Built in 1830 by the Hudson’s Bay Company, Lower Fort Garry is the oldest preserved stone fort in North America. The mammoth stone structure is situated on the western bank of the Red River and is 20 miles north of the original Fort Garry in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Lower Fort Garry is a national historic site of Canada.

Following the aftermath of the devastating flood in 1826 that destroyed Fort Garry, the governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company decided to find a safer location for the fort. The then governor, George Simpson, chose Lower Fort Garry because of its high ground and favorable location. However, the fort could not become an administrative center because a vast number of the population objected to the new location. Hence, Upper Fort Garry had to be rebuilt again to serve the purpose.

Today, the Lower Fort Garry national historic site features a variety of programs for the entertainment of the entire family. It conducts living history programs from May 15 to Labor Day, as well as guided tours of the fort in English and French. The site is available for tours, weddings and meeting throughout the year.

The highlight of the visit to Lower Fort Garry is the living history programs where artists recreate the scenes of the mid-nineteenth century in the Red River Valley. Visitors can also participate in a family scavenger hunt or watch an interactive exhibit at the reception center.

Lower Fort Garry has a historical importance in Canada also because it is where Treaty 1 was signed between the Crown and the Ojibwa and Swampy Cree of Manitoba.

It is a great tourist attraction as well as a popular destination for school field trips learning more about Canadian culture and heritage.