Fort de l'Île Sainte-Hélène

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The Fort de l'Île Sainte-Hélène, an historic site in Parc Jean-Drapeau that belongs to the city of Montreal, Quebec, was constructed in the early 1820s as an arsenal in the defensive chain of forts built to protect Canada from a threat of American invasion. Although not heavily fortified, it served an important purpose as the central artillery depot for all forts west. These included Fort Henry and Fort Lennox. The red stone used to build the Fort is a breccia quarried on the island, which is situated in the St. Lawrence River between the island of Montreal and the south shore.

After the British Army left the fort for ruin, it became part of the City of Montreal. In the 1930s, it was restored as part of a job creation project during the Great Depression. During the Second World War, it was used as an internment camp for Italian Canadians. During the summer months the Fort houses two reconstituted 18th Century regiments, The Olde 78th Fraser Highlanders, and Les Compagnies Franches de la Marine.

Today the Fort is also home the David M. Stewart Museum, an institution founded in 1955 to collect, store and display historical artefacts from Canada's colonial past, particularly that of New France. The museum collections include artefacts dating from the 16th century through to the 19th century. Both the Fort and the museum are open year-round.