A Voyageur’s Sojourn at La Baye: A Fur Trade Encampment

It is mid-May in the year 1765 and the Voyageurs have arrived in their canot du nords – northern canoes – at La Baye. After a four-day journey leaving Fort Michilimackinac, they arrived with their goods to trade for furs and other items that the indigenous peoples had accumulated through the fall and winter months. Hear the stories of the Voyageur’s travels and witness firsthand a day in the life of these hardy men. Learn how the trading was conducted between the native tribes and the merchant posted at La Baye. Learn the history of the fur trade that was once under French control, then regulated by Great Britain after 1760.

VOYAGEURS

• Experience their daily routines and travels to La Baye from Mackinac
• See their trade goods and what would have been in their kit, and smell their meals cooking
• Sing traditional songs and tell tall tales from the
• 11 AM – Noon: Join a group of Voyageurs on an historic portage. Watch them take a short sail down the fox river in their birch bark canoes!

CLERKS/COMMIS

• Experience the role of the clerks and discussion on trade goods.
• View trading between the Natives and the clerks.

NATIVE AMERICAN

•  Learn about native customs, hunting furs, maple sugar camps, hunting camps and trading furs and other goods.

General admission applies and may be purchased the day-of.

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