Back to Assignments

Fort Ross Panorama

In 1812, Russian fur trader Ivan Kuskov with 25 Russians and 80 Native Alaskans arrived at Bodega Bay, California, and traveled north to establish Fort Ross as a fur trading outpost. From then until 1841, the Russian American Company hunted sea otters, sea lions, and fur seals in baidarkas (Alaskan native kayaks) and grew crops to be shipped north to their bases in Alaska.

As you navigate through the panorama, identify the ways that the Russians used the American environment and its natural resources to advance their culture and society. Use the linked quotations and additional photographs to assist you in your interpretation.
Fort Ross

Click here to view 3D panaroma

Additional Photographs

Russian Orthodox Church

Aleut Baidarkas

Fort Ross Traders

Foods and Crafts

Fort Ross Militia

Music and Dance

Credits: Photographs by Carolyn Merchant; panorama assembly and web page by Rob Weinberg.
Panoramas updated by Ravi Shivanna using PanoramaStudio 3 (July 2018)