Fort William Historical Park
50 years of bringing life to history: 1973-2023
Welcome to Fort William Historical Park!
Fort William Historical Park features Fort William, one of North America's largest living history sites, and the state-of-the-art David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, home to one of the largest telescopes in Central Canada. Fort William Historic Park also offers year-round festivals and events, an RV and tent campground, in-person, virtual and overnight educational programs, and wedding and conference facilities.
Discover Fort William
The year is 1815, the place is Fort William. This the inland headquarters of the North West Company, the world’s largest fur trading enterprise. This is a place where cultures meet, and relationships are forged between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous newcomers. Fort William stands on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Indigenous people who have lived in harmony with the land for generations, and whose traditions, technologies and customs reflect their relationships with the forests, rivers and animals around them. The Anishinaabe share their invaluable knowledge and skills with their European partners and trade furs for European goods. Each summer, French-Canadian voyageurs, Scottish businessmen, Indigenous Peoples, and others from around the world gather at Fort William for the Great Rendezvous to discuss business, share news and renew friendships. Experience this unique place and time in Canadian history through the eyes of peoples past, who lived and worked around Fort William.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
For information and updates about our programs and services, call (807) 473-2344, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , find us on Facebook and Instagram @FortWilliamHP, or sign-up for our e-newsletter.
A Note to Our Visitors
Beginning May 8, 2023, we will reopen the Broadway Avenue entrance. The King Road entrance will be closed.
Our website, social media, e-newsletter, education program guide, catering and specialty services guide, and forms are currently under construction. Thank you for your patience.
Fort William Historical Park's 50th Anniversary
Throughout 2023 we'll be hosting a variety of programs and activities for this landmark event. Stay tuned for more details.
Great Rendezvous Celebration • July 8-16, 2023
Enjoy a variety of exciting programs and activities that celebrate the people who helped build Fort William Historical Park and its fur trade history, culminating in a weekend re-enactment.
- July 8-9: Celtic Days - Celebrate Fort William’s Scottish history and the broader Celtic culture.
- July 10: Northern Nature - Explore Pointe de Meuron, fur trade natural history and up into the cosmos!
- July 11: Farm & Food - Discover heritage farming and foodways and their ongoing significance.
- July 12: Art & Music - A celebration of historic Fort William's art scene alongside Thunder Bay's contemporary art scene.
- July 13-16: Great Rendezvous Historic Re-enactment - Rendezvous is a re-creation of the annual summer gathering held at Fort William over 200 years ago when it was the inland headquarters of the North West Company, which, at the time was the world's largest fur trading enterprise with posts stretching across North America. Registration package now available!
Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre proudly presents a Beaver Ball on behalf of William McGillivray, Chief Director of the North West Company in celebration of Fort William Historical Park’s 50th Anniversary!
Thursday, July 13, 2023
6:30 p.m. Symposium | 7 p.m. Dinner
Fort William Historical Park | Thunder Bay | Ontario | Canada
Tickets $100 per person
Once you've purchased your Beaver Ball tickets, you can make assigned seating arrangements for the event by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 807-473-2344.
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that Fort William Historical Park is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg of Anemki Wajiw (Thunder Mountain), Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850. We also recognize the historic and ongoing contributions of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Mikinaak Minis (Turtle Island, North America). We appreciate the privilege to share a part of their storied past on the lands that First Peoples have kept since time immemorial.
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Officially curated, the Canadian Signature Experiences are once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. They are offered by Canadians who are passionate to share their part of the country with you. |
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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in conjunction with the industry, including the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), has created a self-certified Safe Travel Stamp based on worldwide industry protocols to allow travellers to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience 'Safe Travels’. |
