Sturgeon River House

Fur trapping and trading consisted of one of the main occupations of the original Nipissing tribe. In order to collect furs extensive travelling was required; south to barter with the Hurons and other tribes living south of Georgian Bay and north to the James Bay water system. Sometimes they would head east to the St.Lawrence River Valley to trade with other nations and tribes that had come there from as far south as the coast of Florida. The first white man involved in fur trapping in the Nipissing area was Jean Nicolas who lived here for a few years in the 1620’s. Late in the 18th century, the first fur trading post was opened. It was situated on an island on Lake Nipissing and was operated by Denis de la Ronde. Later this post was sold to the North West Company, formed by Montreal merchants. It was in the early 1820’s that the Hudson Bay Company took over the establishment. At that time the post was located at the mouth of the La Vase River and was called Fort La Ronde. Later it was moved to various locations on islands or on the north shore of Lake Nipissing. It was permanently settled on the west bank of the Sturgeon River, approximately 2.5 kilometers (a mile and a half) from Lake Nipissing thus becoming known as the Sturgeon River House. It closed its doors in 1879, was reopened temporarily the following year, closing again in 1882 when the railway track was built. The site of the Sturgeon River House was eventually sold to various settlers and the post fell into decay. To commemorate the centennial of the Canadian Confederation in 1967, Springer Township, the Town of Cache Bay and the Historical Restoration Committee of the Sturgeon Falls Secondary High School, erected the Sturgeon River House through the co-operation of the Governments of Ontario and Canada.

Chronological History

Sturgeon River House is an authentic Hudson’s Bay Company trading post site (1848-1879) nestled on the west bank of the Sturgeon River, two kilometers from Lake Nipissing in Northern Ontario. The Sturgeon River House Museum was founded in 1967 as part of a community centennial project that involved the former Township of Springer, the town of Cache Bay and Sturgeon Falls Secondary School. The following is a chronological development of the site and other pertinent information since the original construction.

1967 to 1980

The Museum is open on a seasonal basis by the Municipality with the help of local volunteers. The original site includes a rendition of a log Hudson’s Bay Company trading post enclosed by a palisade.

1980

A log homestead built in 1898 and owned by a local pioneer family is donated and transported to the museum site.

1982

The Municipality forms an advisory Museum committee to oversee the general management of the site and to establish a collection.

1984

A group of approximately 15 volunteers forms a Museum volunteer group in order to raise funds for the development of the Museum.

1985

The Charles family donates their family smithy and blacksmith collection to the Museum. A log building is dismantled and reconstructed within the palisade walls in order to house the collection.

1986

A small administration building is added to the site.

1988

An extension to the administration building is constructed to include a small exhibit room and handicap-accessible entrance.

1989

A modern 40’x40’ storage/stage structure is added to the site to provide artifact storage space and encourage cultural activities.

1991

The Municipality hires a full time curator as permanent staff to operate the Museum year-round.

1992

Permanent interpretative exhibits are created for the Hudson’s Bay Company post and the Maison Major.

1992

The Museum volunteers purchase the Trappers’ Museum collection consisting of approximately 200 trapping-related items and mounted furbearers.

1993

The Museum hires a full time administrative assistant for the Museum. The Association of Museum Volunteers is incorporated as a non-profit charity.

1995

The Museum receives a donation of a 75-acre parcel of land adjoining the Museum site from a local family, in order to establish a network of wetland walking trails. The Museum commences a 5-year plan to develop the site as a major tourist attraction.

1997

The Museum receives approval for a $1.6 million capital project for a site upgrade and expansion.

1998

The municipality hires a full time naturalist.

1998-2000

Capital Project Construction

1999

The Museum receives an additional 100 acres for nature trail development.

June 2000

Official Opening of Expanded Site.

September 2002

Exhibit “ Les pionniers de la langue française du Nipissing Ouest ”

The Museum now features two components, a 3-acre Museum site and 4 km of nature trails located on municipal and Crown lands. The trails are located in a provincially significant wetlands and waterfowl staging area known as the Cache Bay Wetlands. The Museum’s new home is a 2-level 12,000 sq. ft structure and surrounded by a 12-foot high by 700 ft-long palisade.

Our permanent interpretive units include 2,600 square feet of exhibits dedicated to the Hudson’s Bay Co., the fur trade, trapping and the biology of furbearers. The 30,000 sq. ft. inner court includes the Charles blacksmith shop exhibit and a viewing tower. In addition, a display highlighting the francophone pioneers of West Nipissing is located upstairs. Seasonal and special exhibits are planned for the 1,800 square-foot multi-purpose room. All exhibit spaces and storage meet the climate control standards as set forth by the Ministry of Culture.

Through the years, the Museum has relentlessly sought to improve, update and expand its horizons and its services. The results are highlighted in this chronology.