Museum of the Fur Trade

Museum of the Fur Trade The fox-in-circle. The museum's tradmark (above), originally served as an inspector's mark on guns m

“From the era of the American Revolution to the end of the War of 1812, Britons and Indians found that they were to a la...
08/25/2026

“From the era of the American Revolution to the end of the War of 1812, Britons and Indians found that they were to a large extent natural, if often uneasy, allies against their common enemy, the United States. There was no official alliance in arms between the Indian tribes and the Crown, but Britain regarded American expansion as a threat both to its North American colonies and to its political traditions, while Indians saw their lands, culture, and existence imperiled by the growth of the new nation. During the Indian wars against the Republic, Britain watched from the wings, prompting the tribes with advice and supplies. In almost every tribe there were pro-American as well as pro-British factions; but many Indians, and the British authorities generally, recognized that in unity lay their best hope of restricting American expansion. The community of objectives was underlined by British fir-trading interests that wished to see the Indians preserve their lands against the tide of American settlement.”

~Crown and Calumet: British-Indian Relations, 1783-1915, by Colin G. Calloway (1987) — Chapter 8: “Indians as Allies.”

"SATURDAY, August 20th.—At six, practiced at the gun till a quarter past eight. Went around to arrange with the farmers ...
08/20/2026

"SATURDAY, August 20th.—At six, practiced at the gun till a quarter past eight. Went around to arrange with the farmers for flour. They will begin to thrash out their wheat on Monday. I promised them every assistance. At ten, the Michigans were drilled. At 2 P. M., got the other three pounder mounted, and went out in brigade at four o’clock, practicing sham fighting till six, when we returned to the fort. At half past three P. M., three young Renards arrived with a pipe, they say, from the Sauks, who send me word that the Americans were on their way up here in barges. They say they do not deceive me, three different couriers having seen the barges above the Cap au Gris ten days ago. The Sauks request me to go down to the Rapids with all the forces here, and meet the enemy there, and at the same time take them ammunition and guns. I told them I could give them an answer in the morning, as they told me this news at seven o’clock in the evening. I cannot put faith in this report. The couriers cannot inform me the number of the enemy’s barges, nor can they even tell me the number of young Sauks that brought the pipe to the Renard village. They ask for ammunition and guns, two articles they have been repeatedly told that we have none; and Col. McKay, when he gave the Epervier Noir, or Black Sparrow Hawk, the last present, told him positively he need not expect any further supply of powder till the reinforcement came out. All these circumstances considered, I conceive it to be a made up story of the Renards and Aile Rouges or Red Wings, to get us away from this, perhaps to destroy the place; or else to get us, as they suppose, into their power below this, and, as in such a case we would not suspect them, to get us into a council, and then do our business. Be this as it may, I treat the couriers well, and do not give the smallest idea that I doubt the truth of their report. On the contrary, I will encourage them to be on the lookout, etc. If there is any truth in their assertions, we shall know it in the course of three or four days by Lieut. Graham. The enemy will not reach this point, if the report is true, before twenty days."

~Captain T. G. Anderson’s Journal, 1814, from the Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, vol. 9, (1882).

"Tiah-na-zi, who volunteered his services as scout, reported that he had seen some Comanches and had given them chase. T...
08/18/2026

"Tiah-na-zi, who volunteered his services as scout, reported that he had seen some Comanches and had given them chase. They had doubtless obtained a glimpse of the main party and were not at all disposed to be overtaken. He soon after came to our camp in company with several Spaniards. When he first saw them he had raised the war whoop and started to give them chase, but they, finding themselves pursued by a single individual, awaited his approach. They proved to be a small party of traders, who had come out under the guidance of one of the Pueblo Indians, and told us they had been twenty days in reaching this place from Taos, in New Mexico. They were dressed in conical-crowned sombreros, jackets with the stripes running transversely, large bag breeches extending to the knee, long stockings, and moccasins. They were badly armed, and presented a shabby and poor appearance though we learned that they were a good specimen of the class to which they belong. They are called “Comancheros” and make frequent trading excursions into the country of the Indians with whom they exchange their stock for horses and mules, which the Indians frequently retake before they reach their homes. Their defenceless state gives the Indians little to fear. They suffer them to traverse the country even whilst they are at war with the Mexicans."

~Through the Country of the Comanche Indians in the Fall of the Year 1845: The Journal of a U.S. Army Expedition led by Lieutenant James W. Abert, ed. by John Galvin (1970).

A complete Russian samovar outfit for making tea, collected in Alaska.The maker's mark on the tray reads "Ф.ВЪТУЛІЪ" whi...
08/13/2026

A complete Russian samovar outfit for making tea, collected in Alaska.

The maker's mark on the tray reads "Ф.ВЪТУЛІЪ" which may be transliterated as "F. VETULIY"

“On the morning of the 15th [of November, 1866] we rose early, and, after travelling seven miles or so, met a large train of sledges accompanied by several Russians and Indians. They had been sent down by the head man, or ‘bidarshik’ of Nulato, to transport their own winter supplies, and to assist us. As it was arranged that some of our men should make the return journey to Norton Sound, a few days later, the Russians turned round, and went back with us. After about eight miles’ travel we reached Nulato, our destination, and made a grand entry with much noise and fun, and the firing of innumerable charges. All hands helped the sledges up the incline leading up to the station, and a few minutes later we were lunching at the ‘bidarshik’s’ table on raw salt-fish and bread. It need not be said that the ‘samovar’ had been prepared as soon as they sighted us in the distance. The poorest Russian never neglects the sacred rite of hospitality, and we pledged each other in massive cups of strong tea. Later in the day we had something stronger.”

~Travel and Adventure in the Territory of Alaska: Formerly Russian America — Now Called to the United States — and in Various Other Parts of the North Pacific, by Frederick Whymper — (1868) Chapter 15: “Sledge Journey to the Yukon — Continued.”

All beavers have a pair of scent glands called castors, at the base of their tails. These produce castoreum, which provi...
08/11/2026

All beavers have a pair of scent glands called castors, at the base of their tails. These produce castoreum, which provides each beaver with a unique scent. Trappers used castoreum as bait to attract beaver, and it is an important base for many expensive perfumes.

“July 26 [1800], Saturday. In the fore part of the Day we met twenty four Canoes from Athabasca loaded with twenty fire Packs of Furs & a nine Gallon keg of Castorum [i.e. Castoreum] each. They say they starved much on their way out, and for four Days ate nothing at all. To each we gave a reasonable Dram which made them almost forget their late misery. Mr. James McDougall a young Gentleman who has been in this Country two years accompanies them out to the Rainy Lake.”

~Sixteen Years in the Indian Country: The Journal of Daniel Williams Harmon 1800-1816, edited with an introduction by W. Kaye Lamb (1957).

“To the Indian trader on the frontier, good communication with his customers was just as important as his trade goods an...
08/06/2026

“To the Indian trader on the frontier, good communication with his customers was just as important as his trade goods and an interpreter was an essential member of ay trading party. Often, however, local commerce touched many neighboring tribes and had done so for years before the advent of the European trader. The obvious language barriers were broken down in a number of important ‘common market’ areas by the use of trade dialects and, on the Great Plains, by a highly developed sign language
The best known trade language, and the last to disappear, was the Chinook jargon of the Northwest Coast. The Chinook tribes dominated a large area around the lower Columbia river. They were very warlike and made a business of taking and trading slaves. Some of their best customers were the Nootkas who lived on the west coast of Vancouver Island and controlled the sources of the beautiful shells used as money by the coastal tribes.
A trade language of a few hundred words came into common use by all the neighboring Indians. Significantly, it was made up principally of Chinook words. There were a number of important words of Nootkan origin, like ‘tyee’ for chief, and a sprinkling of words from the Wasco, Kwakiutl, Klickitat, Chehalis and neighboring Salishan tongues. The languages of some of these tribes differed radically from others and development of the jargon was an amazing accomplishment. A few dozen words in the jargon were simply imitations of natural sounds, like ‘tum tum’ for heart and ‘puk puk’ for fight.”
{snip}
“[With the advent of white traders,] the jargon nearly doubled to some 800 words. Many of the new words showing French origin, others were English. The adopted words often lost something in the process for the Indians had to use P for F and R for L in talking and neither the Indians nor the English could pronounce the French nasal sounds. Le Mouton (sheep) became ‘lemoots’ and le doigt (finger) became ‘ledoo.’ Grease, fish, broom and molasses appeared in the jargon as glease, pish, bloom and melass. Other English words like man, ship, sleep, musket, skin and tea had less controversial sounds and were adopted without change”
{snip}
“Just as feudal monks preserved the literature of the ancient world so the missionaries have preserved written examples of forgotten Indian languages. Several of the dictionaries were results of missionary efforts and most of the literature in Chinook jargon is of a religious nature.”
{snip}
“Cut some wood — Mamook stick
I will give you half a dollar — Nika potlatch stickum dolla.
Do you understand English? — Kumtux mika Boston wawa?
How much is it? — Konsee chickamin tikeh?
The chief gives you this — Tyee potlatch mika iktah.
Trade with the American — Markook kopa Boston man.”

~Charles E. Hanson Jr., “The Chinook Jargon -- Trade Language,” The Museum of the Fur Trade Quarterly, vol. 1, no. 1, (Spring, 1965).

“CALICO derives its name from the province of Calicut in India, where it was chiefly made, and from which it was obtaine...
08/04/2026

“CALICO derives its name from the province of Calicut in India, where it was chiefly made, and from which it was obtained when originally imported into Europe. It was brought from India into England in 1631, where it was first manufactured about 1772.
The various kinds of calicoes made in England are, common plain white calico, usually called cotton cloth; Fents are remnants or pieces of this sewed together. Duck is a stouter kind; and Double-warp is still stouter. Calico shirting, or twine close, is a very even made calico, to imitate linen; a superior kind is called Patent-twist; the yarn is closer twisted than in common calico. Sheeting calico is a stout fabric, made used as a substitute for linen, and by many persons preferred, particularly in cold weather. Printed calicoes, or, as they are called, Prints, originally made in imitation of those from India, and are now manufactured of an infinity of patters, of which each year produces some new ones.
Calicos are frequently so full of dressing, a preparation of lime put in by the manufacturer, to make them of better color, that it is difficult to ascertain their quality; it is best, therefore, to chose calico, if possible free from dressing, and to see that the threads are straight and evenly woven.”

~The Family Encyclopedia, or Compendium of Universal Knowledge: Comprehending A Plain and Practical View of those Subjects Most Interesting to Person in the Ordinary Professions of Life, by Charles A. Goodrich (1850).

Spanish cannon from the 18th century, which was found in Kit Carson's home of Taos, New Mexico.“In the old Mexican town ...
07/30/2026

Spanish cannon from the 18th century, which was found in Kit Carson's home of Taos, New Mexico.

“In the old Mexican town of Don Fernandez de Taos, as we have before said, resided Kit Carson. A stranger entering this town, and especially at a little distance from it, is reminded of a number of brick-kilns just previous to being burnt. And all huddled together without any regard being paid to symmetry. In order to reach the Plaza, which is the main feature of attraction belonging to the town, the traveler is obliged to follow the crooks and turns of several unattractive streets. The home of Kit Carson faced on the west side of this public square. It was a building only one story in height; but, as it extended over a considerable space of ground, it made up in part this defect, and within, it was surpassed by but few other houses in the country, for the degree of comfort which it furnished to its occupants. On most any fair day, around the doors of this house might be seen many Indians of various tribes, who were either waiting for their companions within, or else for the opportunity to present itself so that they themselves could enter.”

~Kit Carson’s Life and Adventures, From Facts Narrated by Himself, by DeWitt C. Peters — (1873) Chapter 27: “The Commencement of a Formidable Indian War &c.”

July is the birth month of John Jacob Astor, German-born founder of the American Fur Company.“John Jacob Astor,” {snip} ...
07/28/2026

July is the birth month of John Jacob Astor, German-born founder of the American Fur Company.

“John Jacob Astor,” {snip} “was born in the honest little German village of Waldorf, near Heidelberg, on the banks of the Rhine [July 17, 1763]. He was brought up in the simplicity of rural life, but, while yet a mere stripling, left his home, and launched himself amid the busy scenes of London, having had, from his very boyhood, a singular presentiment that he would ultimately arrive at great fortune.
{snip} “An elder brother had been for some few years resident in the United States, and Mr. Astor determined to follow him, and to seek his fortunes in the rising country. Investing a small sum which he had amassed since leaving his native village, in merchandise suited to the American market, he embarked, in the month of November, 1783, in a ship bound to Baltimore, and arrived in Hampton Roads in the month of January. The winter was extremely severe, and the ship, with many others, was detained by the ice in and about Chesapeake Bay for nearly three months.
During this period, the passengers of the various ships used occasionally to go on shore, and mingle sociably together. In this way Mr. Astor became acquainted with a countryman of his, a furrier by trade. Having had a previous impression that this might be a lucrative trade in the New World, he made many inquiries of his new acquaintance on the subject, who cheerfully gave him all the information in his power as to the quality and value of different furs, and the mode of carrying on the traffic. He subsequently accompanied him to New York, and, by his advice, Mr. Astor was induced to invest the proceeds of his merchandise in furs. With these he sailed from New York to London in 1784, disposed of them advantageously, made himself further acquainted with the course of the trade, and returned the same year to New York, with a view to settle in the United States.
He now devoted himself to the branch of commerce with which he had thus casually been made acquainted. He began his career, of course, on the narrowest scale; but he brought to the task a persevering industry, rigid economy, and strict integrity. To these were added an aspiring spirit that always looked upwards; a genius bold, fertile, and expansive; a sagacity quick to grasp and convert every circumstance to its advantage, and a singular and never wavering confidence of signal success.

~Astoria, or Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains, by Washington Irving (1836) — Chapter 2: “The Rise of the Mackinaw Company &c.”

“Dersu walked slowly and, as usual, kept his eye attentively on the ground at his feet. Suddenly he stopped and, without...
07/23/2026

“Dersu walked slowly and, as usual, kept his eye attentively on the ground at his feet. Suddenly he stopped and, without taking his eyes off some object, began to remove his knapsack, lay down his rifle and prop, threw down his axe, and lay full length on the ground, and began praying.
I thought he had gone crazy.
‘Dersu,’ I exclaimed. ‘What’s up?’
‘Pantsuy!’ he cried. ‘Ginseng!’
Here there was a mass of herbage, but which was the ginseng I did not know. Dersu showed it to me. I saw a small, herbaceous plant about fourteen inches high, with four leaves. Each leaf consisted of five divisions, of which the middle was the longest, the outside ones the shortest. It had already flowered, and the fruit appeared. This was in the form of small, rounded cases, arranged like those of umbelliferous plants. The cases had not yet opened or scattered their seed. Dersu cleared the weeds all round it, then picked off all the seed-cases and tied them up in a bit of rag. Then he asked me to hold the plant up with my hand, while he dug up the root. He worked extremely carefully, taking every precaution to avoid tearing the fibres. When he had got it out he took it to the brooks and started carefully washing off the soil.
I helped him as best I could. Gradually the earth came away and in a few minutes we could examine the root. It was 4¼ inches long and forked, that is to say a male. So that was the famous ginseng, whose magic power is sovereign against all ills of the flesh and restores to the aged the vigour of youth!”
{snip}
“On the road I asked [Dersu] what he was going to do with his ginseng. He said he wanted to sell it and buy cartridges with the money. Then I decided to buy the ginseng myself, and offered him a better price than the Chinese would give. When I told him of this decision the result was quite unexpected. Dersu thrust his hand inside his jacket, pulled out the roll, and handed it to me, saying it was a gift. I declined it, but he insisted. I saw my refusal offended him, and so accepted. It was only afterwards that I learnt that it was the custom to repay gifts by gifts of equal value.”

~Dersu the Trapper, by Vladimir Klavdiyevich Arsenyev, translated from the Russian by Malcolm Burr (1923) — Chapter 15: “The Belling of the Wapiti”

Address

6321 Highway 20: 3 Miles East Of
Chadron, NE
69337

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

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+13084323843

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