Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada

School Programs

Grades 4-8: Fur Trade to Colony

What do barrels, Hawaiians, and gold have to do with the fur trade? Everything! Discover how Fort Langley’s fur trade changed over time, and diversified its workforce and trade goods over time to remain profitable. Meet the blacksmith, build a bucket, examine European and Aboriginal resources, and explore the diverse workers’ homes. Because of the fur trade’s success at Fort Langley, the British were able to stand firm through the flood of newcomers during the Fraser River Gold Rush and proclaim BC as a Crown Colony at Fort Langley in 1858.

Learning Objectives

• Identify effects of early contact between Aboriginal societies and European explorers and settlers
• Compare bartering and monetary systems of exchange
• Describe the significance of the Fraser River gold rush in the development of BC & Canada 

Schedule

• Availability: September to June
• Program Length: 2 hours
• Mon-Thur: 10 am–noon & 12:30–2:30 pm
• Flexible Fri: 9:30–11:30 am & noon–2 pm

Fees

• Youth: $3.90
• One adult (including teachers and parent chaperones) per five students is free.
• Additional adults: $6.55

Teacher Resources

• Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada Fact Sheet
• Visitor Information