Hank is super knowledgeable, and obviously cares deeply about Fort Ross. We got so much more out of our visit by spending some time with him. He even followed up with a text with more information about something we'd talked about on the tour. Thanks, Hank!

Hank did a great job bringing the many stories of Fort Ross alive.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Hank. We ended up at Fort Ross on a sometimes rainy and some times very windy day in March. I had booked the guided walking tour a month before so we were stuck with the weather. I will say the area and views were stunning on this cloudy wet day. After stopping at the Visitor center, watching the movie, and viewing the museum we set out on our walk of the Fort. Hank led us into the buildings as much as possible and out of the wind.
Hank provided us with more insight on the Russians, the Alaskans they brought with them and their interactions with the native Californians and the Spanish. He is such a great resource and very passionate about sharing information. This tour was such a bargain for all you receive in return. Don't miss Fort Ross, a historical treasure, or the tour!

Hank Birnbaum was our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about the Russian settlement, Fort Ross which was established as a Russian commercial venture in 1812 to A help supply food for settlements of the Russian-American Company that were already in existence in Alaska at that time, and B to harvest highly valuable otter seal skins which the company could then sell to wealthy Chinese merchants for a substanial profit. Hank speaks Russian fluently and having lived in Siberia for over a decade was able to give us insights about the history and culture of Russia during the 19th century when Russia was trying to establish colonies in North America. Taking this tour will dramatically enrich your understanding of and appreciation for Fort Ross State Historic Park. The geography and landscape surrounding the Fort is breathtaking - another reason to visit this site which is north of Jenner, California.

Hank is full of information and brought life to Fort Ross. Extremely knowledge! Fort is very well maintained. The display room covers native life, russian time period and afterwards. Well done!!

This was a unforgettable experience. The guide, Hank Birnbaum, was awesome. He found the way how to make the tour extremely interesting for all three generation of our family, from kids to grandparents. In a very short time we have seen a lot of secrets of Fort Ross and had a deep dive into the history.

Hank our guide was very knowledgeable and brought the fort alive with his stories. It was an hour tour that could have lasted longer. Well worth the time and trip.

If it wasn't for Hank it would have been pretty boring just looking around by ourselves.

Hank gave us a wonderful tour! My husband and I learned a lot about the brief Russian presence in California and their relationships with their neighbors.

This time we took the trip and had Hank narrate. He made the event come alive. Will recommend this trip to our friends.