Matt Schanandore

Interpretive & Events Director, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Matt Schanandore is the Interpretive & Events Director for Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. He has been directing the historical programs at Fort Abraham Lincoln State since 2007. Matt has been driving force in creating unique state park events that cater to the local community with the goal to increase repeat visitation to the park. Some of the these events include romantic dinners in the Custer House, off-road trail running infused with coffee, the well know 12-Months 12-Hikes Challenge, and the infamous Haunted Fort North Dakota’s #1 scariest and largest Halloween attraction. Matt’s keen understanding of the seasonal attraction business model has been a large factor in the ultimate success of the park’s multiple offerings which are above and beyond their normal services. Haunted Fort which takes place during the month of October has become the North Dakota State Parks Department’s largest seasonal attraction, attracting over 8,000 visitors, employing 40 plus staff including five professional zombies, garnering well over 1,000 volunteer hours from the community, and producing over $140,000 in revenue, which helps to support the educational and historical interpretive efforts of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.