Hawk Bell - GRPO 14419 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Hawk bells were originally used as part of falconry equipment Europe before being utilized as fur trade goods when they were introduced to North America in the 16th century. This 18th century example is made of... More
Hand Forged Iron Hammer - GRPO 8228
This hand-forged hammer may have been used by the North West Company blacksmith at the Grand Portage depot in the late 18th century. The tool is bent to form an eye for accommodating a handle and measures 11.1 ... More
Padlock - GRPO 166 - National Parks Gallery
Handmade, heart-shaped sheet iron padlock with heavy arched loop. The padlock measures 11.0 cm long, 8.7 cm wide, and 2.3 cm thick. The keyhole is 2.5 cm. This piece was recovered during archeological investig... More
Pigeon Egg Bead - GRPO 357 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
This large opaque white-colored bead measures 2.8 cm long with a 2.0 cm maximum diameter. This bead was recovered in 1970 during archeological excavations of the North West Company kitchen structure in the Gran... More
Horn Comb - GRPO 10742 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Over 160 horn combs appear on the 1797 North West Company inventory of goods on hand at the Grand Portage depot. This example here measures 6.3 cm long and 3.7 cm tall.
Mainspring - GRPO 7007 - National Parks Gallery
Ferrous metal musket mainspring fragment recovered during archeological excavations of the Grand Portage depot in 1963. Mainsprings were internal components of the lock mechanism and would flex based on the mus... More
Canoes Come Ashore - National Parks Gallery
North West Company voyageurs and partners arriving at the Grand Portage depot.