Gear Up for a New Reenactment Season!
Fort Steilacoom’s biennial Reenactor Swap Meet is back!
For the first time ever, it’s combined with our annual Book Sale, so we expect even more visitors.
This is your chance to buy, sell, and trade living history gear, clothing, and supplies for the upcoming season.
Looking to refresh your kit? Find period-appropriate treasures from fellow reenactors!
Got extra gear? Sell or swap items you no longer need!
Saturday,April 11, 2026
Fort Steilacoom, Lakewood, WA
Vendor Setup: 8:30 AM | Open to the Public: 10 AM – 2 PM
Learn more and sign up here:
All historic eras are allowed at the swap meet. Vendors are welcome to sell new and used items, whether antiques or reproductions. Crafting supplies, reference books, and any other materials which may be useful for reenacting are also suited to this sale.
Please note a few specific restrictions:
Please don’t bring guns or replica guns to this event; this includes antique and black powder weapons. Our lease with the State of Washington prohibits firearms onsite outside of specific reenactment events.
All bladed or other weapons displayed, whether sharp or blunted replicas, should be secured in a fashion that prevents people casually picking them up. These items can be made available for examination by interested buyers, but should not be lying loose otherwise.
Military items from the 20th Century (such as WWI and WWII) should be U.S. military only.
This year, the swap meet will be concurrent with Historic Fort Steilacoom’s used book sale. That’s new. So please be sure to read all this:
As a result, the Fort’s tables will not be available to swap meet vendors; vendor fees have been reduced to reflect this changed circumstance. Each vendor space will have room for one six-foot table (or equivalent) and two chairs. Folding chairs are available on-site for those who do not wish to bring their own.
Covered spaces may be indoors or on a porch with roof; outdoor spaces will be on grass, and vendors should bring tents/awnings in case of rain etc. Reservations of two spaces by the same person will be assigned adjacent locations. Please email info@historicfortsteilacoom.org if you will need more than 2 adjoining spaces or have other specific needs.
A small number of tents will be available to outdoor vendors who cannot bring their own; to reserve one of these, please email info@historicfortsteilacoom.org at least a week before the event.
Loaner tents will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bathrooms will be available on site.
Vendors are responsible for providing their own payment processing methods (cash, card, or online). Wifi access will be available to registered vendors who need it for processing transactions. The Historic Fort Steilacoom Association will not be able to process credit cards or make change on vendors’ behalf.
This event is free to shoppers. Vendor fees go to support the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association, an all-volunteer 501c(3) non-profit organization which cares for the fort’s four surviving 1858 buildings.
If you have any questions, please contact Historic Fort Steilacoom at info@historicfortsteilacoom.org.
The museum’s proceeds from this event go to maintaining four 168-year-old buildings. We thank you for your support!
