Fort Langley National Historic Site, Langley

One of Fort Langley National Historic Site's most important areas is the space which is now occupied by Big House - a replica of the original building which once stood there and was the site where British Columbia was proclaimed a colony at a ceremony on November 19, 1858. Visitors can come inside to see what the building may have looked like and see the large mural which depicts the historic ceremony which made British Columbia a colony. CREDIT: Venture Vancouver, SOURCE: www.venturevancouver.com

Big House, the white building at the top of the hill at Fort Langley National Historic Site was the site where British Columbia was proclaimed a colony at a ceremony on November 19, 1858.

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Type:

Museum

Season:

All Seasons

Weather:

All Weather

Time:

2 hours

Cost:

Cost of Fort Langley National Historic Site: Birthplace of British Columbia

What to bring:

Camera, Questions, Sense of Curiosity

Known as "The Birthplace of British Columbia", Fort Langley National Historic Site, located on the edge of the Fraser River, was the site of early British Columbia's most important events, the ceremony which proclaimed British Columbia a colony on November 19, 1858. Today, Fort Langley National Historic Site offers several buildings to explore (including the Storehouse which is the only original building on site as well as the oldest on Mainland British Columbia), exhibits, demonstrations, historic items, farm animals and costumed interpreters. Throughout the year the Fort also offers interesting historic events for all ages to learn about the early settlement of Fort Langley!

Fort Langley National Historic Site, "the Birthplace of British Columbia", located on the edge of the Fraser River, is one of British Columbia's first settlements. Today, the Fort is operated by Parks Canada and offers a look into the province's history through exhibits, buildings, demonstrations, food, events, holiday activities and costumed interpreters.

Fort Langley was established in 1827 by the Hudson's Bay Company to provide a gateway for fur trading in the unexplored wilderness of British Columbia. Trade relations with the local native population led to the procurement of furs, salmon and cranberries to send back to Europe - however, it was Fort Langley's strategic location which led to its growth through historic events such as the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush (1858) which made the Fort a crucial supply stop along the Fraser River. Its biggest contributions to the Province were political. Fort Langley played a key role in the establishment of the 49th Parallel (the border between Canada and the United States and on November 19, 1858 the Fort hosted the ceremony which proclaimed British Columbia a colony, earning it its title: "the Birthplace of British Columbia".

Technology such as Paddle wheelers, trade competition and the establishment of the colony of New Westminster led to the abandonment of the Fort which was deserted in 1886. Almost fifty years later, in 1923, the Canadian Government recognized the site where Fort Langley last stood as a site of national historical importance. A small museum operated out of the Storehouse - the only remainder of the old Fort and the oldest building on Mainland British Columbia - until in 1955 when the Government of Canada rebuilt the site, opening to the public as a National Historic Site in 1978.

Fort Langley National Historic Site is an adventure for all ages. Open year round, the Fort is a spectacular place to learn about early life in British Columbia with blacksmith and barrel making demonstrations, houses furnished as they would have been over a hundred years ago, a small farm and garden, a theatre, exhibit building, cafe, Big House, the replica of the building where the province was proclaimed a colony, bastions and the fortifications (the Fraser River can be seen across the marsh) to explore and of course, the Storehouse, the only original building on site which is filled with goods that were bought, traded and sold during the Fort's era (map). Annual events offer music, activities, celebrations and reenactments for the public to enjoy and in most cases take part in!

See where it all started along the Fraser River at Fort Langley National Historic Site, the Birthplace of British Columbia!

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A visit to Fort Langley National Historic Site's oldest (and only) original building (also recognized as the oldest building on Mainland British Columbia), the Storehouse, allows people to get an up close look at the supplies and trade items that enticed people to the wilds of British Columbia. A large collection of furs is one of the Storehouse's biggest attractions as visitors can touch and ask questions about this valuable trade item.
One of the many buildings visitors can explore at Fort Langley National Historic Site in Fort Langley, British Columbia is the Cooperage which was where barrels were built to store goods to be shipped back to Europe. Many tools, wood and other barrel making materials and equipment can be seen throughout the building.
Fort Langley National Historic Site in Fort Langley, British Columbia offers a colonist view of the region which was dominated by the surrounding river, forest and mountains. The Fort provides a unique perspective of British Columbia's early history with costumed interpreters in many of its buildings such as the Cooperage which was where barrels where built for storage and shipping.
With several buildings to explore, the Fort Langley National Historic Site in Fort Langley, British Columbia offers a unique opportunity to experience life in the region during the 1800s when food and supplies were unreliable, when fur was a valuable commodity and the wilds of British Columbia were not yet discovered. Explore the hands-on exhibits as well as the more contemporary Exhibit building which provides a look at the history of the Fort and some of its driving forces.
Visitors to Fort Langley National Historic Site on Fort Langley, British Columbia can explore the southern end of the Fort which is the location of a small garden and the animal pens which hold a small group of chickens, goats and pigs. These gardens and animals provided food and fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables which were vital to the diets of the new colonists.
A high lookout was imperative for protection and Fort Langley was no different. During its early years, the Fort had three Bastion - wooden huts connected to the fortifications - for safety overlooking its main entrance (the Fraser River) and surroundings. Today, visitors can see two bastions at Fort Langley National Historic Site in Fort Langley, British Columbia which can be explored and learned about.
With over half a dozen buildings, Fort Langley National Historic Site in Fort Langley, British Columbia, there is plenty to explore inside and out! Buildings such as the Cooperage and the Storehouse provide a unique learning opportunity about British Columbia during the late 1800s and life in its untamed wilderness.
Fort Langley on the edge of the Fraser River was one of the first fledgling settlements in British Columbia and is now a National Historic Site (Fort Langley National Historic Site) for visitors to explore and enjoy with period costumed interpreters, restored buildings and more.


Location of Fort Langley National Historic Site: Birthplace of British Columbia

Use the interactive map below to locate and explore the areas around Fort Langley National Historic Site: Birthplace of British Columbia

23433 Mavis Avenue


Map of Langley

Click the brown GEMS on the map to navigate to the other activities within this region

Things to do in Langley

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