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{{Short description|Historical site in Thunder Bay, Ontario}}
⚫ {{infobox Museum
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
⚫ |name= '''Fort William Historical Park'''
⚫ {{infobox museum
⚫ |image= Oldfort-index-may23 01.jpg
⚫ | name = '''Fort William Historical Park'''
|established= 1973
⚫ | image = Oldfort-index-may23 01.jpg
⚫ |location= ], ], ].
|type = Historical Park | established = 1973
⚫ | location = ], ], Canada.
⚫ |director =
|curator = | type = Historical Park
|visitors = | leader_type = General Manager
| leader = Patrick Morash
|website = | website = {{URL|http://www.fwhp.ca}}
⚫ | embedded =
| map_type =
| former_name = Old Fort William
| owner = Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
| publictransit = {{rint|bus|1}} ]
{{rbox|4||red|white}}
}} }}
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
'''Fort William Historical Park''' (formerly known as '''Old Fort William''') is a ] historical site located in ], ], that contains a reconstruction of the ] ] post as it existed in 1815. It officially opened on July 3, 1973. '''Fort William Historical Park''' (formerly known as '''Old Fort William''') is a Canadian historical site located in ], ], that contains a reconstruction of the ] ] post as it existed in 1815. It officially opened on July 3, 1973.

⚫ The site is located on the banks of the ] at Point de Meuron. This point is a few kilometres upstream from the original fort's site, ], which has been built over as part of the city of Thunder Bay. Point de Meuron has separate historical significance, as it was the location of an ] post of the same name.


==History== ==History==
The original trading post was located at ], ], however the British/Canadian fur traders had been forced to abandon Grand Portage as their centre of operations when that area was ceded to the ] after the ], and to avoid American taxes the trading post was moved to what became Fort William on the Canadian side of the border.<ref>"A Golden Gateway of the Great Northwest - History of Thunder Bay" Joseph M. Mauro,Lehto Printers Ltd. Thunder Bay, Ontario - 1981 pgs 21-23 </ref> The ] had a major depot at ] to the west of Fort William. After the ], Britain finally ceded the area to the United States (US) under the ] of 1796, to settle the northern border. British/Canadian fur traders wanted to create a new center of operations to avoid US taxes, and so the trading post was moved north to what became ] on the Canadian side of the border.<ref>Joseph M. Mauro, ''A Golden Gateway of the Great Northwest - History of Thunder Bay'', Thunder Bay, Ontario: Lehto Printers Ltd., 1981, pp. 21-23</ref>


Fort William Historical Park is known as a ] site, where reconstructed buildings and costumed historical interpreters recreate Fort William of the year 1815. At that time Fort William was not primarily a settlement, but a central transport depot within the now-defunct ]'s network of fur trade outposts. Due to its central role, Fort William was much larger and more multifaceted than the average fur trade post. Reflecting this, Fort William Historical Park contains 42 reconstructed buildings, a reconstructed ] village, and a small farm. Historical interpreters represent the many roles and cultures involved in the fur trade, including ] fur traders, ] ] and workers, and ]. The native people in the Fort William area are predominantly Ojibwa and are represented accordingly among the interpreters. Fort William Historical Park is known as a ] site. Numerous historic buildings have been reconstructed to show the range of the post, and costumed historical interpreters recreate Fort William of the year 1816. Fort William was then not primarily a settlement, but a central transport depot within the now-defunct North West Company's network of fur trade outposts. Due to its central role, Fort William was much larger, with more facilities than the average fur trade post. Reflecting this, Fort William Historical Park contains 42 reconstructed buildings, a reconstructed ] village, and a small farm.


Historical interpreters represent the many roles and cultures involved in the fur trade, including ] fur traders (people of capital), who often took Native American wives and had their families living with them; ] ] and workers, who also had wives from among the Natives; and ]. The native people in the Fort William area are predominantly Ojibwa and are represented accordingly among the interpreters.
⚫ Fort William Historical Park may also be noted for its working community of skilled ], including a ], ], ], ], and ] ] builder who all work according to traditional 19th-century methods. Many of their crafts are not widely practised elsewhere, and Fort William's canoe builder has built birch bark canoes for other Canadian cultural sites, including the ].


The North West Company's "winter partners", fur traders who lived at the post, in the early years married into the upper classes of the native people, strengthening their alliances. There were thus two tiers of society - the fur traders and chiefs and their daughters, and the workers, who formed liaisons or married native women. The descendants of the latter tended to stay in fur trapping and became the ] ethnic group. While also of mixed heritage, children of fur traders and chief's daughters tended to receive thorough English educations (as well as learning Native culture from their mothers' families) and often moved within the upper classes of Canadian society, including being selected for government posts.
⚫ Each summer Fort William Historical Park hosts the Great Rendezvous, a recreation of the annual meeting of company fur traders that took place at this central location. Participants from all over Canada and the United States register to camp for the weekend at Fort William Historical Park and take part in this ].


⚫ Fort William Historical Park has a working community of skilled ], including a ], ], ], ], and ] ] builder. They all craft products according to traditional early 19th-century methods and tools. Many of their crafts are not widely practised elsewhere. Fort William's canoe builder has built birch bark canoes for other Canadian cultural sites, including the ].
⚫ Fort William Historical Park is located on the banks of the ] at Point de Meuron. This point is a few kilometres upstream from the original fort's site, which has been built over as part of the city of Thunder Bay, but holds historical significance of its own. Point de Meuron derives its name from the mercenary De Meuron soldiers who used the point as a base camp when attacking Fort William on behalf of the North West Company's rival, the ], in 1816.


⚫ Each summer Fort William Historical Park hosts the "Great Rendezvous", a recreation of the annual meeting of company fur traders that took place at this central location. Participants from all over Canada and the United States register to camp for the weekend at Fort William Historical Park and take part in this ].
Fort William Historical Park is a historical site operated by the Ontario provincial government. It has been noted as one of Canada's top ten tourist attractions and as one of Canada's top living history sites.

==Legacy==
On 28 June 1985 Canada Post issued 'Fort William, Ont.' one of the 20 stamps in the “Forts Across Canada Series” (1983 & 1985). The stamps are perforated {{frac|12|1|2}} x 13&nbsp;mm and were printed by ] based on the designs by ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=%28fort.TITP.%29%20Or%20%28fort.TITI.%20And%20null.B742.%29&l=20&d=STMP&p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2Farchivianet%2F02011702_e.html&r=0&f=S&Sect1=STMP |title=Canada Post stamp |access-date=2019-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203210045/http://data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=%28fort.TITP.%29%20Or%20%28fort.TITI.%20And%20null.B742.%29&l=20&d=STMP&p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2Farchivianet%2F02011702_e.html&r=0&f=S&Sect1=STMP |archive-date=2016-02-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


== Location == == Location ==
The park is located at the South end of King Road, which runs off of Broadway Avenue two kilometres west of ]. The park is located at the south end of King Road, which runs off of Broadway Avenue two kilometres west of ]. ] route 4 Neebing makes several trips that include Fort William Historical Park throughout the daytime on weekdays.


== Amphitheatre == == Amphitheatre ==
In early 2008 the Fort started bulding a brand new state of the art amphitheatre. The Amphitheatre is designed to adapt to any event or function, large and small. It is one Canada's largest purpose built outdoor entertainment venues! The Amphitheatre is designed to host large scale national events with audience sizes up to 50,000 persons as well as small local community events. It is uniquely configured to be capable of hosting multiple independent events at the same time. The Amphitheatre is also a year round venue, featuring 6 regulation size hockey ice surfaces in the winter. In 2008 the fort built an amphitheatre to host a variety of events. It is one of Canada's largest purpose-built outdoor entertainment venues.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} The Amphitheatre is designed to host events with audience sizes up to 50,000. It is configured to be capable of hosting multiple independent events at the same time. The Amphitheatre is a year-round venue, capable of featuring six regulation-size hockey ice surfaces in the winter, and a full-service campground during special events and concerts in the summer.


==Affiliations== ==Affiliations==
The Museum is affiliated with: ], ], and ]. The museum is affiliated with: ], ], and ].

==See also==
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}
{{Commons}} {{Commons category|Fort William Historical Park}}
*Morrison, Jean F. Superior rendez-vous place : Fort William in the Canadian fur trade. Toronto : Natural Heritage Books, 2007. 1st ed. appeared in 2001. The most authoritative book on Fort William * Morrison, Jean F. Superior rendez-vous place : Fort William in the Canadian fur trade. Toronto : Natural Heritage Books, 2007. 1st ed. appeared in 2001. The most authoritative book on Fort William
* Old Fort William Historical Park brochure, Parks Canada, 2001.
<references/>
* Members of management board - http://www.infogo.gov.on.ca/infogo/#orgProfile/2098/en


==External links== ==External links==
* *


{{Canadian history}} {{Canadian history}}
{{NHSC}}


{{coord|48|20|34|N|89|21|30|W|type:landmark_region:CA-ON|display=title}} {{Coord|48|20|34|N|89|21|30|W|type:landmark_region:CA-ON|display=title}}


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Latest revision as of 20:17, 16 October 2024

Historical site in Thunder Bay, Ontario

Fort William Historical Park
Former nameOld Fort William
Established1973
LocationThunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
TypeHistorical Park
General ManagerPatrick Morash
OwnerOntario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
Public transit accessBus interchange Thunder Bay Transit  4 
Websitewww.fwhp.ca
A view of the fort from the lookout post.
A typical room at Fort William Historical Park.
A star-shaped door handle.
One of the cannons near the main entrance to the park. The inscription reads I. & P. VERBRUGGEN.

Fort William Historical Park (formerly known as Old Fort William) is a Canadian historical site located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, that contains a reconstruction of the Fort William fur trade post as it existed in 1815. It officially opened on July 3, 1973.

The site is located on the banks of the Kaministiquia River at Point de Meuron. This point is a few kilometres upstream from the original fort's site, Fort Kaministiquia, which has been built over as part of the city of Thunder Bay. Point de Meuron has separate historical significance, as it was the location of an Hudson's Bay Company post of the same name.

History

The North West Company had a major depot at Grand Portage to the west of Fort William. After the American Revolutionary War, Britain finally ceded the area to the United States (US) under the Jay Treaty of 1796, to settle the northern border. British/Canadian fur traders wanted to create a new center of operations to avoid US taxes, and so the trading post was moved north to what became Fort William on the Canadian side of the border.

Fort William Historical Park is known as a living history site. Numerous historic buildings have been reconstructed to show the range of the post, and costumed historical interpreters recreate Fort William of the year 1816. Fort William was then not primarily a settlement, but a central transport depot within the now-defunct North West Company's network of fur trade outposts. Due to its central role, Fort William was much larger, with more facilities than the average fur trade post. Reflecting this, Fort William Historical Park contains 42 reconstructed buildings, a reconstructed Ojibwa village, and a small farm.

Historical interpreters represent the many roles and cultures involved in the fur trade, including Scottish fur traders (people of capital), who often took Native American wives and had their families living with them; French Canadian voyageurs and workers, who also had wives from among the Natives; and native hunters and trappers. The native people in the Fort William area are predominantly Ojibwa and are represented accordingly among the interpreters.

The North West Company's "winter partners", fur traders who lived at the post, in the early years married into the upper classes of the native people, strengthening their alliances. There were thus two tiers of society - the fur traders and chiefs and their daughters, and the workers, who formed liaisons or married native women. The descendants of the latter tended to stay in fur trapping and became the Métis ethnic group. While also of mixed heritage, children of fur traders and chief's daughters tended to receive thorough English educations (as well as learning Native culture from their mothers' families) and often moved within the upper classes of Canadian society, including being selected for government posts.

Fort William Historical Park has a working community of skilled tradesmen, including a blacksmith, tinsmith, carpenter, cooper, and birch bark canoe builder. They all craft products according to traditional early 19th-century methods and tools. Many of their crafts are not widely practised elsewhere. Fort William's canoe builder has built birch bark canoes for other Canadian cultural sites, including the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Each summer Fort William Historical Park hosts the "Great Rendezvous", a recreation of the annual meeting of company fur traders that took place at this central location. Participants from all over Canada and the United States register to camp for the weekend at Fort William Historical Park and take part in this historical reenactment.

Legacy

On 28 June 1985 Canada Post issued 'Fort William, Ont.' one of the 20 stamps in the “Forts Across Canada Series” (1983 & 1985). The stamps are perforated 12+1⁄2 x 13 mm and were printed by Ashton-Potter Limited based on the designs by Rolf P. Harder.

Location

The park is located at the south end of King Road, which runs off of Broadway Avenue two kilometres west of Highway 61. Thunder Bay Transit’s route 4 Neebing makes several trips that include Fort William Historical Park throughout the daytime on weekdays.

Amphitheatre

In 2008 the fort built an amphitheatre to host a variety of events. It is one of Canada's largest purpose-built outdoor entertainment venues. The Amphitheatre is designed to host events with audience sizes up to 50,000. It is configured to be capable of hosting multiple independent events at the same time. The Amphitheatre is a year-round venue, capable of featuring six regulation-size hockey ice surfaces in the winter, and a full-service campground during special events and concerts in the summer.

Affiliations

The museum is affiliated with: CMA, CHIN, and Virtual Museum of Canada.

See also

References

  1. Joseph M. Mauro, A Golden Gateway of the Great Northwest - History of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay, Ontario: Lehto Printers Ltd., 1981, pp. 21-23
  2. "Canada Post stamp". Archived from the original on 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  • Morrison, Jean F. Superior rendez-vous place : Fort William in the Canadian fur trade. Toronto : Natural Heritage Books, 2007. 1st ed. appeared in 2001. The most authoritative book on Fort William
  • Old Fort William Historical Park brochure, Parks Canada, 2001.
  • Members of management board - http://www.infogo.gov.on.ca/infogo/#orgProfile/2098/en

External links

History of Canada
Year list
(Timeline)
Topics
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and territories
Cities
Research
National Historic Sites of Canada by location
Provinces
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Other countries

48°20′34″N 89°21′30″W / 48.34278°N 89.35833°W / 48.34278; -89.35833

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