
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 November 11, 2022, we will reopen the King Road entrance and close the Broadway Avenue entrance for the winter months.
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.
Great Rendezvous Historic Re-enactment • July 14-16, 2023
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!
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.