Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site is officially open for the visitor season
News release
Free admission for youth at Parks Canada places starting in 2018
May 24, 2018 St. Andrew’s, Manitoba Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada’s places represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
Millions of Canadians celebrated Canada 150 with free admission to Parks Canada’s places in 2017 and more Canadians than ever before had amazing experiences. Building on that success, the Government has announced free admission to Parks Canada’s places for youth aged 17 and under, starting in 2018 and beyond. This will make discovering nature and connecting with our history easier and more affordable for families.
Through the Parks Canada Discovery Pass, families and groups will have unlimited opportunities to visit national parks, marine conservation areas, and historic sites throughout the year.
Beautiful Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site offers visitors the opportunity to experience life during the booming 1850s fur trade era as Parks Canada opens this treasured Manitoba site for another season of hands-on history you can taste, touch and feel!
This summer, Parks Canada continues important conservation work on many of the buildings at the Fort, however, a portion of the site remains open for interpretive programming and tours, which includes the popular Blacksmith Shop and Indigenous Encampment.
Our friendly costumed interpreters are ready to welcome visitors to the site with specialized tours and historical workshops. Visitors can whip up a cup of heritage hot chocolate, create Indigenous jewelry, or make authentic nineteenth century candles. This year, a new, family-friendly evening Campfire Program will allow folks to taste fresh bannock cooked over an open fire, engage in traditional stories, and enjoy music and games from days of yore. As always, Lower Fort Garry will celebrate Canada Day with free admission, self-guided tours and, of course, cake!
Parks Canada is proud to continue our annual Treaty One Commemoration event on August 3rd – an event that honours the traditional ties that local First Nations people have with the site where Treaty No.1 was made nearly 150 years ago. Everyone is welcome to learn about treaties and the site’s Indigenous history, and admission to Lower Fort Garry will be free for all visitors on this day!
We encourage the public to visit our website or call us at 204-785-6050 for updated information when planning their 2018 visit to Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site. Visitors are also encouraged to download the popular Parks Canada’s mobile app and follow us on social media for more information about the breathtaking locations, and hidden gems at national parks, marine conservation areas, and historic sites.
Quotes
“This year we are celebrating families with free admission for youth aged 17 and under. We want to inspire youth to discover, connect, and protect Canada’s remarkable nature and history. And as always, we encourage all visitors to plan their trips and discover new and exciting destinations across the country by consulting Parks Canada’s website, or downloading the Parks Canada’s Mobile App for a list of hidden gems and other unique and memorable ways to experience our national treasures.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
Quick facts
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Parks Canada manages a nation-wide network of 171 national historic sites, 46 national parks, one national urban park, and four national marine conservation areas.
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Beginning in 2018, Parks Canada will return to fee-based admission. Admission fees will not increase over 2016 levels.
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Parks Canada will continue to offer free admission to new Canadian citizens for one year through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Cultural Access Pass Program.
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Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site is commemorated both for its role as a Hudson’s Bay Company post and supply and distribution centre for the fur trade and as the place where Treaty No. 1 was made. The site was also the first training base of the North-West Mounted Police and is recognized as one of the finest collections of early stone buildings in Western Canada.
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The Government of Canada’s Federal Infrastructure Investment program supports infrastructure work within national historic sites and national parks across Canada. Completing this work means that a portion of the historic buildings and grounds will have limited public access for the 2018 season.
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Canadians are encouraged to order their Parks Canada Discovery Passes online. Discovery Passes are also available at Parks Canada entry gates and visitor centres. Please visit the Parks Canada’s website for more information. As in the past, our partners, such as Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), will be selling Discovery Passes as of January 2018. Please visit the webpage of a partner location near you for details.
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Enter Parks Canada’s Discover Canada contest for a chance to win an amazing trip to Canada’s west coast and other bi-weekly prizes, including Discovery Passes, merchandise and more. In collaboration with our proud partners: MEC, CIBC and Air Canada.
Associated links
Contacts
Jodi Duhard
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Manitoba Field Unit, Parks Canada Agency
204-984-1758
jodi.duhard@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca