Artifact Project

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Artifact Project

• The Red River Cart
• By Jessica

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Introduction

• First made appearance in 1801 at Fort Pembina,
  south of Us Border.
• Originally small, horse-drawn affairs, with
  three-foot solid wheels.
• Light box with pair of shafts, on axle, with two
  big wheels.
• Later larger wheels with four spokes were used.
• Carts moved single file, except when there was
  danger from the Native Americans.
• Drivers controlled five to six carts behind them,
  attatched to cart ahead.
• Long spokes in order to pass safely through fords
  and mudholes.
• Fairly light strong, and easy to repair.

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What Is It?

• Whole cart made out of wood.
• Best known symbol of Metis culture.
• A light box of with a pair of shafts, on axle
  with two big wheels.

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What Was It Used For?

• Used for carrying
• belongings, meat, and buffalo hides.
• Source of transporation.
• Transported goods from as far away as St.Paul
  from Selkirk.

• Could be used as a boat.

• First large scale transportation network
• in the valley.

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What Was It Made Of?

• Whole cart was made of wood.
• Wheels were wrapped with raw hide.
• No metal is on a Red River cart.

• That way, in case anything breaks, repairing is
  easier.
• Wheels were made of wood.
• Harness is made of buffalo hide.

Picture taken from http//newdeal.feri.org
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Harry Ford

• Harry Ford constructed carts.
• Constructed over 1350 Red River Carts in
  lifetime.
• Constructed small carts to large carts.
• Worked in Canada in building trade.
• Escorted Lord Grey, Governor General and Sir
  Wilfred Laurier.
• At 94 years of age, attended International Art
  and Craft Show.

Picture used with permission from
http//www.smd-services.com/images/photo_gal/SMD2
0ol26.JPG
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How Did It Assist the Fur Trade?

• First large scale transportation network in the
  valley.
• Carried goods as far away as St.Paul to Selkirk.
• Able to carry up to 450 pounds.
• Carts travelled all across the valley.
• Best known symbol of Metis culture.

Picture used with permission from
http//www.smd-services.com/images/photo_gal/SMD2
0ol25.JPG

• Carried meat, belongings, and hides from buffalo
  hunts.

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Interesting Facts

• Made a lot of screeching, could be heard from
  distance.
• Every cart made different sound, so you would
  know if a certain cart was coming from a
  distance.
• Noise made by carts, bounced over the prairie
  through hole ruts.
• When needed to cross water, took off wheels,
  (which were kept in place with a wooden peg) and
  created a raft or boat to cross rivers without
  having to unload cargo.
• Very dished so can be stretched together, so
  rawhide could be stretched over to make the boat.
• Single file trains of one hundred to two hundred
  carts went across Red River trails.

• Didnt use grease because it picked up tiny
  pebbles and would clog the hubs.
• If they used grease, and this would happen, they
  were forced to stop.
• Comfort was not expected nor provided.

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

• Click here to do quiz

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Bibliography

• Information
• http//www.gov.mb.ca/chc/archives/hbca/resource/li
  nks
• http//www.smd-services.com/about/photo_arch.html
• http//newdeal.feri.org/library/k11.htm
• http//collections.ic.gc.ca/humboldt
• Pictures
• http//www.smd-services.com/images/photo_gal/SMD2
  0ol26.JPG
• http//www.smd-services.com/images/photo_gal/SMD2
  0ol25.JPG
• http//newdeal.feri.org/images/k11.gif
• http//collections.ic.gc.ca/humboldt/images/down12
  a.jpg
• Cross Word Puzzle
• Red River Cart Puzzle