About Us

Projects and Activities

The Fort Ross Interpretive Association (FRIA) has been a State Park Cooperating Association since 1976. Important current projects include:

• Preservation and furnishing of the Rotchev House, circa 1836, the only remaining Russian-built structure at Fort Ross. This work is being accomplished with the help of local, state and federal granting sources.

• A collaborative research project with Russian archives to investigate documents and graphics produced on early nineteenth-century Russian voyages to the west coast of North America. The project has been jointly funded by FRIA and the National Endowment for the Humanities. 

• Acquisition and organization of the Fort Ross library and archives. This library contains 30 albums of archivally-preserved historic photographs and almost 3,000 titles in the reference and circulating library.

• Exhibits, displays, and wayside panels are produced for the park to incorporate updated research as it becomes available.

• FRIA produces books and brochures about the cultural and natural history of Fort Ross and Salt Point, as well as a twice-yearly historical newsletter distributed to over 400 paying members.

• A cooperative project with the Native Kashaya community, UC Berkeley, and State Parks to develop a cultural trail in the park.

• Restoration and furnishing of the historic Call Ranch House built during the American ranch era in 1878.



Mission Statement

The mission of the Fort Ross Interpretive Association, Incorporated, is to promote for the benefit of the public the interpretive and educational activities of the Russian River Sector of California State Parks at Fort Ross State Historic Park and Salt Point State Park. 

Goals and Objectives

• To enhance and conserve the cultural and natural historic, interpretive and educational resources of Fort Ross and Salt Point State Parks.

• To sponsor, publish, distribute, and sell appropriate items which increase visitor understanding and appreciation of this area.

• To acquire materials and equipment to assist in the educational and interpretive programs at Fort Ross and Salt Point State Parks.

• To develop and maintain a library.

• To preserve and archive historical material associated with Fort Ross and Salt Point State Parks, and to provide and maintain adequate and secure storage facilities.

• To sponsor, support, and assist scientific research and investigations relating to Fort Ross and Salt Point State Parks, and presentation of these studies to the public.

• To promote interpretation that reflects current research.

• To plan, organize, and implement fund raising programs to support interpretive and educational activities at Fort Ross and Salt Point.

Board of Directors
A seven-to-eleven member board of directors meets on the second Saturday of February, April, June, August, October, and December.

Officers

Tom Wright, President;  Glenn Farris, Corresponding and Recording Secretary;

Jan Phelps, Treasurer.
Directors: Konstantin Kudryavtsev; Rick Ashley; Misha Pashkov, Michael Dewees.

Directors Emeritus: Kent Lightfoot, John Sperry, Ludmila Ershov.

Staff
Sarah Sweedler, Executive Director; Sarjan Holt, Administrator; Lake Perry & Susanna Barlow, Gift Shop Staff.