This summer go back in time to Fort William

Fort William, located in Thunder Bay Ontario, was the magnificent inland headquarters of the fabled North West Company. The Fort has been recreated to the smallest detail to be as it was in 1815.When you enter the wooden gates of the Fort you are transported back to another time and another age. The many characters of the Fort are as they were 180 years ago. They know nothing of modern times but they are happy to tell you anything about the world of 1815. Stop and chat with these costumed guides and let them tell you about their rugged existence as supporters of the great Canadian fur trade. Visiting the doctor is only for the strong hearted, as he will discuss the value of leeches and bloodletting and the problems of pulling teeth without anesthetic. It might take four people to hold the patient down and he'll describe it all in great detail. Children will be spell bound.

The law and justice of the time were equally rough and ready. Ask one of the clerks about the poor fellow who didn't want to sign on for another term of service. In an attempt to change his mind they put him down in the pit under the outhouse for three days to see if he would reconsider. He didn't!

The Fort itself is a wonderful historic site covering 20 acres and containing over 42 completely outfitted buildings.

The foundation of the fur trade was the community of First Nations and their representatives are here in the Native encampment skinning, tanning and stretching hides, stitching birch bark baskets, making birch bark canoes and snowshoes.

Inside the Fort is the sound of bagpipes and in the Main Square you will meet the Company gentlemen in their top hats, long coats and cravats.

Then there are the colourful voyageurs. You can easily spot them in their bright shirts and wide rainbow sashes. They are the packhorses of the fur trade, paddling the canoes 12 hours a day, and carrying heavy packs over the portages, though you would never know it from their easy smiles and carefree attitude.

Intriguing aromas draw you to the kitchen and bakery where cooks prepare meals for the gentlemen. Walking through the trades area you will see the armourer repairing trade guns while the cooper makes kegs and barrels. The sound of hammers tells you the blacksmith and the tinsmith are working as well. The carpenter/joiner will be making furniture while the canoe builder is working on one of the giant canoes built for travel on the great lakes.

Past the Trades area is the farm with chickens, cattle, draft horses, pigs and sheep. In addition to looking after the animals the farm workers are also growing crops to carry the people of the Fort through the long winter.

A day spent at Fort William will be a day long remembered. It gives a living window on Canadian history.