Fort Normandeau Interpretive Centre

Fort Normandeau Historic Site is a special place that tells a multilayered story. Located by the Red Deer River crossing, used by First Nations to traverse the Red Deer River for generations, it was also a former stopping house, military fort, small NWMP outpost, and where Red Deer took root. A historic site since 1985, it underwent an exciting redevelopment as part of the The City of Red Deer’s centennial year, helping to reinvigorate this important historic site,

The redevelopment of the Fort’s Interpretive Centre exhibits created an opportunity to create an engaging and interactive experience which better reflects the importance of the site where the region’s three founding communities— First Nations, Métis and European— came together. An important aspect of the project was working in close collaboration with the public stakeholders and aboriginal communities to present a complete history of the Fort, including the sensitive and emotional history of the Indian Industrial School and burial site located across the river from the Fort.

Kubik and Lord Cultural Resources were contracted to provide turn-key exhibition development services. This scope of work included: interpretive planning, design and content development for the permanent interior and exterior exhibits, a revamp of the building façade and site entrance gate, and an orientation film production. Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer, at the exhibit opening in 2014, reflected that “Fort Normandeau is such an essential part of our Waskasoo park trail system and we’re just so pleased we’re able to revitalize the exhibits and commemorate our region’s rich history and interpret the past in a manner it is more deserving of.”