The Fort was instead erected nine miles up river from the original site on a twenty-five acre plot of land, which is neatly tucked away from modern conveniences and is historically linked to the original Fort( Beginnings, retrieved September 24th 20003, http://www.oldfortwilliam.on.ca/text_version.html) In 1816 the site was used as an encampment by De Meuron troops who later helped Lord Selkirk of the Hudson Bay Company take over Fort William (Craig, Laura, personal. Communication, September 20th, 2003) .
Fort William was opened for public visitation on July 3,1973 with a ceremony attended by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, the Mayor of Thunder Bay and many people from near and far. In the beginning only three buildings were open for interpretation. The Fort has come along way in thirty years and now consists of forty-two reconstructed historical buildings at a cost to the province of 15 million dollars. On July 10th 1992 the new 5.5 million dollar Visitor's Centre had its grand opening. The Visitor's Centre conveniently locates the Reservation area, gift shop, seating area, Café Kaministiquia, reception area, restroom facilities, first aid room and storage area for wheelchairs and strollers right off of the lobby. (Visitor's Centre retrieved September 24th 20003, http://www.oldfortwilliam.on.ca/text_version.html, ) The fort being one of the largest living history sites in North America employs twenty-seven full time staff for interpretation, marketing, maintenance and clerical duties. (Craig, Laura, personal. Communication, September 20th, 2003) As well, the Fort contracts a seasonal and summer staff comprised mainly of 100 to 130 students. In addition to paid workers the Fort relies on the generosity of more than 1000 annual volunteers, to accommodate the 100,000 annual visitors and the more than two million guests since the gates opened.
Old Fort William is a provincially funded historic site, operated by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
