Historical Society of Saginaw County




			The "Saginaw Voyageurs" are a living history re-enactment group of the Castle Museum. The Historical Society sponsors their members to participate in a re-enactment journey each summer of the routes of the original Voyageurs and fur trade canoes of the Great Lakes. The purpose of these trips is to better understand the Great Lakes Fur Trade, the life of the voyageurs, and the role Saginaw played as the fur trade center for central lower Michigan.
			The "Saginaw Voyageurs" often camp much as the Voyageurs did by over-turning the canoe and attaching a canvas lean-to, which will shelter them for the night. They may use tents if they are available. They generally will cook their own meals (Voyageur stew) unless a local village chooses to share their feast with them. The natives are always welcome to join us at our campsites.
					The original canoes were made from cedar with a birch bark skin attached with the white bark on the inside and the "olive" colored part showing on the outside. These craft were sturdy but light and could be carried on portage around obstacles, such as river rapids or waterfalls. The "Saginaw Voyageurs" canoe is a fiber-glass replica of the birch bark Montreal Canoe. The fiber glass gives safety with increased strength and durability, it weighs more than 600 pounds, which is

			about the same as its birch bark counter part. The canoe is 34 feet long, 5 feet wide, and will be paddled by 11 to 16 men. The canoe travels very fast in the water with the men paddling 60 strokes per minute for about 20 minute stretches. They then take a "pipe" break to rest while the canoe drifts dead in the water. They sing the songs of the Voyageurs to help keep rhythm while paddling. They also have a small tarp to use as a sail if there is a tailwind to push them along. The costumes worn by the men are reproductions of the dress of the period of the Voyageurs. It is often pointed out that they look like "pirates" and that is true as both are from the same era. The key is that the Voyageurs wore moccasins instead of shoes or boots. The clothing was a loose tunic or shirt falling below the waist over the pants or leggings with a woven sash and leg garters securing the outfit. A hat and pouch with a knife or pipe were worn along with Indian necklaces and silver trade items for display.