Day with a BANG at Vancouver’s Fireworks Spectacular! Pack a snack and a blanket, come to the Fort, and stake out your spot to watch the biggest fireworks show in the region.
The general public will be able to “celebrate freedom for free” this year on the 4th of July, with no admission charge to Vancouver’s Fireworks Spectacular at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site presented by Columbia Credit Union. It will be “all about the fireworks,” says The Historic Trust.
“With the new City-wide ban on retail fireworks, the City of Vancouver is pleased to support the Fireworks Spectacular to help preserve fireworks as part of annual Independence Day traditions," said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. While in the past this was a full day event, this year attendees are encouraged to come in the evening and enjoy the biggest, brightest fireworks show in years. We recommend community members start arriving after 6 pm in anticipation of a spectacular fireworks show beginning at 10:05 pm. Visitors should be aware that there will be no food vendor services on site at this year’s event. Visitors are encouraged to either eat before coming to the site, or to bring their own picnic dinner for the event.
During the day, visitors can explore the attractions at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Tour The Historic Trust’s Marshall House and Providence Academy; explore the National Park Service’s Fort and Pearson Air Museum; or check out the gift shop, bookstore, historic art, rotating exhibits, and theater at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Visitor Center.
“After conducting an assessment of the event’s structure and costs, in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the National Park Service, and reviewing feedback from participant surveys, The Trust recognized that the fireworks show is the element most valued by the community. We’re focusing on that - giving our audience what they want most,” said Trust President & CEO Mike True.
“The Trust is committed to a tradition that began more than 50 years ago and is staging the region’s largest and most memorable fireworks displays,” said True. The fireworks will launch up to 500 feet high, cover a radius of 500 feet wide, and feature unique special effects. The 2018 display will once again be staged from Pearson Air Field at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and synchronized to music.
“Watching the Fourth of July fireworks show at Fort Vancouver has been a longtime family tradition for many folks, including me,” said Columbia Credit Union President and CEO Steve Kenny. “Columbia Credit Union has been proudly serving Vancouver residents for 65 years and giving back to the community has always been a tradition of ours. We’re pleased to serve as the presenting sponsor for Vancouver’s Fireworks Spectacular and to share this wonderful gift with others.”
Getting to the event is convenient with help from C-Tran. Hop on one of C-Tran’s free shuttles running every 15 minutes from two stops: Fisher’s Landing Transit Center on SE 162nd Street, and the 99th Street Transit Center. Shuttles begin free service to the fireworks display between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Return service will be available immediately following the fireworks show.
Paid parking lots will be available to the east and west of Fort Vancouver National Site and all downtown metered parking is free for the holiday. ADA parking is free onsite along 5th Street for those with a valid ADA permit.
“Vehicle access will be restricted beginning at 8 a.m. and entry gates will be in place. Bags will be checked all day,” said Event Director Amy VanCamp, “but we encourage people to come after 6 pm.” Donations will be collected at the gates from those who wish to contribute to the event, with a portion of all proceeds supporting the Lower Columbia Veterans Coalition, a collective made up of the Community Military Appreciation Coalition (CMAC), Vancouver Barracks Military Association (VBMA), Combat Veterans International Chapter 9 (CVI), Buffalo Soldiers – Moses Williams Pacific Northwest Chapter (Buffalo Soldiers), and Special Forces Association (SFA).
This event would not be possible without the generous financial support of sponsors. The Historic Trust and the City of Vancouver thank presenting sponsor Columbia Credit Union; event media partners KGW, 98.7 The Bull, Comcast, and The Columbian; and community sponsors C-TRAN, Waste Connections, AMR, and Vancouver Mall.
For more information please visit https://thehistorictrust.org/calendar/vancouvers-fireworks-spectacular/.
(VANCOUVER, Wash. May 24, 2018) – The public is invited to attend a presentation and open house hosted by The Historic Trust and Marathon Acquisition & Development on Thursday, May 31, 2018. The presentation will detail The Historic Trust’s stewardship of Providence Academy, The Trust’s vision for the site’s future, and Marathon Acquisition & Development’s updated site redevelopment plans.
Mike True, President and CEO of The Historic Trust, will detail the considerations of preserving Providence Academy and redeveloping the site. Learn about how Marathon Acquisition & Development was selected and the public engagement process The Trust and Marathon’s development team have engaged in to inform the redevelopment plan.
Aaron Wigod of Marathon Acquisition & Development will share the design philosophy and updated project plans made through the recommendations of the Academy Advisory Team. These recommended changes are the result of The Trust’s extensive community outreach process including feedback from the community, stakeholders, the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission (CCHPC), and the City of Vancouver.
After the presentation, the public will have the opportunity to engage with The Historic Trust and Marathon's development team on the updated project plans.
Since acquisition of the 7-acre Providence Academy site in 2015, The Historic Trust has worked to preserve the Academy building and position the site for redevelopment. The Trust has made significant progress in renovating the Providence Academy building through its recent $2.1 million exterior building renovation. To achieve The Trust’s long-term vision for the site, it has extensively engaged with the development community to prepare a program to redevelop the site into a mixed-use urban campus. The Trust selected Marathon Acquisition & Development based on a shared vision and aligned principles.
The Historic Trust has engaged the community in the Providence Academy site redevelopment project through stakeholder engagement interviews; the April 17, 2018 public open house; creation of the Academy Advisory Team that developed the recommendations for plan revisions based on feedback from the public, stakeholders, the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission (CCHPC) and the City of Vancouver; and the upcoming presentation and open house.
For more information about the Providence Academy redevelopment project visit thehistorictrust.org/providence-academy.
What: Updated Providence Academy Redevelopment Presentation & Open House
Where: Providence Academy, 400 East Evergreen Boulevard, Vancouver, WA
When: Thursday, May 31, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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About The Historic Trust: The Historic Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, celebration, and preservation of our community's history. Learn more at thehistorictrust.org.
About Marathon: The Marathon family of companies is comprised of three vertically integrated entities specializing in development, construction, and management of multi-family real estate. Marathon’s control of every facet of a development provides a unique ability to manage quality and cost. As a long-term holder Marathon is motivated to build high quality apartments that enrich communities. Marathon was formed in 1979 as an affiliate of Simpson Housing, a large multi-state apartment development company. Since inception Marathon has developed, constructed, and managed thousands of apartments and ancillary commercial space.
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