Queen Victoria’s Birthday
Saturday, May 17, 2025; 11 am-5 pm at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
Purchase General Admission Tickets | Fort Members receive complementary admission.
Join us at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum for a day of revelry in honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday! Celebrate Her Majesty’s 37th birthday by stepping back into 1855 with cannon fire and Victorian finery. Queen Victoria took the throne at age 18 and ruled from 1837 until her death in 1901.
Many of the Fort’s ladies and gentlemen will be dressed in their finest 1850s fashion. Throughout the day, guests can visit with our historical interpreters, join in a game of croquet, explore hands-on activities, and enjoy live music and dance performances. Afternoon tea, a Queen Victoria favorite, will be served to visiting guests.
Guest arriving early will be treated to a parade of bagpipes to start the traditional tributes to the Queen, including a musket volley, cannon salute, and toasts from the Fort’s Chief Factor, Dr. Tolmie. Throughout the day, visitors can learn about historic firearms from black powder demonstrations, visit with blacksmiths working at the forge, enjoy music and dance around a May Pole, and even challenge Dr. Tolmie, to a game of croquet. Guests enjoy crafts and interactive activities, including joining a tea party.
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Schedule
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11 am: Gate Opens
11:30 am: Procession with Bagpipes, God Save the Queen, Volley, Cannon Fire, and a Toast
12:30, 2:30, 4:00 pm: Tea Time in the Large Store
12:00 pm: Tacoma Scottish Coutnry Dance Group Performance
1:00, 3:00, 5:00 pm: Cannon firing with black powder demonstrations. Cannon will fire in dry weather only.
2:00 pm: May Pole Dance, meet in the yard!
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All Day Activities
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Kid’s Outstation / Yard: 19th Century Games
Yard: Croquet with Dr. Tolmie and Friends, Watch Tinsmithing Demos
Sale Shop: Chat with historical interpreters and learn about the Hudson’s Bay Company
Granary: Tin whistle and woodworking demonstrations
Store No. 2: Visit with the Fort’s blacksmiths
Program Tent: Make your own decoupage box
Large Store: Join a Victorian Tea Party. Seating times listed above under “schedule.”
Marquee Tent: Refreshments
Laborer’s Dwelling: Learn about black powder and historic firearms. See demonstration schedule above under “schedule.”
Kitchen: Sample a treat from the kitchen made by our cook, Thornhill.
Heritage Garden: Make your own tussie mussie! Participate in watering the garden, learn about plants and herbs of the 19th century!
Factor’s House Porch: Listen to the melodies and meet the musicians of the Fort.
Factor’s House Dining Room: Make your own lavender sachets with lavender from the garden!
Museum Store: Snacks and beferages available for purchase. Browse books, gifts, Fort made items and more! Open until 4:00pm.
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Download the Program
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View the program below or click here to download a digital version of the program.
