Fort QuAppelle Museum

Nestled beside the Qu’Appelle River in the heart of Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, the Fort Qu’Appelle Museum offers a warm and engaging gateway to prairie heritage. Housed on the actual site of the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post established in 1864, the museum weaves together stories of First Nations, the fur trade, early policing, public health, and settler life.

From its origins in the Hudson’s Bay Company Chief Factor’s residence to modern extensions visitors enter a timeline ranging from Indigenous artifacts and early Hudson’s Bay Company trade relics to North West Mounted Police displays and local area history. One gallery delves into the history of Fort San, the tuberculosis sanatorium on nearby Echo Lake (View our photo's of the site HERE). Quirky items like a carved wooden items, a replica “crown”, vintage movie projectors, and a player piano give the museum a delightfully curious character.

Key exhibits within the museum:

• Insight into local Indigenous heritage, including artifacts from Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and Métis Nations tied to Treaty 4, which was first signed at Fort Qu’Appelle in 1874
• Explore the fur trade era and early settlement, the arrival of the North West Mounted Police, and the transition to agricultural development through engaging exhibits.
• Discover medical history, particularly the story of Fort San and the province’s TB treatment legacy - reflected in vintage medical equipment.
• Encounter unique curiosities, including handcrafted wood art, vintage cinema gear, and personal mementos, making this museum stand out among small-town historical sites.

With its deep connection to the region's history and culture, the Fort Qu’Appelle Museum is a must-see for anyone looking to discover the rich tapestry of the Qu’Appelle Valley. The blend of heritage, artifacts, and storytelling makes it an ideal stop on a summer day.