Good morning everyone and
welcome to the shopping mall. Oh, I know this doesn't look much like the place
where you buy your clothes, but in the early 1800s, this was in fact the equivalent
to early settlers in this area.
Fort Garry served many purposes in
its day. One of the primary reasons it was built was to be a trading outpost.
You probably guessed that furs were sold and traded here. And you'd be right.
After
all, right up over our heads up there, flapping in the breeze, is the Hudson's
Bay Co. flag. Hundreds of fur pelts were traded inside these gates. But the
most traded and sold item here was actually food.
You see, the British
government had two ways to feed the soldiers and officials it sent to man
this outpost. They could carry food all the way from England across the Atlantic
and then up a grueling river pathway with plenty of portages that required
men to carry 200 pounds on their backs -- or they could get it locally.
The
Hudson's Bay people soon established an active trade, with people coming to
the fort to buy, sell and swap.
Of course, Fort Garry was built to
be a fort. You'll see that as you head on up the pathway toward the main house.
You can see the signatures of the workmen who built the fort carved into its
massive walls.
Of course, for many people, Fort Garry was also home.
Head up the pathway to the big house and you'll see that some of the residents
of the fort lived quite nicely here.
You're now welcome
to make your way into the fort. Enjoy your stay and remember that this fort
was much more than an outpost in a rugged, dangerous wilderness. A lot more.
Upbeat
communication skills are necessary to keep visitors interested, according
to Paul Thistle, a museum director and curator. "We're looking for people
who can be good hosts. We're looking for people who are positive, upbeat,
[and] who are able to deal with the public effectively."