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The Ft. Washita Rendezvous showcased how the people lived back in those times. They also had a canon replica for guests to enjoy. Tom Stewart
The Fort Washita Annual Rendezvous at the Historic Fort Washita site in the Chickasaw Nation was held March 29 through April 2, 2023. Once again, it was a great event with many folks and vendors in attendance from all over the territories and state. The event depicts a close model of how folks may have lived over eighteen decades ago.
The Rendezvous included classic Chickasaw stomp dance demonstrations and the historic Chickasaw corn and pork dish Pashofa. Many participants set up camp complete with time period appropriate tents, cooking facilities, clothing, furniture, tools, and there was even a few Native American Tee Pees to really authenticate the living shelters of that period.
Theaccuratereenactment of the Civil War cannon most definitely drew the visitors’ attention as the blast echoed throughout the valleys of the Washita River bottom. Many participants had live displays showing how folks would have made needed items and wears.
These displays included cooking and food preparation techniques, storytelling, stick ball, squirrel stick/ chunk, shooting practice (musket, bow, hawk, and knife), a complete blacksmith shop, and many handmade gifts and items. Food truck vendors decorated the lawn with some real crowd-pleasing menus.
As a tribute to the events name, “Fur Trade”, many vendors displayed an array of natural furs just as they would have been seen in the age that they where a major form of commerce and necessity for a new economy.
The fort grounds proudly sported the original buildings, log cabins, kitchens, and all the structures that date back to the origin of the Fort in 1842. According to the Chickasaw Nation, Fort Washita was originally constructed as the Southwestern- most military post of the United States and the mission of Fort Washita was to maintain peace for the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations within their new lands pursuant to treaty obligations.
Fort Washita operated as a United States military post until the start of the Civil War in 1861. It was then occupied by Confederate forces through 1865. After the Civil War, the fort was granted to the Chickasaw Nation and later the Dawes Commission allotted the land to the Charles and Abbie Colbert family.
In 1962, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the fort and restored parts of it. In 2016, The Chickasaw Nation partnered with the Oklahoma Historical Society to assume responsibility and management.
Today, the fort is back in the control of its rightful caretakers and remains as close to the original form as time will allow and restoration is prevalent throughout the grounds.