The Storehouse at Fort Langley’s National Historic Site. Built in 1840 for the fur trade, it is the oldest building in Langley.
Ellen Worrell from Milner relates the story of a unique carving project that helped preserve Fort Langley’s most important historic site.
John Worrell arrived in 1919 from the army. He was a musician and carver. In 1920 he carved a replica of the Fort with 17 buildings. In 1925 the Fort Preservation Society (Dr. Marr and G.F. Young) along with the Post # 4 Native Sons of B.C., New Westminster Branch, purchased the replica, displaying it in Vancouver and Fort Langley. They charged 10 cents admission towards fundraising at an event they held on the Fort grounds. The programme of events included games of chance and a dance in the Town Hall. The carved replica was on display in the old storehouse, one of the original buildings of the Fort.
With a donation from the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Municipality, they raised enough money to purchase the old company site from Charles Hope. They paid $1,500.00 for a 3 acre plot, set up a park area, with the remaining building used as a museum with the model on display. You can learn the whole story of historic Fort Langley at the Parks Canada National Historic Site. See more information HERE.