Even the transcontinental railway which severed about 20 meters from the northern part of the former fort lands and which is audibly intrusive, adds to the sense of continuity of place and richly illustrates the sequence of east-west transportation in Canada. The greatest threat to the historic place is that these features of the landscape are unknown and unappreciated. Views of the river are hidden by underbrush and trees and existing physical links are not readily apparent.
Integration of the fort to its setting is essential to the understanding of its role in the fur trade on the Pacific Slope. There are no trails, interpretive nodes and viewscapes on the national historic site property itself.
On the whole, the reconstructed buildings and structures added to the site since 1956 do not negatively impact on the Storehouse. Located on the approximate footprints of original buildings and palisades, these structures partly reestablish the historic spatial relationships of the fort and in their overall form, materials and construction systems help define the heritage character of the site. It is recognized that the north palisade, Coopering building and Blacksmith Shop are not in their historical locations in relation to the Storehouse but that they provide a functional link to historic activity on this side of the fort and provide a sense of enclosure.
Response to the compatible, contemporary design treatment of the 1992 Coopering Building has been mixed. For some observers, it is seen as too historic looking and therefore potentially confusing; and for others it is felt that it is incompatible with the heritage character of the site as established by the Storehouse and the earlier reconstructed buildings. The conservation challenge of any new building design within the palisade is to be compatible with the overall heritage character while meeting the principle of distinguishibility and contemporary requirements.
There is limited use of the historic place in conveying Fort Langley's messages of national significance. One particular issue concerns the perception that the historic place is limited to the area located within the palisade. Measures need to be taken to reveal and interpret the historic features of the landscape as described in the section on resources of national significance. At present, the visitor experience is limited to that portion of the historic site within the palisade. This appreciation of historic place should begin as soon as the visitor arrives. Thus orientation to the strategic location of Fort Langley in the Pacific Slope fur trade should be one of the first messages, followed by focus to the river and the fort setting through various means such as viewscapes, trails and interpretive nodes.
The full commemorative intent of Fort Langley is not being conveyed to the total visitor population and could benefit from a diversification of interpretive approach. A school program focusing on personal interpretation and period activities delivers an engaging presentation to students (17% of visitation). The messages delivered to the school groups are carefully orchestrated by staff to ensure consistency with commemorative intent. Feedback from teachers strongly support this approach, and some of Fort Langley's messages of national significance have been integrated into the British Columbia school curriculum. Communication of the complete range of messages of national significance is not as effectively presented to the casual visitor (83% of visitation). Two orientation videos, available in up to five languages, receive limited viewing due to poorly located theatre space. The visitor reception, site orientation, and communication of key elements of the site's significance are identified shortcomings, particularly for visitors not participating in organized school groups.
The complexity of the relationship between the Aboriginal people and HBC employees in the fur trade at Fort Langley is not well understood by visitors. There is a need to expand the interpretation of this integral element of the site's history. This has been recognized by site management as an issue, and ethno-historical research has been carried out since 1992, to provide a knowledge base to address this issue.
Although the activities in the interpretation program demonstrate elements of the functions of Fort Langley as a transshipment centre and interior depot, the relationships to other forts is not well understood by visitors. There is a need to provide additional information to visitors in this area.
Presentation of the coopering activity is carried out in the new Coopering building constructed in 1992. Coopering demonstrations are popular with visitors and contribute to understanding the diversified role of Fort Langley in the fur trade but there is a need to place the interpretation of the activity in context through the addition of didactic displays explaining the export trade in salmon and other commodities. A diversified approach to presentation inside the Coopering Building would also reinforce its character as a contemporary rather than period structure.
Fort Langley's yearly celebration of the birth of British Columbia, which has been strongly supported by government leaders and the community, and its Citizenship Courts bear eloquent testimony to the importance of the fort in the political evolution of this part of Canada. The awareness of this connection, and the geopolitical messages of national significance, should be promoted by explaining the larger fur trade story on the Pacific Slope.
The site's 72 year evolution as a national historic site should be acknowledged in the interpretation program.
For the visitor approaching the site, the overgrowth of brush and trees on the site obscure the view to the river, limiting visitor understanding of the topography. The siting and design of contemporary administrative and reception structures and their proximity to the palisade walls obscure the view of the fort limiting visitor understanding of its strategic location.
The buildings constructed since 1956 have helped to recreate some of the historic spatial relationships within the fort and to place the Storehouse in context. It is clear the original Storehouse is now part of a new whole, which is valued in the community and forms the identity of Fort Langley locally.
The community tradition of active involvement at this site continues, with ongoing involvement in the personal interpretation as well as the operation of a sales shop. Significant funding contributions were provided by the Friends of the Fort Langley Cooperating Association for the north palisade and gallery reconstruction and the northwest bastion reconstruction in 1990/91 and by the Fort Langley Legacy Foundation towards the construction of the Coopering Building in 1991/92.
MEASURES TO ENSURE COMMEMORATIVE INTEGRITY
Through the evaluation of the current situation, and in the context of CRM Policy direction, the following objectives have been identified for consideration in the development of strategies to ensure the commemorative integrity of this national historic site:
CURRENT AND POTENTIAL VISITOR MARKETS
A quick glance at Fort Langley's visitation shows that, over the last two decades, the number of visitors has declined. In the early 1970's, the site underwent interpretive development and the number of visitors grew, reaching a high of 134,371 in 1975-76. After the introduction of user fees in the mid-1970's, visitation declined by over 47% over the next decade. Since the mid-1980's, the number of visitors to the site has fluctuated on a yearly basis, ranging from a high of 87,619 in 1990-91 to a low of 68,500 in 1992-93. Although visitation has not regained its relatively high numbers of the early 1970's, there appears to have been some stabilization in the site's visitation in the last few years. In fact, the number of visitors at Fort Langley was 78,240 in 1993-94 and 79,868 in 1994-95.
Despite this apparent stabilization of the site's visitation, the overall market share of Fort Langley has continued to decline in the 1990's. Between 1986 and 1995, the population of the Greater Vancouver area increased by almost 24%. During this same period visitation to the site continued to hover at the 80,000 mark. Many factors can explain these figures. Among them is the failure of Fort Langley over the years to renew its presentation, putting the site at a disadvantage in attracting additional visitors, especially from the nearby market of Vancouver. One of Canada's major tourist destinations, Vancouver has many attractions in its downtown area that compete for similar market segments as Fort Langley and that are easier to reach and more well known. As well, the site's limited ability (i.e. adequate washrooms, food services, resting areas, meeting and activity areas for groups) to accommodate special tour or charter groups, one of the most important and growing markets in the heritage sector, can also explain the apparent stagnation in Fort Langley's visitation.
One of the objectives of the National Historic Sites Program is to foster knowledge and appreciation of Canada's past. National historic sites play an important role in making Canadians more aware of their common heritage. Recent surveys indicate that Canadians are interested in learning about their past and that national historic sites are among the country's most recognized national symbols. Therefore, the fact that visitation to Fort Langley has stagnated over the years and that it has not kept pace with increases in the local population is a matter of concern. New opportunities must be developed at the site to reach new audiences. In particular, since the Greater Vancouver areas is the destination point for many new Canadians, special efforts must be made among this audience to promote Fort Langley as a special place to learn about Canadian heritage.
Repeat visitation to the site is another matter of concern. While Fort Langley attracts some repeat visitors through special events and school programming, the long term growth for this site can only be ensured by increasing its repeat visitors. This can most effectively be accomplished by ensuring that the heritage experience offered at Fort Langley is more than a "45 minute experience". Through its renewed programming, the site must put in place a variety of experiences that will stimulate the visitors' appetite to know more about the role of Fort Langley in Canada's history and encourage them to come again.
The current visitor markets for Fort Langley are as follows:
The Fort Langley National Historic Site Business Plan has identified new market opportunities for the site. Based on the changing demographic characteristics of the resident market, local families represent a significant potential visitor market for the site. The population of the Great Vancouver area is expected to increase by a further 18% over the next decade. There is currently a high incidence of family households (4.8:1 on average) in the contiguous communities (Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford) to Fort Langley. This trend is expected to continue over the next decade. Another potential market for the site is the seniors and "near" seniors segment. This market will continue to grow over the next decade. The business plan calls for targeting this segment through the non-resident, organized tour bus market.
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: April 11, 1998