Explore the complex history of this strategic outpost, where cultures collided and empires rose and fell.
Perched on the shore of Saint John Harbour, Fort La Tour National Historic Site (Menaquesk) has borne witness to 4,000 years of human activity, from Indigenous ceremonies to French colonization.
In 1631, Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour built Fort Sainte-Marie, a fortified trading post, to control access to the rich interior. This pivotal site was a hotbed of conflict between French factions vying for control of Acadia. Relive the fort’s final stand in 1645, when Françoise Marie Jacquelin, La Tour’s wife, valiantly defended it against all odds to the very end.
After its abandonment, the site saw new life as Portland Point, a settlement established in the 1760s that later supported British refugees fleeing the American Revolution.. Later, it became a hub for shipbuilding and industry. Today, we remember Fort La Tour for its significant impact on the region’s heritage, a testament to the power of cultural exchange and resilience.
Visit the exhibit to discover the layers of history that have shaped this national historic site, and reflect on the lessons that continue to resonate with us today.