|
The
history of Canada’s national police force is showcased every
summer at The Fort — Museum of the North West Mounted Police.
The Fort — Museum of the North West Mounted Police tells the story
of the history of the North West Mounted Police, from its early
days in the 1870s to the world-renowned police force it is today
as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“The exhibits are very well done,” Fort Museum site manager Dawn
Lauder said. “They do reflect very well on the period and what it
was like to live back then.”
The history of the force begins with Sir John A. MacDonald,
Canada’s first Prime Minister.
Modelled after the Royal Irish Constabulary and the mounted rifle
units of the United States army, the North West Mounted Police
were created by an Act of Parliament on May 23, 1873 with the
purpose of bringing law, order and Canadian authority to
present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan, known at the time as the
North West Territories.
Nearly 300 officers and men departed Dufferin, Manitoba on July 18,
1874 on what became known as the great “March West.” With horses
and equipment in tow they arrived in southern Alberta in October.
The troops were able to build a permanent post before winter hit,
selecting an island in the middle of the Oldman River.
This post, named in honour of Col. James Macleod for his strong
leadership during the “March West,” served as the headquarters of
the entire police force until 1878, and the fort itself remained
in use for almost 10 years.
In 1883 a recommendation was made to build a new fort about four
kilometres west of the original post. The new fort, completed in
1884, afforded the Mounties uninterrupted views of all sides and
pulled the fort out of danger of flooding in the Oldman River.
From that post the North West Mounted Police helped stem the North
West Rebellion in 1885 and 10 years later had a presence in the
Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s.
The museum, located on westbound Highway 3 near downtown Fort
Macleod, stands now to preserve the heritage of the North West
Mounted Police. The main focus of The Fort — Museum of the North
West Mounted Police is the period between 1874 and 1884.
Artifacts, dioramas, photographs and other displays continue to
tell the story of all that is important to southern Alberta’s
history, from the Mounties to the First Nations people. Displays
focusing on uniforms worn by the Mounted Police, tools, weapons
and other items they used each day are highlighted at the museum.
The orientation gallery holds some of the earliest crests worn by
the Mounties, which hold their own story. Other displays in the
museum focus on trade and commerce in the early days of Fort
Macleod, medicine, ranching, the work of missionaries and
transportation.
The Blackfoot Gallery, which has been updated and expanded in
recent years, tells the history of First Nations people.
The story of Treaty 7 is also told in the gallery. One of the most
impressive artifacts is a pair of cuffs worn on the dress of a
Native woman during the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877.
The “Art of Adornment” exhibit explores the artistry of First
Nations decorative work to understand it as an expression of
spirituality. Dioramas of the original fort, barracks site and
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump are on display. For the past 34 years
the Fort Museum has featured a Musical Ride by its Mounted Patrol.
Riders dressed in replica uniforms perform at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.,
2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
“We can’t speak highly enough about our Musical Ride,” Lauder said.
“It is the only one in western Canada that is a daily ride in
period costume.”
Visitors have a chance this summer to develop a closer relationship
with the Mounted Patrol and its Musical Ride. There will be
opportunities for visitors to help the riders groom their horses
before the ride and cool them afterwards. People can also “adopt”
a horse with a donation to a specific horse.
“It makes it a little more personal for people,” Lauder said. Visit
www.nwmpmuseum.com for up-to-date details. |
