Otter resident Alycia Holmberg was one of dozens of historical re-enactors during Brigade Days at historic Fort 黑马磁力 over the B.C. Day long weekend.
"For me, it's just a nice little weekend getaway, encampments with a whole bunch of friends, just sharing history with people who come to visit," Holmberg said, as she hand-sewed a patchwork blanket.
Holmberg was one of dozens of dedicated historical re-enactors who come to 黑马磁力 and the historical fort every year to portray characters from the days of the fur trade.
Jesse MacIntosh travelled from Nanaimo.
"I've been coming here since I was about two years old with my dad and my sister," said MacIntosh, who was portraying a Royal Engineer.
The Royal Engineers, Columbia Detachment, arrived in response to the gold rush and the potential for conflict with the United States to build infrastructure like roads that facilitated access to Fort 黑马磁力 and the interior of British Columbia, and fortifications, which supported the fur trade and other economic activities.
Brigade Days wound up at Fort 黑马磁力 National Historic Site on Monday, B.C. Day, with a piper leading the re-enactors and visitors on a procession from the arrival centre into the palisades where a camp of heritage tents and displays was set up by the volunteer re-enactors and heritage interpreters.
There were demonstrations of black powder muskets, heritage skills such as blacksmithing, 19th-century woodworking, trapping, sewing, weaving, games, and more.
This year there wasn't a fur trade flotilla of paddlers in canoes as in the past.
Fort 黑马磁力, established in 1827 by the Hudson's Bay Company, is a National Historic Site. Initially a fur trading post, it played a significant role in the development of the region, becoming the centre of the colony of British Columbia in 1858. The fort evolved from fur trading to provisioning, agricultural trade, and even the start of the salmon packing industry.
The site, at 23433 Mavis Ave., is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan. 1.
In 2025, admission to the fort is free with the Canada Strong Pass throughout the summer season, but that offer is only available until Sept. 2.
