More than 100 demonstrators gathered Saturday at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site to protest recent firings there by the second Trump administration as it cuts the federal workforce.
The administration has not released an official tally of National Park Service staff cuts, and federal employees are barred from speaking publicly.
As of November, Fort Vancouver had 23 employees, according to an email from Superintendent Tracy Fortmann at the time. Two were new hires.
Several employees at the fort have been terminated, according to a Fort Vancouver volunteer who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution against Park Service staff.
The fort is operated by the National Park Service, not to be confused with the U.S. Forest Service, which manages the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The National Park Service said in a statement last week the federal agency is planning to hire seasonal workers “to continue enhancing the visitor experience as we embrace new opportunities for optimization and innovation in workforce management.
“We are focused on ensuring that every visitor has the chance to explore and connect with the incredible, iconic spaces of our national parks,” according to the statement.
Erica Lindemann, director of marketing at Visit Vancouver WA, said Fort Vancouver draws tourists.
“It is something that is unique to our city,” she said.
Fort Vancouver drew nearly 1 million visitors in 2022, according to a 2023 National Park Service report.
Lindemann said she thinks staff cuts at the fort will impact the visitor experience.
“Everyone is affected, including visitors, schoolchildren and people who walk here,” said Mary Rose, executive director of the nonprofit Friends of Fort Vancouver, which operates the bookstore there. (The fort is a popular destination for local runners and walkers.)
Friends of Fort Vancouver uses knowledge, books, activities and Native American art to help share and interpret the site for visitors, Rose said.
“We all feel the pinch of a dwindling staff and recognize the responsibilities of both staff and volunteers,” Rose said.
Employees, volunteers and friends of the site are a dedicated group, she added.
Rose said new activities and challenges are presented daily, requiring everyone at the fort to be nimble.
Rose said she and others with Friends of Fort Vancouver speak to visitors throughout the day.
“Many people are understanding and empathetic because they like being here. A few are angry and voice strong opinions,” she said.
