Fort Langley Tourist Attractions
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Fort Langley, strategically well-placed near the mouth of the Fraser River, was built in 1827 as the first permanent outpost of the Hudson's Bay Company. George Simpson, the then Governor of British Columbia, thought the Fraser would become an important connecting link with the countryside beyond, but in fact this was not to be so, mainly because of the sheer and insurmountable Fraser Canyon. As a result the trading post lost importance, and even the Cariboo gold-rush passed it silently by. In 1839 the Fort Langley outpost was burned down, but was rebuilt in the following year. In 1886 the Hudson's Bay Company closed down this outpost.After a very quiet period, however, the settlement developed to become the center of the "Langley prairie", where agriculture and farming, particularly dairy-farming, now predominate.Renovation of the fort began in 1955 when laying out the Fort Langley National Historic Park was begun.
Fort Langley National Historic Site
5 km (3 mi.) north of the TransCanada Highway is the partially reconstructed old Hudson's Bay Company trading post on the banks of the Fraser River. Now accessible to the public it is known as Fort Langley National Historic Site.4 km (21/2 mi.) further downstream is Fort Langley. The only preserved building is the former general store, which still reflects the style of the 19th c. It was in the "Big House" (officers' mess) here that British Columbia was declared a British Crown Colony in 1858. James Douglas was its first governor.Inside the renovated Fort Langley it is possible to get a good idea of how the fur-traders and trappers lived along the Canadian west coast in the mid-19th c.Employees at Fort Langley National Historic Site enthusiastically act out "Living History", portraying typical scenes from everyday life as it was in this Hudson's Bay Company fort.Make a deal for furs on the very spot where First Nations people tradesalmon, furs, and cranberries for Hudson's Bay Company goods. Sign aproclamation where British Columbia was proclaimed a colony.
Langley - Canadian Museum of Flight
The Canadian Museum of Flight houses over 25 aircraft both static and flying, as well as various engines. The Kids Room allows children to learn by touch and feel how an aircraft flies, and what makes an engine work. The Canadian Museum of Flight possesses the only displayed Handley-Page Hampden in the world. The history and lives of some of the most famous pilots in Canadian History including Margaret Fane Rutledge, Art Seller, and Dr. Jack Pickup, the "Flying Doctor".In addition to exploring the history of aviation the museum also has an Aviation Art Gallery, with some of the art work available for purchase. The proceeds from sales go to support the Canadian Museum of Flight.
Langley Centennial Museum & National Exhibition Center
Neighboring the British Columbia Farm Machinery Museum is the Langley Centennial Museum & National Exhibition Center which displays objets d'art and everyday articles used by the coastal Salian tribes as well as relics of the pioneer age.Learn about the early explorers through the Fort Langley area, the Native people, the fur traders and more. The Langley Centennial Museum and National Exhibition features everything from recreated period living spaces from the past to modern science displays in its changing exhibits.
British Columbia Farm Machinery Museum
In the British Columbia Farm Machinery Museum visitors can view numerous examples of old engines and equipment that were once used in agriculture, forestry and fishing in the Fraser region.The museum explores the history and development of farm equipment. Included in the displays at the British Columbia Farm Machinery Museum is an old crop dusting plane, old ploughs, carriages and more.
