Artifact of the Week - HBC Fur Press

Our featured artifact this week is the Hudson's Bay Company fur press, used in Peace River until 1955. After that, Leonard McArthur, a former fur buyer for the Hudson's Bay Company, kept it on his farm. When Bruce McPhail bought the McArthur farm, he decided to donate the press to the Peace River Museum and Archives.

This fur press was made in the 1880s in England and sent to Canada for use in the Peace River Hudson's Bay Company Store. It was used to press fur from various animals into bundles (sometimes called 'packs') that were sent out of the Peace Country and all the way to England. Someone would have to climb up on top of the press and turn the top bar of the screw mechanism. Turning that top bar pushed a plate down on top of the furs, compressing them into 90 pound bails. 

In the 80 years that the furs were transported out of this area, 47 million pelts made their way from the Peace Country to England. Beaver was the most desirable of the pelts, though fox and marten were also trapped. Beaver pelts were made into fashionable hats in England, while fox and marten furs were made into fashion accessories. 

PRMA 68.11 - The fur press set up with furs in the Mackenzie Gallery.  

The fur press is on display in the Mackenzie Gallery at the Peace River Museum and Archives. Near the fur press lurk several animals that trappers would have been keen to capture during the days of the fur trade.

Vintage Guns at the Peace River Museum

 

The Peace River Museum will be hosting local collector, Vern MacRoberts on Saturday, March 23rd from 2 to 4:30 pm. He will be bringing his fine collection of vintage firearms and Hudson's Bay artifacts. They will be available for viewing and to chat with Vern during that time. *EDIT: He will be speaking specifically to his collection at 3 pm*
His knowledge about the fur trade, trapping and antique firearms is extensive.

This is also the last day for viewing of our current exhibit: From Peace River to Paris: Fashionable Furs of our Century which focuses on historic and contemporary trapping as well as the fur industry over time.

Our next exhibit will launch in early April and will be curated by the Peace of Art Club. It is entitled: Peace River Art Club, 25 Years. Please keep an eye on our blog for more information!

Reminder: Alberta Trapper's Association President to speak at the Museum

Gordy Klassen, president of the Alberta Trapper's Association, is coming this weekend to the Peace River Museum to speak to historical and contemporary trapping in Alberta. He will be here on November 17th at 7pm and the event is free.

You can also visit Gordy Klassen's webpage at www.trappergord.com

We invite all our hunters, trappers and interested community members to come and hear Gordy speak!

Peace River Archives #87.1489.14

From Peace River to Paris: Fashionable Furs of our Century

Just in time for the winter months, we invite you to view our current exhibit "From Peace River to Paris – Fashionable Furs of the Century" featuring fur coats and accessories from our collection. The exhibit includes the story of trapping in northern Alberta, both from a historical and contemporary perspective. The opening reception will be held October 27th from 3 – 5pm with guests Dave Cummings from Fairview and our own Ruth Kidder speaking about their history with furs and trapping in the Peace at 3:30pm.
Excerpts from the Record Gazette newspaper demonstrate trapping activity in the 1950s:
1950-12-07  Little Red River - Trapping is underway. It is reported there will be a plentiful supply of fox while supplies of other furs will be moderate.
1951-01-18  Peace River District - Severe weather and heavy snow at the start of the winter season provided a setback to trapping operations, when combined with higher prices in most lines has made operations more attractive.
Squirrels continue to provide the bulk of the catch with weasel in short supply. Red and cross fox are reported to be in more plentiful supply than last year.
1951-06-14 - North Salt Prairie - Louis Auger came out from fur trapping Saturday. He says water and lakes are high, making it difficult to get furs this year.
Visit the Museum to read more about the Record Gazette coverage of trapping in the Peace.

As part of this exhibit, Alberta Trappers Association President, Gordy Klassen will be the next speaker at the Museum on November 17th, thanks to the support of the Peace River Trappers Local 1195.