A few days ago we made a drive up the Minnesota North Shore to Grand Portage Heritage Center (see Spittin' Distance blog). At the visitor center we obtained a good overview of the small size of the Stockade and it's immense importance.
This painting shows some of the activities conducted in and around the complex,
and dioramas and other displays brought them to life.
The recreated stockage includes the pier, the NA village and the building outside the palisade (wood fence). Inside are the large building with the small cook shack behind and the garden.
The self-guided tour begins with the village
and warehouse,
and continues inside with the great hall and the cook shack.
Beehive oven with garden behind.
The great hall was a hotel. Most of the inside was dining area where deals were made, trades were completed and money made. Two small rooms occupied both ends of the hall. Behind the costumed interpreter
is this "hotel room". An identical room is on the other side.
The other end of the hall. The room on the right
is a general store of sorts.
Outside were a couple of displays. A large 20-man canoe on the right and
on the left a fur press. Weight and space are are key in shipping. This press can reduce a pile of 60 furs
to a bale this size.
To the right of the large canoe is the gate to the wharf.
View of the village and stockade from the pier.
That's the rest of the story.
Louise and Duane
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