On a sunny afternoon, we traveled along the Red River, heading north from Winnipeg. Our twenty-minute drive allowed views of the Canadian countryside. The familiar sight of prairie plains reminded us how similar the landscape is to our homeland in the U.S. Midwest. Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site was our destination and we were excited to explore this living history museum. We would discover an assortment of costumed interpreters who were happy to share stories of how this early frontier post helped shape the future of Manitoba.
We want to thank Travel Manitoba and Tourism Winnipeg for hosting our visit. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.
A World of Differences
In 1830, American President Andrew Jackson signed The Indian Removal Act. This would lead to the relocation of the Indigenous peoples from their tribal lands. At the same time in history, the Hudson’s Bay Company was erecting the first buildings at the site of Lower Fort Garry. Situated along the Red River, it would become a supply depot for nearby settlements, the Cree, Métis, and Anishinaabe peoples. By 1871, Treaty 1 would be established to trade land rights for material goods and an annual annuity. While there was concern over the actual results of the compromise, Canada’s path to resolution was far less violent than the American approach.
A Familiar Name Appears
I’ll admit that we are newcomers to Canadian history, especially here in the prairie plains. We spotted a monument bearing the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) name as we approached the exhibits. We recognized it from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, so this raised our excitement level. Since we knew next to nothing about the company, we considered this a good way to gain some understanding. HBC, as a major fur trading business, was once the oldest and largest corporation in Canada. Beginning in 1670, they were granted exclusive rights over a wide swath of land, which in essence created a monopoly. This continued until 1869.
Recognizing the Indigenous People
Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site comprises the walled area and a few structures outside the fort walls. A trail leads along these structures, so we began our tour there. Inside a small thicket of trees, we spotted some replicas of Indigenous homes. These Wigwams were constructed of tree branches and covered with thatch or bark. Various displays showcase pieces from the daily life of the inhabitants. An interpreter was on hand to answer questions and provide background information. As we explored the structures, the familiar ringing of a blacksmith beckoned us forward.
Facing the Heat
Stepping into the single-room structure, we found a tradesman hard at work. Tools of the trade hung along the wall. The glow of the coal rose when the blacksmith manned the bellows. He told us we just made it in time to watch him create a square nail. With measured movements, he went to work fashioning the piece from an iron bar. We watched in wonder as he moved through the steps required to make this integral piece for frontier construction. From start to finish, it took him about five minutes to finish the nail. It made me think about how many nails would be needed to build a home.
Heading into the Fort
While the original buildings were erected in 1830, the fort walls wouldn’t be added until 1840. These were not a military addition but more to impress the local traders. As we passed through the limestone walls, the compound opened before us. We made our way to the Big House. Here we were greeted by more interpreters and offered a tour. It turns out that the original Fort Garry was located south of here. A flood in 1826 destroyed it, so this site was chosen as a replacement. We had noticed how Lower Fort Garry sits high above the Red River on a ridge.
Shopping in the Early Days
The buildings inside of the fort walls are open to the public. We entered the trading store and found it stocked with goods from that long-ago era. It was easy to imagine this spot being filled with trappers and Indigenous tribespeople looking to trade goods. The interpreter walked us through the more unusual items, while we explored the inventory. It was obvious that people in those days lived simpler lives.
Residential Life
We discovered that not all buildings have interpreters on hand, but each has displays that tell part of the fort’s story. Piecing together the information we gathered, a picture of life in the Canadian frontier emerged. Where we may think life in those days was mundane, the harsh reality of survival would have made it challenging. Many of the creature comforts, which we take for granted, were not available out on the vast prairie.
Plan Your Visit to Lower Fort Garry
Visits to living history museums, like the Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, help paint a tapestry of life during westward expansion. We find the timeline similarities between Canada and the United States intriguing. The admission price of $13.25 Canadian is only $9.63 USD. We estimate that an average visit would take at least two hours, so it was quite a bargain for our entertainment dollars. Our Winnipeg visit was not only educational, it was also easy on our pocketbook. That makes this region a prime vacation destination for travelers from the Midwest.
