Fort 91原创 National Historic Site, where Sir James Douglas proclaimed British Columbia a Crown colony, still has some of his possessions.
Those attending Douglas Day at the Fort on Nov. 19 can see his satchel, among the fort鈥檚 historical treasures.
On Nov. 19, 1858, Douglas made the Crown colony proclamation in Fort 91原创鈥檚 Big House. Douglas, born in Guyana to a black mother and a Scottish father, was the first governor of B.C.
Though Douglas Day is a provincial designation, 91原创 is one of the few communities that actually holds events.
At the Fort on Sunday, the public can enjoy heritage activities and demonstrations. They can also meet interpreters dressed in costumes to represent Judge Begbie, James Douglas, and a Royal Engineer.
Schedule:
11:00 a.m. - Guided Tour - Meet a costumed interpreter for a personal 30-minute history tour about the James Douglas and the Proclamation of British Columbia.
12:00 p.m. - Daily Feature 鈥 Proclamation Skit
1:00 p.m. - Historic Treasures - Fort 91原创 is full of hidden gems. Engage with intriguing items from our collections and learn the stories behind them. Today鈥檚 feature: James Douglas鈥 footstool and satchel!
2:00 p.m. - Food Program - 鈥淲hat鈥檚 for dinner?鈥 Explore the importance of natural resources and food production in Fort 91原创鈥檚 success. Get your hands dirty as we discuss the daily meals here at the fort.
3:00 p.m. - Meet a costumed interpreter for a personal 30-minute history tour about the James Douglas and the Proclamation of British Columbia.
Louis Riel Day
On Saturday, Nov. 18, the Fort marks Louis Riel Day in partnership with various Metis organizations.
The day will be packed with Metis cultural activities, from finger weaving to jigging to archery as well as the Fort鈥檚 regular events.
10:00 a.m. 鈥 1:00 p.m. - Beading, finger weaving, rattle making, children鈥檚 crafts (Exhibit鈥檚 Building)
10:15 a.m. - Storytelling (Servants鈥 Quarters)
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 鈥 Storytelling & Jigging with Marion & Fergus (Theatre)
11:00 a.m. - Talk on Louis Riel and Louis Riel鈥檚 Trail with Mike Hanly (Big House)
11:15 a.m. - Storytelling (Servants鈥 Quarters)
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 鈥 Spoon workshop with Maurice Guibord (Theatre)
12:00 p.m. 鈥 Bangers demonstration and samples (outside Big House)
12:30 p.m. 鈥 1 p.m. 鈥 Fiddle & jigging with Keith Hill & Aimee Fauteaux, Marion & Fergus (Theatre)
1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Flag Raising Ceremony (Theatre)
2:00 p.m. 鈥 Talk on history of Batoche and traditional plant uses with Joe Smith (Big House)
2:00 p.m. 鈥 5:00 p.m. Beading, finger weaving, rattle making, children鈥檚 crafts (Exhibit鈥檚 Building)
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 鈥 Spoon workshop with Maurice Guibord (Theatre)
2:15 p.m. - Storytelling (Servants鈥 Quarters)
2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. 鈥 Fiddling with Keith & Aimee (Theatre)
3:00 p.m. - Talk on Louis Riel and Louis Riel鈥檚 Trail with Mike Hanly (Big House)
3:15 p.m. - Storytelling (Servants鈥 Quarters)
3:30 p.m. 鈥 4:00 p.m. - Storytelling & Jigging with Marion & Fergus (Theatre)
4:00 p.m. 鈥 Talk on history of Batoche and traditional plant uses with Joe Smith (Big House)
4:15 p.m. - Storytelling (Servants鈥 Quarters)
4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Fiddle & jigging with Keith Hill & Aimee Fauteaux, Marion & Fergus (Theatre)
Admission during 2017 is free.