Hudson's Bay Warehouse

The Hudson’s Bay Warehouse is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical value

The Hudson’s Bay Warehouse is a fully reconstructed warehouse that illustrates the fur trade, a significant theme in Canadian history. The building demonstrates the predominant role played by Lachine in the vast commercial trade network where such trade was lucrative owing to the favourable location of Lachine, being upstream of the rapids that block the St. Lawrence at Montreal. It was at Lachine that flotillas of westbound canoes were assembled, and where traded goods and furs were stored. This proved to be a very important economic factor for Lachine. Moreover, nearly every pelt that was shipped to Great Britain passed through this part of the junction in the system.

Architectural value

The architectural value of the Hudson’s Bay Warehouse lies in its fully restored form, which represents a mid 19th-century building in a traditional house form. Detailing includes dormer windows, rough masonry and a wood shingle roof. A building of utilitarian function, good craftsmanship and materials are noted in the masonry exterior.

Environmental value

The Hudson’s Bay Warehouse reinforces its mixed-use surroundings along the Lachine Canal, in the city of Lachine. Standing alone on Père Marquette Pier, the warehouse is a well-known landmark. Its presence has a considerable impact on Lachine owing to its role as a museum, which has made it a meeting place for people with local, regional and national historical interests.