(Sacramento, CA) — State parks officials are making changes to the lessons that are taught at Sutter’s Fort.
The California State Parks Commission has voted to change the museum’s interpretive plan. People who visit Sutter’s Fort will now be taught more about the impact early settlers had on Native Americans. Historians say John Sutter was involved in forced labor at the fort and was part of an effort to displace and dehumanize indigenous people.
There will also be fewer “living history” lessons, in which docents portray Sutter and other historical figures. The parks department is also considering removing John Sutter’s name from Sutter’s Fort, which is visited by up to 120-thousand people per year.