2024 National Fur Trade Symposium

The Eve of Rendezvous: A Bicentennial Event
at the Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming
September 12-15, 2024

In the spring of 1824, a small group of trappers entered the Green River Valley, where they found an abundance of beaver and friendly Shoshone willing to trade. The following year supplies were brought from St. Louis and the first rendezvous was held, launching the rendezvous era of the Rocky Mountain fur trade.  Join us to celebrate the eve of the bicentennial of rendezvous.

Call for Speakers – Deadline March 1, 2024. See Call for Speakers for details.

Symposium Schedule – September 12-15, 2024. Four-day event with presentations on Friday & Saturday, auto tours on Thursday & Sunday, and special evening programs with dinner on Thursday, Friday & Saturday.  Audience of about 200 expected composed of mostly fur trade enthusiasts.  Programs held at Pinedale Library and Museum of the Mountain Man. 

Subjects – The symposium theme is “The Eve of Rendezvous” given the bicentennial of rendezvous is approaching from 2025 to 2040. Subjects focusing on the lead up to and creation of the rendezvous, as well as subjects relating to the fur trade in the Green River Valley will be featured.  However, any subject related to the Rocky Mountain fur trade will be considered with priority given to those presenting a new or unique perspective. 

Presentations – may include Traditions speech, Panel Discussion, Living History Demonstrations.

Auto Tours – Guided and self-guided auto tours are being planned for attendees coming to the symposium (Thursday) or leaving the symposium (Sunday) from all directions much as mountain men and Indians would have come to and left Green River Rendezvous in the 1830.

Registration – Early registration and lodging reservation available in January 2024. Full agenda available in March 2024.

Symposium Proceedings – An official proceedings will be developed after the Symposium and mailed to all registered attendees. Programs will be filmed and excerpts or full video will be posted on the internet.

Keep in Touch

Email symposium@mmmuseum.com to be added to email list.
Latest information and updates posted on this page – MuseumoftheMountainMan.com/symposium2024

For updates and other information also see
facebook.com/museumofthemountainman
youtube.com/museumofthemountainman

National Fur Trade Symposium History

1987 – Fort Laramie National Historic Site, Wyoming
1988 – Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, Colorado
1989 – Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis, Missouri
1990 – Fort Union Trading Post Historical Site, Williston, North Dakota
1992 – Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming
1997 – Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming
2000 – Fort Union Trading Post Historical Site, Williston, North Dakota
2003 – Historic Old Fort Benton, Fort Benton, Montana
2006 – Museum of the Fur Trade, Chadron, Nebraska
2009 – Fort Whoop-up National Historic Site, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
2010 – Three Forks Area Historical Society, Three Forks, Montana
2012 – Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming
2015 – Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, La Junta, Colorado
2018 –  Northern Plains, Bismarck, North Dakota