Greetings from Fort William Historical Park!
On behalf of the management and staff of Fort William Historical Park (FWHP), I would like to extend warm salutations.
Welcome to one of the largest living history attractions on the continent. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this facility, we re-create the activities at Fort William, inland headquarters for the North West Company from 1803-21. As Northern Ontario's premier tourism attraction, Fort William attracts visitors and media from all over the world.
While many attractions bill themselves as unique, Fort William truly was and is unique, in its depiction of one of the largest operations in the fur trade. With over 42 buildings on 25 acres, Fort William offers a rich tapestry of fur trade life, touching upon a wide variety of topics, from exploration to culture and crafts, medicine to business, domestic life to animal husbandry. We have many remarkable stories to tell.
FWHP is also a multi-functional facility. We host banquets, weddings, corporate retreats, community events, meetings and conventions, and major festivals such as Rock the Fort, the largest outdoor music festival ever staged in Northern Ontario. Held successively in 2005 and 2006, Rock the Fort attracted over 76,000 patrons, generating over $5 million in total economic impact. The festival also received the National Event of the Year award from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
In 2007, FWHP staged the region's first-ever pond hockey tournament, outdoor winter rock concert and the region's largest fireworks show during our Voyageur Winter Carnival. Later that same year, FWHP partnered with Nishnawbe Aski Nation in hosting the newly-created Anishnawbe Keeshigun, a weekend-long aboriginal festival that featured the region's first-ever competition pow-wow. The event has easily become the largest aboriginal festival held in Northern Ontario.
These achievements serve as illustrations of leadership and initiative. We are always looking for innovative ways of creating opportunities that benefit of our economy in Northwestern Ontario.
We hope that the unique setting and the amenities provided by our facility will enhance your visit with us. We wish that you will have an enjoyable experience at Fort William Historical Park.
Sincerely,
Sergio Buonocore
General Manager
