Place Fort La Tour

Place Fort La Tour is an interpretive complex in Saint John.  The National Historic Site is protected because of its archeological evidence of the storied trading post and fort of La Tour from 1631-1645 and the prior years of Aboriginal occupation and landing site used to portage the Reversing Falls. Glenn Group prepared the master plan in 2004 and in 2018 funding was secured to develop the site as an interpretive experience.

In 2018 we modified the concept from the 2004 master plan to match the available $2M budget. The project includes: two period buildings, a stone bastion and forge, hemlock log fortification walls and gates, plaza, stage, stone wall, pathways, lighting, furniture, signage, interpretation, landscaping and a washroom building. Heritage materials were sourced from across North America including the reuse of slate roofing that had been in storage at Marysville Place from the old Cotton Mill. We applied for all permits including Provincial Heritage and Building Permits.  The project was broken into 5 phases to match the sourced funding requirements: Shoreline Protection, Fort Construction, Furnishing and Landscaping, Interpretive Elements and Washroom Building.

The project was complicated in many ways by the phased receipt of funding from various parties and the fact that we could not excavate soils within the protected archeological zone. The project was tendered as one package excluding the interpretation and washroom building; however, only two bidders submitted, both very high prices. Instead, the client asked Glenn Group to serve as General Contractor to allow the project to happen. We engaged small construction companies and sourced out all the materials ourselves.

This is not intended to be a replica fort instead it is a representation, accurate in style and scale to the original fort and trading post.  The site will be used for sustainable experiential interpretation and special events. We worked with archeological records and with provincial archeologists and the NB Museum to ensure the design was appropriate.  The site matches in with, although more of a historical feel, the popular Harbour Passage coastal trail, also designed by Glenn Group.

This project responds to anticipated future flood levels.  Construction was made possible through creative engineering to found structures on shallow foundations and minimize trenching to avoid disturbing archeological ground.  Stamped wood pattern planked concrete flooring inside the structures provides a low cost and durable flooring treatment that is flood resistant.  The stone bastion includes a secure electrical vault and storage area behind the forge which will be used as a wood fired pizza oven.  The left over hemlock poles were used to frame the entry signs and to fabricate site furnishings.  The limestone retaining wall contains the plaza and harkens to the old stone foundations buried under the site.