THUNDER BAY — The Fort William Historical Park gates have opened for the season this weekend.
The park is now open seven days a week, offering guided tours by appointment until June 30 and will be open for guests to explore on their own beginning in July.
Jason Boesche, the Fort William Historical Park’s program manager, said they’ve had quite a few visitors in from out of town.
“A few German speakers, a few people from the US, it’s a really interesting part of Thunder Bay’s history and culture. So, if you’re visiting the city, you really can’t not come out to visit the Fort,” said Boesche.
He said when visitors come to experience the site, whether they’ve been there before or are brand new, there’s always something unique and different going on across the park.
“Visiting with people in their homes, who would have been living and working here a couple 100 years ago, or having something to eat in the canteen restaurant operated by the Chanterelle or even just stopping by the gift shop and finding something unique to bring home from your adventures here,” said Boesche.
“There’s a lot to see, a lot to do, a lot of fun and interesting people to interact with.”
For the living history program, he said visitors can come out and explore the site with a character in costume who lived and worked there 200 years ago.
They also have an opportunity to visit the Anishinaabe encampment or go out to the farm to see the animals, he added.
While it is a bit chillier this weekend, Boesche said, the friendly farm animals are there to greet visitors and of course, all the staff are trying to get visitors involved in different activities.
“There’s some fresh bread baking in the bakery right now, so I think everyone’s having a great day despite the weather,” said Boesche
Boesche said the park also has quite a few special events taking place this summer, including Canada Day and the Great Rendezvous in July and Anishinaabe Keeshigun and Celtic Day in August.
If interested in exploring outer space, he added that people can also come out and view the Perseid meteor shower that’s taking place in August.
For entry to the historic site, the park provides daily admission prices and a season pass with year-round admission of $50 per adult or $90 per family of four.
The park also offers free admission for Indigenous peoples, military personnel and veterans holding a CFOne card or VSC and support persons with a PAL card.
