JC. Princen Fort Edmonton Park is the largest living museum in Canada and it may take quite a few visits and return visits for you to appreciate the recreation of Canada’s past. It is an intriguing as well as interesting walk down memory lanes as you get the see what Edmonton looked like at various stages in its history from the time it was a fur trade post up to the glorious days when it became a metropolitan city after the first world war.
Here, you can see the locations of some the first fur trading posts, see how a beaver hat is made, see an old fashioned soda fountain, and have a picture of yourself taken in the back drop of an old fashioned setting.
There are four areas in the park corresponding to different periods in the history of Edmonton and many of the structures you get to see in the park are originals. The park is operated by interpreters who wear period costumes. You can enjoy free steam engine train rides from the entrance of the park to the Fort and free street car rides, period rides in wagons, stagecoaches, ponies, and buggies.
1846 Fort – Fur Trade Era
The first phase in Edmonton park is the Hudson’s Bay Company fort, which represents the fur trade era. The fort has been rebuilt using a scale plan diagram drawn by Mervin Vavasour, a British Lieutenant. There are several notable features in this section such as the replica of a York Boat and an aboriginal camp just outside the palisade of the fort. This Cree camp represents the indigenous First Nations, who traded in fur and provisions.
1885 Street – The Settlement Era
The1885 street represents the beginning of a town in Edmonton and the development of self-sustaining farms. In this section you can see the establishment of the printing press media and the telegraph and also references to the North-West Rebellion of 1885. Visitors get to see covered wagons, reproduction of the Jasper House Hotel, and the original structure of the McDougall Methodist Church.
1905 Street – The Municipal Era
In this section you get to see instances that verify the economic boom experienced by the Edmonton. However, since it lacked housing facilities for the large influx of newcomers, it lead to the development of the tent city, which is also shown in the park.
Yet another notable display is the house of Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first Premier of Alberta. This house was moved to this location from its current one in south Edmonton.
1920 Street – The Metropolitan Era
This street shows life in Edmonton during the First World War and the times that followed. You get to see a replica of Blatchford Field which was the first ever “Air Harbor” in Canada. Also in this section is The Mellon Farm, which is the only structure that is original to the park site.
Fort Edmonton Park
Address: 7000 143 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 4P3, Canada
Phone: +1 780-496-7381
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