What We Do
Fort Calgary is unique. It is a national, provincial and municipal historic site that marks the original location of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) Fort built in 1875 at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. It is the symbolic hub and heart of the community. It is the authentic lens through which Calgary’s history is interpreted.
People have been coming to this site for thousands of years, and today it is a major attraction in the rapidly developing neighbourhood of East Village. Located on 40 acres of parkland on the eastern edge of downtown Calgary, our outdoor site provides access to Riverwalk along the Bow and Elbow Rivers, a constructed wetland, a community garden that donates produce to the Drop-In Centre, and a place to contemplate the city’s origins in a beautiful setting.
Inside, we offer temporary and permanent exhibits exploring Calgary’s diverse history in our Interpretive Centre. RCMP Veterans volunteer countless hours sharing their personal experiences with the Force, giving visitors an authentic link to the Fort’s past. Meeting and banquet facilities are available to celebrate, plan and create events that add to the stories of the people and organizations of Calgary.
Each year, thousands of school children from Calgary and the surrounding area visit our Learning Centre to participate in hands-on programming with direct links to the Alberta Social Studies, Language Arts and Science curriculum. Our fun, interactive programs led by trained facilitators encourage inquiry-based learning and critical thinking about history and the environment.
A short stroll across the Elbow leads to the Deane House, the former home of Captain Richard Burton Deane, the Fort’s last Commanding Officer, and the only remaining building from the Mounted Police era. The Deane House, currently closed for rehabilitation as part of our MAKE HISTORY Capital Campaign, offers a restaurant featuring fresh, local cuisine. Also under restoration is the Hunt House, once the residence of the Hudson’s Bay Company Factor and the oldest house in Calgary on its original location.