History among the Hurons
The ringing of hammer on anvil lures visitors to the smithy, where the resident blacksmith demonstrates his skill. Within the confines of the hospital, the heady scent of medicinal teas and herbs tickle your nose, while elsewhere you can sample 400-year-old recipes prepared fresh in the cookhouse. Black-robed Jesuit priests mingle with artisans, soldiers, fur-traders and Indians.
These are the sights, sounds, and scents of Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, a nationally historic site that recreates the 17th century headquarters for the French Jesuit mission in their attempt to convert the Huron Indians to Christianity. The experience of visiting Sainte-Marie is so immersive that, as you stroll through the premises, you’ll swear you were being transported back in time – more than 350 years back, in fact.
Sainte-Marie was founded on faith and optimism, but ended in bloody tragedy. In 1639, a handful of Jesuit priests arrived in the wooded homeland of the Huron Indians and erected a small, self-contained European settlement complete with two churches, a hospital, bakery, blacksmith, carpenter, cookhouse and granary. This was the first of several similar missions to follow throughout Huronia.
In 1649, the Iroquois Indians, enemies to both the Huron and French, led a violent raid into Huronia that razed villages and missions to the ground. Fearing for their lives, the Jesuits abandoned Sainte-Marie and burned the product of their decade-long labors to the ground. It was the end of a noble experiment.
For hundreds of years the ruins of the village and its memory languished in obscurity, but in 1967 a reconstructed Sainte-Marie opened to the public and to great enthusiasm. Since that time, exactly 40-years this summer, the site has allowed the story of the Jesuit missionaries to be told and provided a way through which the culture of their Huron Indian allies could be explored.
"We’re determined not to allow the damage of last autumn’s fire (which destroyed three buildings) to spoil the 40th anniversary of Sainte-Marie," enthuses Larry Ford, Saint-Marie‚s Information Officer. "Displays reflecting photographs and memorabilia of the past four decades are located in the Foyer and Museum, and of course we have a full slate of events running from now until December."
These events include Paddlefest in July, the Thanksgiving Harvest Festival in October, and First Light in late November.
Reconstruction of Sainte-Marie is slated to begin in the fall. The 12 buildings untouched by fire are generally staffed by costumed interpreters who demonstrate centuries-old skills, passionately share their vast knowledge, and add an air of authenticity to the living history museum.
July and August are prime times to visit with children, because during these months Sainte-Marie provides a host of activities specifically intended to appeal to the younger crowd. Kids can try their hand at 17th century fire-starting, listen to traditional storytelling in the Huron longhouse, play native games, enjoy 17th century music, craft cornhusk dolls and candles, and learn penmanship with quills.
A visit to Sainte-Marie is a great way to spend a summer afternoon. A few hours drive takes you to a world that existed more than 350-years ago, a place that will enthrall and entertain young and old alike.
