Fur Trader

Journey to the edge of the frontier and into the rugged world of the fur trader, a master of both commerce and survival. In an era when the untamed wilderness was a vast and profitable resource, the fur trade was a driving force behind colonial expansion. This exhibit focuses not on the furs themselves, but on the essential goods that made this daring business possible. Here you will find the durable blankets, razor-sharp hatchets, iron kettles, and other non-perishable items that were carried into the wild to be bartered for valuable pelts. Discover the tools of this dangerous trade and learn how these goods forged relationships between cultures and helped lay the groundwork for a new nation.