Fur, Trade and Barter: A Brief History of the Museum of the Fur Trade

I recently visited the Museum of the Fur Trade located in Chadron, Nebraska, a small town situated in the northwestern corner of the state. The museum is a unique place to learn about the fur trade industry during the 19th century, from its beginnings to its demise. I was fascinated to discover how the business worked and how it contributed to shaping commerce and trade in North America. The museum has a rich collection of items once used by fur traders, such as Native American artifacts, firearms, textiles, and clothing. It was intriguing to see how items would be traded for furs or other goods. The museum provided me with information on the history of trading posts and how they were established, along with their role in developing early American commerce.