School programs

The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site

Introduce students of different grade levels to educational programs and activities to be held on site or in the classroom.

These programs bring social sciences concepts to life in a stimulating learning environment.

Most requested

 


On-site activity

“The fur trade — what an adventure!” guided tour

 
Elementary school children take part in a rabaska voyageur activity during a school visit to the Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site.

Suggested content: students will experience the epic journey of indigenous trappers, French-Canadian voyageurs and European merchants during the fur trade era.

  • Guided tour of Lachine's old fur warehouse, where the journey to Western Canada began.
  • Role-play games allowing students to discover the key players in the fur trade chain and communication issues encountered.
  • Interpretation of maps to discover the trade.
  • Presentation of bartered items: clothing, tools, furs, and more.

Target groups: grades 3 to 6 of elementary school, and high school

Languages: English and French

Length of visit: 2 hours

Location: 1255, boul. Saint-Joseph, Lachine, Montréal (Québec) H8S 2M2

Period: April to June and September to November

Fees: see costs per student in the Fees section.

Reservations et information: book by email at commercefourrure-furtrade@pc.gc.ca or by phone at 514-637-7433.

Facilities: free parking with space for buses, outdoor picnic tables, indoor luncheon area (reservation required) and accessible restrooms. See Plan your visit for details.

Good to know: this activity is also available in a virtual version. See the Online workshops section below. It is also offered to French-language learning groups.

Interested in the history of the fur trade? Continue your adventure at another authentic location: the Obadjiwan–Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site. Come and relive this fascinating era with a school visit to an important point of exchange between Europeans and First Nations. Immerse yourself in this site steeped in 300 years of history with outdoor museological elements, guided tours and workshops. Find out more on the Obadjiwan–Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site's School Programs page.

Financial support

Experiences offered by Parks Canada are part of the culture and education resource directory (in French only). Financial support from the Government of Québec can be provided. Please refer to the ministère de l’Éducation Website (in French only).

 


In-class activities

Online workshops

Photo of a laptop computer on a desk in a classroom, with the Parks Canada logo on the screen. 

Parks Canada is offering a series of free online workshops throughout the school year for elementary and high school students.

Subjects covered: history, outdoors and nature & heritage conservation.

Registration: please send an email to commercefourrure-furtrade@pc.gc.ca or call 514-637-7433.

2024-2025 program: see the Online school workshops page.

 
 
Other school programs to discover

Many sites offer educational programs in Quebec: Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site, Manoir Papineau National Historic Site, Forges du Saint-Maurice National Historic Site, Fort Chambly National Historic Site, Coteau-du-Lac National Historic Site, and Obadjiwan–Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site.

Related links

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