 |
    |
|
|
|||||||
Fax 715-866-8081 |
Exhibits
- Displays - Attractions
|
|
|
Open May 24 thru August 31 The Visitor Center will houses two exhibits this year.The Folle Avoine Fur Trade Exhibit will provide an introduction to the historic site. Archeology displays, maps and fur trade artifacts will paint a picture of life along the Yellow River two hundred years ago. Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park is an eighty-acre, county-owned site operated by the Burnett County Historical Society. It is the original site of two British fur trade companies, which were built on the shore of Yellow River in 1802. The North West Company arrived first and built a trading post, two cabins, and a palisade fence. They established trading relations with the nearby Ojibwe and were soon joined by the XY Company, which erected one Trading post building. The Yellow River site was rediscovered in 1969, and in the late 1970s and early 1980s was studied by state archeologists. Based upon archeological research, the fur trade posts and cabins were reconstructed by the Burnett County Historical Society. Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park opened to the public in 1989. During the summer, tours of the historical site and a representation of a Woodland Indian Village are led by traditionally-dressed interpreters. The log Visitor Center, was originally the Snowbank Lodge in Ely, Minnesota. Inside the Visitor Center is a gift shop featuring books, crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs with a fur trade and Native American theme. The Visitor Center and Museum are open May 24 thru August 31. |
||
Along the Yellow River, just above Yellow Lake, the summer was growing old, fall more than a hint and winter on its way. Two different trading companies arrived at the same place on its banks. Both companies had sent men to establish wintering posts and they would build less then 100 feet apart. This was the only place on the continent where competing fur trading companies were such close neighbors. The North West Company arrived first in 1802. Its men built a trading post, a cabin and a stockade. In November of that year the, XY Company traders pulled their canoe onto the grassy bank of the river. Soon those men had cut trees and built a single structure combining trading post and living quarters. That winter, the XY traders moved inside the North West stockade fearing attack from members of the Dakota tribe, enemies of the Ojibwe. Both companies traded actively that winter. In the spring canoes were loaded with furs for the journey by water to Grand Portage on the north shore of Lake Superior. Traders came to Grand Portage from hundreds of miles in every direction eager for the summer rendezvous (an event we recreate at this site each summer). Here friends were reunited, good times enjoyed and business conducted. Furs from along the Yellow River and the well-watered land we now call Burnett County were carried to Montreal and then to Europe. These trading posts on the Yellow River were used again during the winters of 1803 and 1804. The North West Company added a third cabin to its compound and the XY Company rebuilt theirs. After another season of trading in 1805 with the local Ojibwe they loaded their canoes and pushed off into the Yellow River and never returned. The forts were abandoned and at some unknown time the structures were burned and stayed hidden for 165 years. The trading site was discovered in 1969. Archaeologists from the Wisconsin State Historical Society studied the site and retrieved artifacts during summer work in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Based on this archaeological evidence the fur trade posts were reconstructed by the Burnett County Historical Society. Many items collected from the dig are in our museum collection. Site tours are available Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. It is listed on the National Historic Register.
|
Fur Posts
|
||
|
Along side the fur trading posts
is an authentic recreation of a Woodland Indian village. Although
not based on archaeology, the present location of the Indian Village
is an accurate reflection of the close relationship that existed
between the European fur traders and their Native American trading
partners. Visitors can experience the life and culture of the
earliest Native American residents. Many bands of Ojibwe, Odawa,
Cree, Dakota, Fox and Sauk lived in and frequented the area for
hundreds of years. Turmoil between the Ojibwe and Dakota peoples
at this time in history was the primary reason for the unique
placement of the trading posts.
|
|||
The Burnett County Historical Society's History Research Library was established in 1999. During that summer the Palmer family donated a 1933 log cabin from their resort on Lipsie Lake to the historical society. Society volunteers dismantled the cabin and reconstructed it at Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park. In the spring of 2000 the archives were moved into the log cabin and on Memorial weekend the cabin was dedicated as The Palmer House. The desire of the society and the library volunteers to provide quality service led them to apply for and received a mentoring grant from the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board and the Wisconsin Historical Scoiety in 2001. Tim Ericson, assistant librarian for the Golda Meir Library, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, became the library's advisor. With his guidance, library volunteers created
In 2002, the Burnett County Historical Society received the prestigious Governor's Archives Award in recognition of the significant work done in establishing a sound and active history research library and in substantially increasing public access and usefulness of their archival collection. In 2004, author Carole Fure, Burnett County Historical Society's Library Coordinator, received the Local History Award of Merit from the Wisconsin Historical Society for her outstanding work in authoring The Power of Sand, Burnett County and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Fure was honored for the "telling of a compelling story – that needed to be told – in clear and concise text, graphics and photographs that capture the pathos of abandoned farmsteads, the vigor of young work crews, and the camaraderie of camp life." The Power of Sand is available for purchase from the Burnett County Historical Society. The library continues to seek support for its work in archival preservation. In 2004 they received a $400 matching grant for archival storage materials for the preservation of Dewey Township and Baker Land and Title Company Records. The archives, equipment and furnishings of the library have all been acquired through gifts and donations. Society volunteers staff the library, index archives and conduct research services. All donations, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated. With a donation of $40 we will label a reel of microfilm as donated by you. Make your check payable to The Burnett County Historical Society History Library and send to: The Burnett County Historical Society, 8500 County Road U, Danbury, WI 54830
(Available while supply lasts. Cannot be mailed.) Out of print books
Send book orders and check for the book amount plus $1.00 postage and handling to: The Burnett County Historical Society, 8500 County Road U, Danbury, WI 54830. Hours and Location Research Requests Include your mailing address so research results can be mailed to you.
|
Research Library
|
||
|
|
Send research request to Burnett County Historical Society, History Library, 8500 County Road U, Danbury, WI 54830, or email Research is done using library archives and off site resources if necessary. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for research response. We do not charge for research services, but to improve our service to you and others we request a modest donation for research services. The materials, newspapers, vital statistics, biographies, microfilm readers etc. contained in the history library have been acquired through gifts and donations. Historical Society members also donate research time. Please consider donating a copy of your research to the Burnett County Historical Society History Library. Your donation may be of great value to a future researcher. You may send to Burnett County Historical Society, History Library, 8500 County Road U, Danbury, WI 54830. Library Inventory If you have materials relevant
to Burnett County, consider donating to the Burnett County Historical
Society's History Library. By donating items, you are sharing
the county's history with the greater community. The Burnett County
Historical Society takes seriously its responsibility to care
for and preserve historical documents and to provide appropriate
access to them. If you have records you wish to donate, you may
contact the Burnett County Historical Society, History Library,
8500 County Road U, Danbury, WI 54830, call 715-866-8890 Subject List
|
||
Quilt Display in Karlsborg School
|
|
||
|
Coming Soon |
|
||
