Keelboat Experience Coming to Public Schools in Williston ND

Williston is getting another interesting opportunity, this time for fourth-grade children. The Fort Union Association is happy to sponsor the Fourth Grade Keelboat Experience at the Williston Public Library on April 4, 2025, working with the Fort Union Muzzleloaders Association and the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. What makes this so unique? Presenting students a unique opportunity to journey back in time and study the historical relevance of keelboats during the fur trade period, it's a hands-on educational experience with the keelboat "Gen. Wm. H. Ashley."

The Powerhouses of Early American Trade

Before railroads were built in the United States, rivers were the main commercial routes. Trade all around the nation was supported by these vessels. A replica of the boats that carried furs and supplies up and down the Upper Missouri River in the early nineteenth century, the "Gen. Wm. H. Ashley" These are not your usual boats, either. Their crews were required to work pretty hard to handle certain unanticipated waters in dangerous situations since they were meant to transport great quantities of cargo.

Bringing History to Life for Williston’s Fourth Graders

Williston's fourth-grade students and their teachers will get the chance to learn about history personally. A living history storyteller will be telling stories of the challenging trip from St. Louis to Fort Union, including problems with river navigation, supplies delivery, and even Native American contacts. Students will learn about the challenging lives of those who labored on these boats as well as the knowledge needed to operate a boat like the Gen. Wm. H. Ashley.

Students will be able to participate in a customized STEM project integrating classroom knowledge with keelboat navigation. Teachers will also get an extended study handout to help kids to understand this significant historical period.

To learn more about the "Gen. Wm. H. Ashley" and other Fort Union Association events, please visit www.fortuniontp.org or get in touch with Executive Director Megan Halvorson at info@fortuniontp.org or 701.572.2795.