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Rates and Programs
Daily Public Program Rates and Activities
2010 Hours of Operation and Rates
(Please note: Rates subject to change)
April 26 to May 21 and October 11 to October 29 (Monday to Friday)
May 22 to October 10 (7 days per week)
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:45 p.m.)
Special Offer: Purchase one Adult Admission at either Sainte-Marie among the Hurons or Discovery Harbour and receive 50% off one Adult Admission to the other site! Offer can be used to September 5, 2010. Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour are just 20 minutes drive from each other.
Rates (5% GST not included)
Effective July 1, 2010, the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will be charged to Admission fees where the tax is applicable.
Prime Season (May 22 - September 6):
| Adults | $11.25 |
| Seniors (65+) | $9.25 |
| Students (13+) | $9.75 |
| Youth (6-12) | $8.50 |
| Children 5 yrs. and under | FREE |
| Support person accompanying a paying visitor with a disability: FREE | |
Value Season:
April 26 to May 21 and October 11 to October 29
| Adults | $9.25 |
| Seniors (65+) | $8.00 |
| Students (13+) | $8.50 |
| Youth (6-12) | $8.00 |
| Children 5 yrs. and under | FREE |
| Support person accompanying a paying visitor with a disability: FREE | |
Visitor site maps of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Dutch, Polish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese and Standard and Simplified Chinese.
Please inquire about our family and group rates.
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Interac are accepted for historic site admissions. Current American dollar exchange rate is offered.
Policies
- Pets are welcome on a leash. Bags provided to "stoop and scoop".
- Smoking is not allowed on the historic site or outdoors in areas adjacent to historic or modern buildings. Smoking is only allowed in the vehicle parking area.
Public Program Activities
Come visit us: The Experience of Another Lifetime
Visitors to Sainte-Marie
among the Hurons can marvel at a world that existed over 350 years ago. This impressive reconstruction takes you back in time to a story of cultural
contact, determination, drama, and survival. A colourful audio-visual presentation
sets the stage for your journey. As you explore the site you'll sense the
challenges faced by those who founded and worked at this famous fortress-mission.
Throughout the summer, active demonstrations by historically-costumed staff
provide insight into 17th century European and Native culture, lifestyle,
and technology. See the Sainte-Marie story in more detail. Examine the original stonework and ingenious locked waterway,
try your hand at 17th century fire starting, observe historic
woodworking, and listen to traditional storytelling in the Huron Longhouse. An
award-winning interactive Museum provides a global context to complete
your visit. Site maps are available in English, French, German, Italian,
Spanish, Japanese, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Chinese, and Mandarin. The site complex also features an on-location
Restaurant and
patio decorated with a 17th century flair, and an extensive Museum
Gift Shop with a wide array of items complimentary to Sainte-Marie's
heritage.
Audio-Visual Presentation
This fascinating 20-minute audio-visual show introduces visitors to the dramatic story of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. History, and those who record it, can be approached from many perspectives. The Jesuit passion to share their beliefs, the Huron Nation's responses and indigenous culture, and the pressures of competing Iroquoian trade merge as the Sainte-Marie legacy unfolds. See the men who lived at Sainte-Marie. As observers from the 21st century, we must arrive at our own conclusions in the interpretation of this story. Come... see for yourself.
Locked Waterway
An intriguing site feature, the locked waterway forms the terminus to
a spring-fed canal that may have traversed portions of the Sainte-Marie
site. Interpretation of archaeological excavations in the 1960's initiated
the re-building of the locked waterway feature as an access system for
canoes arriving via the nearby Wye river. The locked waterway theory is
but one possibility - other assertions include identifying this archaeological
feature as simply a drainage ditch or an alternate source of fresh water
for the mission community. Throughout the summer, visitors are treated to an active
daily demonstration of the reconstructed waterway system, complete with
the "arrival" of canoes from the arduous 30 day journey from Quebec!
17th Century Carpentry and Blacksmithing
Exploring the European compound at Sainte-Marie puts you in touch with technology used four centuries ago. Some tools, such as block planes and braces and bits, have changed little over time. Making holes with the historic pump drill delights kids of all ages, and sharply contrasts to modern carpentry tools. The Blacksmith shop was originally staffed by a Jesuit lay brother. This "man of iron" fascinated the visiting natives as he executed his craft. Iron was scarce due to the difficulty in transporting it by canoe and so was used sparingly. Because coal was not available, Sainte-Marie's blacksmith would have often relied on wood embers for his forge making the heating of metal a challenging task. Items that were manufactured at Sainte-Marie included nails, hinges, spikes and small structural items.
Original Stonework
Over 350 years ago, Sainte-Marie flourished as an active community in New France and a founding settlement in Ontario. Carpenters, a farmer, and a surgeon were among the volunteers (donnés) and paid workers who built this mission headquarters for the Jesuits. 350 years later visitors may view the original remains which include bastion walls and three stone fireplaces. Specialists have painstakingly treated and conserved the fireplaces as they represent some of the most significant stone remains in North America. The fireplaces and ongoing conservation work can be viewed upon your arrival through the reconstruction's main entrance.
Historic Storytelling
Throughout the summer, Sainte-Marie's staff shares legends and stories reflecting Huron culture and spirituality. Themes are closely tied to the earth and nature, ranging from the compelling Creation Legend to colourful observations about the world's creatures and the role they played in Huron society. Stories are shared in the replica Huron longhouse as visitors gain an appreciation for Huron beliefs and traditions. More information on the Huron Wendat peoples.
Award-Winning Museum
After touring the historic site, the Sainte-Marie Museum provides a wonderful conclusion to the visitor experience. As you explore this interactive museum you'll discover superb exhibits, sound effects, and audio-visual presentations that position the Sainte-Marie story in a global context. Themes include Voyages of Discovery, 17th century France, New France and the Fur Trade, the role of the Canoe, Archaeology and Reconstruction, plus fascinating original artifacts excavated from Sainte-Marie.
Special Summer Activities
In July and August, visitors to the historic site can enjoy a variety of activities and demonstrations that reflect the 17th century heritage of Sainte-Marie. These include 17th century fire-starting, historic clothing and medicine, native games, 17th century music and historic cooking. Additional activities for children will feature quill pen writing, candle making and corn husk dolls.
See Additional Resource Materials on the history of Sainte-Marie, Wendat-Huron Nation
Questions or
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