The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site facts for kids
The Fur Trade at Lachine and original Lachine Canal as in 1820s
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| Location | Lachine in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. |
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| Type | history museum |
| Official name: The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site | |
| Designated: | 1970 |
The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site is a special old building in Lachine, a part of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It sits at the western end of the Lachine Canal. This site is recognized as an important National Historic Site of Canada.
Long ago, starting in the 1600s, brave travelers called voyageurs began their long canoe trips from this very spot. They carried goods to trade far into North America. At that time, the fast and dangerous Lachine Rapids in the Saint Lawrence River stopped big ships from going further west.
In 1803, a strong stone building was built here. It was used to store animal furs collected from the fur trade. Today, this building is a Parks Canada museum. It teaches us about the history of this important place, which was a starting and ending point for many fur trading adventures.
Contents
The Fur Trade Story
This historic site tells the exciting story of the fur trade in Canada. For many years, Montreal was the main starting point for almost all canoe routes heading west. Here, animal furs were moved from canoes to big ships. Also, goods for trading were moved from ships into canoes.
Why Lachine Was Important
The western end of Montreal Island was a natural place to transfer goods. This was because people could carry items over a nine-mile road to get around the Lachine Rapids. This made Lachine a very busy and important hub for trade.
The Northwest Company's Role
The Northwest Company, a big fur trading business, built the stone warehouse you see today in 1803. This building was used until 1859. After that, it was sold to the Sisters of Sainte Anne. They used it as a home for their workers.
Building the Lachine Canal
To make travel easier and safer, the Lachine Canal was built around the rapids in 1825. This canal allowed larger boats to bypass the dangerous waters. Sir George Simpson (administrator), an important person in the fur trade, had a large house across the canal from the warehouse. His house was taken down in 1880.
Becoming a Museum
Parks Canada bought the old warehouse in 1977. They worked to preserve it and opened it as a museum in 1985. The museum helps visitors understand the daily lives of voyageurs and the importance of the fur trade. It also shows how this location shaped Canadian history.
Museum Connections
The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site is connected to several other important groups. These connections help the museum share its stories and history with more people.
Museum Affiliations
The museum works with the Canadian Museums Association. It also partners with the Canadian Heritage Information Network. You can even find information about the museum through the Virtual Museum of Canada. These partnerships help the museum share its collections and knowledge.
