Earlier this summer, we visited Forts Folle Avoine in northern Wisconsin and I wrote about how the costumed interpreters played the historic sport of lacrosse.
The fort is built on the site of an old fur trading camp from the 1800’s, and the interpreters do an excellent job of reenacting the characters that lived in the camp 100 years ago.
This is the owner of the largest of the two trading companies in the post – he was a colorful character who practiced many policies we find in modern commerce. He explained in an entertaining way the great deal we could all get on a shot gun, along with the very high prices we’d need to pay for the gunpowder to use it. He’s also responsible for introducing alcohol to the local Woodland Indian village.
A Woodland Indian village is built beside the forts, just as it was from 1802-1805.
Traders are set up in camps, with goods like the pots below. They traded mostly for beaver pelts, until the area was completely trapped out and the fort was abandoned.
Even children participated in the interpretation, creating a realistic look at the camp, as well as an excellent opportunity for these children to experience rustic life like it was here in the early 1800’s.
But our kids’ favorite character was this one, a voyageur with a French accent, who thought nothing of sharing our sandwich, much like would have been done in a communal setting like this one. As we took our lunches out to eat them on the bench, he took a bite of my son’s sandwich, then took a few Doritos from Craig’s friend as well.
Of course, I just giggled and snapped the photos.
What a hilarious introduction to fort life in the 19th century. One we’ll never forget.
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Tags: trading camp, voyageur, Wisconsin
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11:09 am
This last photo has so much personality captured in it – I LOVE it. I also love that someone else can relate to the “just missed it moment” regarding cameras!
Hugs
Holly
11:22 am
Another great find and what a fine thing for the kids. I have to ask though, what is the dude in the white shirt wearing—or not wearing?
11:44 am
What great fun. I can remember my folks taking me to places like this when I was a kid and now I find myself going to such places with my kids.
That last photo is great.
I hadn’t noticed the apparent lack of pants on Mr. White Shirt until I read Jeanna’s comment – thanks for the optic damage (dripping with humorous sarcasm, if you could’t tell).
12:00 pm
I would love a list of all of the educational places you’ve gone!! lol (seriously!)