August 02, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Ft St James National Hisotric Site is located approximatley 1.5 hours from Prince George along highway 27. Although the drive might be far for some, don't let it discourage you. At the end of Highway 27, you will find a small hidden northern BC gem- the national historical site that was the based of the fur trade industry way back in the day.
After arriving at FSJ National Historical Site and previewing their introduction video, you are able to either do a guided or self guided tour of the site. Your first stop will be the Fur Warhouse. At the Fur Warehouse, if you have young ones (or are young at heart), you can grab a rabbit fur to save for future trading at the Trade Store. From the Fur Warehouse, you'll past the Fish Cache and find yourself in the Men's House. Take a few minutes to enjoy the Men's House and experience the 1890's version of the lazy boy and reflect on the lonely life that many men within the region led. From the Men's House you can head over to the Trade Store where you will have the opportunity to barter over the rabbit pelt and see what kind of deal you can secure with the shopkeeper, see the goods that were available to the region and imagine just how long the journey would be to get all those wonderful goods into the region. Be sure to stop in at the Murray House to say hi to the gals who work there and be sure to enjoy some of their oven fresh cookies! This year, the National Historic Site has also provided the opportunity for taking a traditonal tea as well (although, you should be sure to book ahead of time!).
August 08, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Hi Fellow Travellers: I recently visited this
amazing place and had forgotten how beautiful Stuart Lake is. I had not been here since elementary school days. Watching the raising of the flags and singing to the national anthem was moving. Archery and guessing the birds was a hoot! It was great to speak with the elder, Mrs. Prince in the fish-drying building. She is very knowledgeable, as were everyone on site. I especially got a kick out of listening and watching the short play at the end in the fur storage building. Very funny! I even had my pic taken in their version of a lazy-boy recliner. In total, I spent about 4 hours there and also enjoyed a great meal and baked goods (baked in wood stove). Excellent way to end my tour of the oldest original wooden fur trade buildings in Canada. I can't wait to visit again! Next time I am bringing my mother (also an elder) as she will get a huge kick out of the fur storage, she makes parkas and is a licensed furrier after all!
June 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Tucked 53km off of highway 16 west, what was once a buzzing hub of trading activity, is the Fort St. James National Historic Site. This wild land is the home of the Nak'azdli First Nations and the Stuart Lake Outpost which in 1821 became Fort St. James with the amalgamation of the North West Company and the Hudson Bay Company. This trading post was alive and active until 1952 and is now authentically maintained.
My friends and I expected to check out the site very quickly on our way to Smithers. However the people there were so knowledgeable and friendly that we ended up staying for four hours. We learned so much, ate traditional food, tried our hand at measuring fur quality and played at ladel a traditional archery like sport, but much better! We also enjoyed a picnic on the shores of beautiful Stuart Lake. This is a stop you will not forget and will not want to miss.
May 28, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Finally got around to checking out the heritage site at Ft. St. James. it was fantastic! We got a guided tour through the site by actors in period costume, had breakfast and dinner cooked for us on an old wood stove/oven, bartered with a shop keeper over a price for my pelts ;) but after spending the night in the "mens House" sleeping on a hay filled bed I got to take in this view... perfect
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites
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You might think that taking an energetic three year old to a National Historic Site would be a disaster, but not if it's Fort St. James National Historic Site!
On a sunny Sunday, the hubby and I packed up 3 year old Jacob, and headed out. After the scenic hour and a half drive (from Prince George), we found ourselves in 1896! Following the simple self-guided tour, we happily discovered that it is a HANDS-ON attraction, staffed by interested and interesting costumed interpreters.
In the Warehouse and Fur Storage building, we were able to touch the furs, barrels and supplies, smell the wood of the building, and sense the bustling activity of the past.
In the Men's House, we couldn't resist the photo op, sitting in the precursor to the La-Z-Boy, wearing a felt hat and holding a bottle of Irish Whiskey. (So what if he's three?)
The Trade Store and Office was a hit with Jacob, where he got to trade his fur (after haggling with the staff) for a "gold" chocolate coin.
We got to feed the chickens and the cat at the Officer's House, swung on the swing, and played pioneer games out on the lawn with another one of the staff.
Lastly, we built the walls of a house with the ingenious "Piece on Piece" playhouse. A cool drink in the shady house rounded out our afternoon.
We ended up spending over three hours on the site, and Jacob was happy every minute of it! For us grownups, the setting was simply beautiful, the history was interesting, and we'd definitely go again!