Photo Gallery: Past and present meld during Fort Atkinson Rendezvous Days

By Seth Boyes,

Canvas tents flapped in the breeze, and costumed participants strolled the grounds of historic Fort Atkinson over the weekend during the 48th annual Rendezvous Days. Organizers said this year’s annual festivities marked the first since restoration work on the historic site was completed. Officials planned to replace flooring, establish water mitigation measures and replace windows in the former fort’s north barracks. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced the fort was once again open to the public following the renovations in early July of this year. 

Construction of the original fort began on May 31, 1840, according to organizers. The fort was intended to serve as neutral territory as the Winnebago people of Wisconsin were resettled in Iowa — organizers said the fort is a historically significant site in understanding the negative treatment of Native Americans. The fort was completed in 1842 and featured 24 buildings as well as a stockade wall. More than a dozen other buildings were constructed outside the fort’s walls. It was last occupied in February of 1849, and the state of Iowa took ownership of the property in 1921, establishing it as a state park. 

Venders and history buffs clad in period clothing demonstrated early trades, crafts and activities as visitors circled the fort grounds this past weekend. Visitors were able to step inside some of the stone buildings of the fort and view items inside the fort museum as well as sample some food and musical entertainment from the era of the fort’s founding. 

More photos in the October 3 Decorah Leader.

 

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