Make FortRoss a National Monument

The crisis forced California Government to dramatically cut down the funds for the State Parks and so Fort Ross State Historic Park is now in danger of being closed. We understand that this was unfortunate and hard decision that our lawmakers had to make but Fort Ross is not just "another" typical State Park where you can bring your family for a weekend to relax and grill some sausages - it's part of our American History.

America became a melting pot of many cultures that produced new great and unique nation - American People. The cultures from all around the world contributed to this process and our duty is to protect our history and it's historical landmarks.

About two hundred years ago, in 1812, the Russian American company built a settlement and a fort. It was the site of California's first windmills and shipbuilding, and Russian scientists were among the first to record California's cultural and natural history. Fort Ross was a successfully functioning multi-cultural settlement for thirty years. Settlers included Russians, Native Alaskans and Californians, and Creoles.

They lived and worked together in peace. Friendly and business relations were maintained with Spanish settlers in the area as well. So Fort Ross has not only been a monument to the rich history of California, it has served as a symbol of California's ethnic and religious diversity.

At the time the Russian-American Company sold the settlement, there were cultivated lands, farms, the fort itself, a windmill, houses, a Russian Orthodox chapel, and a cemetery where more then 130 people were buried.

Fort Ross has also a rich history as a State Historic park. In 1903, the fort and about three acres of land were purchased by the California Historical Landmarks Committee. In March 1906, the site was turned over to the State of California for preservation and restoration as a state historic monument. Since then, more acreage has been acquired to preserve the site of the old Russian establishment and some of its surrounding environment. During the XXth century, thanks to the care of many American enthusiasts and the Russian community, this place was protected and turned into a state park. The buildings, the chapel, the fences, and the cemetery were restored. The chapel is the first Russian Orthodox one in California, and it is open for services.

In nowadays American and Russian visitors, volunteers, and helpers come to "Fort Ross", the museum under the sky. The park is open for Cultural Heritage Days and is the point where two cultures interweave naturally. There people from many backgrounds meet, and the relaxed and beautiful site of the open air museum helps to promote understanding between nations.

This place is especially important for the young generation. There are interactive educational programs for children. As a part of the overnight trips at Fort Ross, students, dressed in XIX century costumes, adopt the names of people who lived in the settlement and study this page of local and Russian history through enacting various aspects of the life at this time. American youth get to know more about the different people who lived here; and Russian children who live in America feel their roots and their belonging to the rich Russian culture through Fort Ross.

This is our responsibility to preserve the memory about the people who lived in California before us and to pass this information to our children. Please sign the following simple petition to save this beautiful piece of our history.