Fort Flashback - Making It Happen

For those who are curious about the full plan. We humbly submit Fort Flashback LLP- Download businessplan2008.doc (We have omitted some of the financial pages)

Our architect has designed a scale replica of Independence Hall.





    Of course, ours has some drastic changes from the original, as it will eventually be used as a dining hall and meeting area for the camp and has to meet current codes for housing children. The interior would be as close as possible to the original, but using MDF instead of expensive wood molding.

    We’d like to use it for balls and a myriad of other activities. The architect has taken into consideration height restrictions and county ordinances, as well as materials that can be used to minimize cost, sprinklers that will be necessary per the fire marshal etc.

     One the first buildings we’ve discussed building is the craftsman barn, which will house the blacksmith, cooper and printer for hands-on demonstrations.


    The coffee house will be an intimate gathering place for used for teaching as well as special occasion dinners i.e. "Christmas in the Colony" much like Riley's Farm etc.

    We believe it’ll be a place where people can gently slip into the past by dipping candles or pressing cider as they meet other travelers who are also dining at “The Saucy Gander”. They'll savor a cup of cider served ice cold in a pewter mug or hot and mulled depending on the season. Chat with their companions as they enter the candlelit inn. Enjoy classic 1700’s fare while they listen to music and toast friends and heroes. They’ll be pleased to make the acquaintance of an 18th century lady or gentleman who will catch them up on the current events of the day. Finally, they'll round out their evening as they kick up their heels a little with some after dinner quadrille.

    We’d like it to be a place where we can hold weddings, corporate events, family reunions etc. - So we can keep the period feel, the privy will be nearby, but not inside.



    Eventually, there will be storefronts with a dress shop or a hat shop and a general store. In the rear of the buildings will be offices and an editing room. A church will stand at the end of the square. - Tom and I feel a church is important because to truly understand colonial life it is important to understand the role of the church in the society. I know most teachers flinch when it comes to religion, but I don’t want the church to be used to persuade anyone rather it should be used to understand the time period. And if we can book it for weddings all the better. It seems Bellingham and Whatcom County in general has a real shortage of wedding venues. Currently many people use a local funeral home.

   

 

Below is a rendering of the site plan - It's a bit hard to see. The green area at the top is where the parking will be - currently our barn is there. You can see the craftsman barn along the fence line and  if you follow it, you can see Independence Hall down in the pasture with the other buildings.

The dotted lines near the road (on left) are wetland buffers.