Bridges to Buttes Byway
Museum of the Fur Trade, NE

The American fur trade was an important era in opening up the western part of the US. The Museum of the Fur Trade documents the lives of the British, French, and Spanish traders, voyageurs, mountain men, buffalo hunter, and Plains and Woodland Indians. The museum is located on the site of the original 1837 Bordeaux Trading Post. There are different collections in the museum, focusing on things such as the Northwest gun, textiles, beads, trade silver, and more. These items all point to the importance of the trade in the area. Many beads, silver, and textiles were important commodities in the trade. Another unique feature of the Museum of the Fur Trade is the Indian Garden. This garden hosts a botanical exhibit of authentic Indian crops. These were important to trading posts because Indian agriculture helped feed the crew at the fort.