Have a blast this summer!

By Michael Bohms

Flintlock musket firing at Fort St. Joseph is more than just a flash in the pan! Visitors can now be part of the excitement in a new, hands-on experience: dressing as a voyageur with the Michilimackinac Company and firing a musket themselves.

Historical Interpreters have been sharing their knowledge of flintlock muskets with demonstrations at Fort St. Joseph for several years now. Visitors have been able to see the action of the lock, hear the blast of the musket, and smell the burning black powder as the cloud of smoke wafts in the air. Demonstrations include information about how the musket works and its role during the times of Fort St. Joseph, as well as questions from the audience. One of the more common questions from visitors at these demonstrations has been, “Can I try it? ”. Well, with a little training, and some official paperwork, the answer may be “Yes”.

Fort St. Joseph was a prominent British military post leading up to the War of 1812; however, we should also recognize the important strategic role it played in the fur trade. People from various backgrounds, such as military personnel, fur traders, and Indigenous allies, lived, worked, and gathered here. When war broke out during the summer of 1812, the British military at Fort St. Joseph had a limited number of soldiers and supplies, including the British Brown Bess musket. Fortunately for Captain Charles Roberts, and the roughly 45 soldiers, there were about 200 fur traders and over 400 Indigenous warriors that had gathered and were willing to help the British military in recapturing the former British fort on Mackinac Island.

Joining the North West Company and other independent fur traders in support of British North America was the Michilimackinac Company. From 1807-1815, this Montreal-based company had over 2,000 engagés sign voyageur contracts with the Michilimackinac Company to either work at or visit Fort St. Joseph, and they built several large buildings in the civilian community surrounding the fort. At the outset of the War of 1812, the Michilimackinac Company joined the fur traders’ effort by offering their trade guns, known as Northwest trade muskets, as well as many able volunteers.

This year, Fort St. Joseph is offering an immersive experience that allows participants to not only learn about voyageur contracts and flintlock muskets, but to sign-up as an engagé with the Michilimackinac Company and fire a replica of the most prevalent musket of the era: the Northwest trade musket. Participants will get to dress as a voyageur, receive hands-on training with an experienced historic weapons supervisor, and fire a flintlock musket under direct supervision. There will be opportunities for pictures both during and after the musket firing, and each participant will receive their signed contract, as well as the gunflint that they used as keepsakes.

Interested in firing a musket? More information about this immersive experience is available on the Fort St. Joseph website. Participants must be at least 16 years of age, and additional fees apply.

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