Fort Ross State Historic Park
Encyclopedia
Fort Ross State Historic Park is a protected historic site in the U.S. state
of California
. It includes Fort Ross, the former Russian settlement
, with the surrounding area comprising the immediate coastline and the native Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests extending inland.
in 1812. Most of the Fort's buildings of the site are reproductions. The one original structure remaining from the Russian settlement, the commander's house, is a designated National Historic Landmark
and on the National Register of Historic Places
. The California Department of Parks and Recreation
as well as many volunteers put extensive efforts into restoration and reconstruction work in the Fort.
petitioned in favor of the park, but governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
promised nothing.. On June 22, 2010, in San Francisco a memorandum of understanding
between the Renova Group of Companies and the State of California was signed in the presence of Russia
n President Dmitriy Medvedev "to affirm a partnership to support and promote the preservation of California’s Fort Ross State Historic Park, and to raise awareness of its historical and cultural significance"
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It includes Fort Ross, the former Russian settlement
Russian colonization of the Americas
The Russian colonization of the Americas covers the period, from 1732 to 1867, when the Tsarist Imperial Russian Empire laid claim to northern Pacific Coast territories in the Americas...
, with the surrounding area comprising the immediate coastline and the native Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests extending inland.
Fort Ross
Fort Ross was founded by the Russian-American CompanyRussian-American Company
The Russian-American Company was a state-sponsored chartered company formed largely on the basis of the so-called Shelekhov-Golikov Company of Grigory Shelekhov and Ivan Larionovich Golikov The Russian-American Company (officially: Under His Imperial Majesty's Highest Protection (patronage)...
in 1812. Most of the Fort's buildings of the site are reproductions. The one original structure remaining from the Russian settlement, the commander's house, is a designated National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
and on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The California Department of Parks and Recreation
California Department of Parks and Recreation
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, also known as California State Parks, manages the California state parks system. The system administers 278 parks and 1.4 million acres , with over of coastline; of lake and river frontage; nearly 15,000 campsites; and of hiking, biking, and...
as well as many volunteers put extensive efforts into restoration and reconstruction work in the Fort.
Park access & closures
Since 2009 the park is under the risk of being closed due to state budget cuts. Russian ambassador Sergey Ivanovich KislyakSergey Ivanovich Kislyak
Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak is a Russian diplomat, and currently serves as the Russian Ambassador to the United States.After graduating from the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute in 1973 and the USSR Academy of Foreign Trade in 1977, Kislyak joined the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs.From...
petitioned in favor of the park, but governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
promised nothing.. On June 22, 2010, in San Francisco a memorandum of understanding
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
between the Renova Group of Companies and the State of California was signed in the presence of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n President Dmitriy Medvedev "to affirm a partnership to support and promote the preservation of California’s Fort Ross State Historic Park, and to raise awareness of its historical and cultural significance"